Gavin Lux Makes Seamless Transition

Gavin Lux (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

LOS ANGELES—For most first-round picks, the initial excitement and glamor is quickly replaced by early mornings, hot days in Arizona and the bus rides of Rookie ball to some corner of the country they had never dreamed of visiting before.

Gavin Lux, the 20th overall pick this year out of high school in Kenosha, Wis., made that transition this summer. The 18-year-old shortstop played 48 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League before finishing at Rookie-level Ogden.

“It was a fun first year,” Lux said. “I learned a lot (and) kind of learned how to go about business in a professional way, how to take care of your body, how to come out and go about your business overall.”

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Lux said he had to learn how to take care of his body while playing and practicing every day and getting to the field around noon for work.

The 18-year-old made the transition well enough to hit .296/.375/.399 in 56 games at the two stops. He then participated in instructional league in September. He showed the skill set that prompted the Dodgers to take him in the first round, according to farm director Gabe Kapler.

“Our scouting department flagged his strengths as defense and excellent control of the strike zone when he was drafted,” Kapler said, “and he displayed those qualities repeatedly over the course of this season.

“He is a natural leader who raises the bar for—and supports—his teammates. He came into instructional league taking charge of his own career, a critical aspect for our players, and his example stood out as inspiring to our staff.

“After seeing Gavin compete, we’re confident that he’s well-equipped to face pro baseball’s challenges with great poise.”

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL

• Top position prospects Cody Bellinger and Willie Calhoun got off to similar starts for Glendale in the Arizona Fall League. Bellinger went 5-for-20 in his first seven games and Calhoun 3-for-12 in four games, each with a home run.

• Third baseman Edwin Rios was named the organization’s minor league player of the year and righthander Brock Stewart the minor league pitcher of the year. Rios, 22, hit .301 with 27 home runs in 108 games across three levels. Stewart, 25, went 9-4, 1.79 with 0.95 WHIP over three levels as he rose from high Class A to the majors.