How Gavin Lux Injury Can Provide An Opportunity For Dodgers’ Michael Busch
We are now a few days removed from Gavin Lux’s devastating ACL injury that ended his 2023 season before it even began. Lux was finally preparing for a year in which he was going to be the team’s starting shortstop, and unfortunately for him (and the Dodgers), that will be put on hold for yet another year.
With Lux now out for the season, the Dodgers have an open roster spot on their 26-man roster. Moreover, without Lux and with Miguel Rojas becoming the everyday shortstop, the Dodgers now lack depth in the infield.
So, there’s a real opportunity for an infielder to have a strong spring, and sneak his way onto the Opening Day roster to provide some depth — and there may be no one in better position to do that than Michael Busch.
Busch was drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The 25-year-old has worked his way up through the minors, finishing in Triple-A last season. At the Triple-A level, he slashed .266/.343/.480 with 21 home runs, 79 RBIs and an impressive .823 OPS.
On MLB Pipeline’s 2023 rankings, Busch was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the organization, with an expected debut in 2023. If he can have a strong spring, he could be a real candidate to make the team’s Opening Day roster — and even get some real playing time in the infield.
Busch has played first base, second base and left field at the minor league level. While Miguel Vargas is expected to be the starting second baseman, there will be a lot of room for Busch to play in the infield, and potentially even in the outfield.
Busch has a great hit tool and has shown off the power early in his career. So if he can continue to have good at-bats and flash the leather, he may be able to sneak onto the Opening Day roster — or at least get to the majors sooner rather than later.
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