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Despite what looks on the surface like a rude introduction to full season ball, Gavin Lux’s first season in the minors had enough silver linings to be optimistic still about his future. While Lux did little to assuage fears of a potentially low ceiling for a prep prospect, especially on offense, he still managed to do enough in the second half to warrant an possible promotion to High-A to start 2018. The biggest challenge for Lux going forward will be changing the way the former Dodgers’ first-round pick impacts the ball at the plate, hoping to lift more flies next year to improve a rather lackluster BABIP.
While Lux slid eight spots in the rankings from 2017, his grades remain much the same from the previous year. Lux’s plate approach showed polish, striking out just over 17% of the time despite a rough year at the plate, and walking in over 11% of his plate appearances. Lux was more of a threat than I anticipated when on the bases, stealing 27 bases in 37 attempts, showing more anticipatory instincts than raw speed.
To take advantage of those instincts, Lux will need to reach base more often in 2018, which will likely mean a needed shift in batted ball patterns. While Lux makes plenty of contact, his most common in play outcome was a ground out to the left side. To his credit you can see the improvements Lux has made to his swing in pregame video, further eliminating the hitch from his high school film and employing an elevated line-drive stroke.
The in-game film however shows a more parabolic swing path, with Lux often impacting down on the ball when he doesn’t catch the pitch out in front of the plate. Converting the cage swing to the field will be a necessary step in his offensive development, as he does have some power to tap into when he gets the ball in the air.
Lux may not have better than average power at his peak, but he’s got a strong frame for a shortstop and almost reached an .150 isolated slugging percentage in the second half of a tough hitting league. His power, however, was limited to his pull side, and even at his peak that will likely be the case given his swing and strength.
The biggest allure with Lux in the 2016 draft might have been the likelihood he would stick at shortstop, and his defense did not disappoint in 2017. Lux committed just 24 errors in 111 games, and though errors rarely tell the story for a teenage prospect, the low number does suggest some polish to his defensive game.
Lux is a quick-rather-than-fast athlete with good footwork and soft hands. He has a quick release and good accuracy that make his arm a plus as much as his arm strength does. He’s already filled out his frame some but shouldn’t worry about outgrowing the position.
“What they said is it doesn’t hurt to be able to play either way. If you can play short, you can play second,” Lux said. “For me personally it doesn’t really matter, I like both.”
Though his final numbers are lower than you would like from a first-round pick, Lux’s second half suggests he might be ready for the California League. Lux hit .336/.388/.467 in August, including three triples, and showed enough contact throughout the season to worry less about his ability to pick up pitches at the next level. While the California League is usually a lift for offense, I will be more concerned with his batted ball profile, hoping to see him cut down on his 52% ground ball rate. I’m not sure what a reasonable expectation in a percentage drop I should expect to see with improvement, but I would assume a drop to 45% would get him into double digit home runs and a much rosier batting average and BABIP.
Lux is just entering his 20s and obviously has time on his side to round out his offensive game. His ceiling may still just be that of solid regular offensively, but his ability to get on base and propensity for stealing bases at a safe clip could make him an interesting leadoff prospect down the road. His defense will be his primary calling card for reaching the big leagues and being a shortstop will have him more in demand for trade should his offensive numbers rebound some.
Whether he returns to Great Lakes at the start of 2018 or heads to Rancho Cucamonga, I don’t expect to see Lux at the major league level until at least 2021, given the lack of need for Los Angeles to push him. It’s not worth even discussing at this point if he eventually causes Seager to shift to third, as the offense has a ways to go to be starting caliber. Still, Lux is hardly a first-round bust and a case could even be made he’s performed to expectations outside of the raw batting line, but improved production will need to follow in 2018 to keep the label away.
2018 top Dodgers prospects
RK | NAME | POS | OD AGE | LEVEL | OVERALL | RISK | CEILING | PROS | CONS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RK | NAME | POS | OD AGE | LEVEL | OVERALL | RISK | CEILING | PROS | CONS |
16 | Gavin Lux | SS | 20.04 | LoA | 55 | 50 | 55 | should stick at SS, athletic, plate discipline at age | overall offensive ceiling, some hit struggles early |
17 | Jordan Sheffield | RHSP/RP | 22.10 | HiA | 55 | 45 | 60 | electric arm, + present fastball and CV, athletic | production doesn't match stuff, likely reliever |
18 | Imani Abdullah | RHSP | 20.11 | LoA | 55 | 45 | 60 | excellent frame, upside, feel for spin on CB | 17 a redshirt year, limited exposure, little stiff |
19 | Kyle Farmer | C/3B | 27.07 | MLB | 50 | 50 | 45 | good feel for hit, offensive profile at C, utility | more productive bench bat then starter, age |
20 | Caleb Ferguson | LHSP | 21.09 | HiA | 50 | 45 | 50 | K production, 3 pitch mix, command, feel for spin | upside more mid rotation, maxed out frame |
21 | Connor Wong | C/2B | 21.10 | LoA | 50 | 45 | 50 | versatile talent, good athlete for a C, solid power prod | some swing and miss, build not projectable |
22 | Josh Sborz | RHSP/RP | 24.03 | AA | 50 | 45 | 50 | high floor, command of three pitches, competitive | stuff has backed up this season, likely reliever |
23 | James Marinan | RHSP | 19.06 | ROK | 50 | 40 | 55 | projectable frame, flashes + SNK, chance for +CH | slurvy BB, more middle than upper rotation upside |
24 | Devin Smeltzer | LHSP | 22.08 | HiA | 50 | 45 | 50 | high pitchability, 3 pitch mix, throws nothing straight | fringe avg velo, 4th or 5th starter ceiling |
25 | Matt Beaty | 1B/LF | 24.11 | AA | 50 | 45 | 50 | excellent feel for hit, career production, game pop | limited ceiling, future defensive home |
26 | Andrew Sopko | RHSP | 23.08 | AA | 50 | 50 | 45 | 3 pitch mix, pitchability, command, deceptive | velo can be fringy, bottom rotation upside |
27 | Ariel Sandoval | CF/RF | 22.05 | HiA | 50 | 35 | 60 | livey athlete, raw power, arm, 2nd half production | too raw at plate, noisey set-up, high swing and miss |
28 | Tim Locastro | SS/2B/CF | 25.09 | AAA | 50 | 45 | 45 | good bat to ball skills, high steal rate, versatile | fringe pop, stretched at SS and CF, upside |
29 | Jake Peter | 2B/SS | 24.11 | AAA | 50 | 45 | 45 | fluid LH swing, arm strength, versatile | utility/bench upside, ? on overall pop |
30 | Yaisel Sierra | RHRP | 27.01 | AAA | 50 | 40 | 50 | good velo, SL will flash +, quick arm | command, incon. release, FB can be straight |
31 | Wilmer Font | RHSP/RP | 27.10 | MLB | 50 | 40 | 50 | excellent K production, rise on FB, + SL | age, previous command issues, upside |
32 | Ibandel Isabel | 1B | 22.09 | HiA | 50 | 30 | 60 | ++ raw power, physical build, strength | huge swing and miss, poor defender, raw |
33 | Mitchell Hansen | CF/RF | 21.11 | SS | 45 | 40 | 55 | chance for 5 tools, upside, projectable frame | struggling to break full season, swing and miss |
34 | Errol Robinson | SS | 23.06 | AA | 45 | 45 | 50 | smooth infield actions, throwing arm, solid athlete | better long speed than SB threat, off. ceiling |
35 | Johan Mieses | RF/CF | 22.09 | AA | 45 | 40 | 55 | impressive arm, defensive ceiling, raw power | serious swing and miss concerns |
36 | Omar Estevez | 2B/SS | 20.01 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 55 | added defensive versatility, some feel for hit | production stagnated at Hi A, power potential |
37 | Donovan Casey | CF/RF | 22.01 | SS | 45 | 45 | 50 | twitchy athlete, production, solid bat to ball skills | ceiling more 4th OF than starter, power ceiling |
38 | Edward Paredes | LHRP | 31.06 | MLB | 45 | 45 | 45 | K production, tough on LHH, + SL | age, one pitch reliever, LOOGY upside |
39 | Rob Segedin | 3B/LF | 29.05 | MLB | 45 | 45 | 45 | hit vs lefties, gets most of tools, avg pop | bench bat upside, limited defender, upside |
40 | Drew Jackson | SS/2B | 24.09 | AA | 45 | 40 | 50 | elite athlete, + to ++ speed and arm strength | offense improving but limited ceiling, utility upside |
41 | Wills Montgomerie | RHSP/RP | 22.10 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | spin rate, durable build, flashes + velo and CV | uneven production, command wavers |
42 | Cody Thomas | RF | 23.06 | LoA | 45 | 35 | 55 | great build, good athlete, chance for above avg pop | still raw, swing and miss concerns |
43 | Jesen Therrien | RHRP | 25.00 | AAA | 45 | 45 | 45 | SL flashes +, good command and K production | TJ wipes out '18. middle relief/ROOGY upside |
44 | Carlos Rincon | RF | 20.06 | SS | 45 | 35 | 55 | big raw power, physical upside, bat speed | pretty raw offensively, serious swing and miss |
45 | Kyle Garlick | CF/RF/LF | 26.02 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | productive, feel for hitting, avg pop | 4th outfielder profile, age, fringe speed |
46 | Luke Raley | LF/RF | 23.06 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 50 | muscular build, chance for above avg pop | just avg bat speed, possible swing and miss |
47 | Luis Paz | 1B/C | 21.09 | SS | 45 | 40 | 50 | power production, bat speed, strong build | ? on ultimate defensive home, avg athlete |
48 | Riley Ottesen | RHRP | 23.05 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | good velo, will flash + SL, arm speed | poor college production, likely reliever only |
49 | Rylan Bannon | 3B | 21.11 | SS | 45 | 45 | 45 | college/pro production, good feel for hit, game pop | skills over tools, ceiling, possible utility upside |
50 | Leo Crawford | LHSP | 21.01 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | solid production, command of 3 pitch mix | fringe velo, not as projectable, likely back end |
51 | Zach Reks | LF/RF | 24.05 | HiA | 45 | 45 | 45 | feel for hit, on base skills, productive | - power, age, 4th OF profile |
52 | Romer Cuadrado | LF/RF | 20.08 | SS | 45 | 35 | 55 | excellent frame, chance for + raw power | development lagging behind age, swing and miss |
53 | Ryan Moseley | RHRP | 23.06 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | chance for ++ snk, big groundball potential | struggles with command, results don't match stuff |
54 | Jared Walker | 3B/RF | 22.02 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | + size/athleticism combo, chance for hit/power, + arm | raw, buggy whip swing, error prone in IF |
55 | Zach Pop | RHRP | 21.06 | NA | 45 | 40 | 50 | good life/velo combo on FB, solid build, poss. CH | mid relief profile, SL loses shape in low slot |
56 | Corey Copping | RHRP | 24.03 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | good SL, bulldog mentality, decent production | FB velo avg to fringe, middle relief ceiling |
57 | Shea Spitzbarth | RHRP | 23.06 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | agressive mound demeanor, arm strength, CV | middle relief upside, maxed out frame, size |
58 | Layne Somsen | RHRP | 28.10 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | tough overhead BB, production, athletic | limited mid relief ceiling, age, avg FB velo |
59 | Tony Gonsolin | RHRP | 23.11 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 50 | arm speed, flashes + SL, solid K production | lithe build, not quite late relief upside |
60 | Alfredo Tavarez | RHSP/RP | 20.04 | LoA | 45 | 35 | 50 | king sized frame, arm strength, K production | still raw mechanically, repeating arm slot, command |
61 | Aneurys Zabala | RHRP | 21.03 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | will flash ++ arm strength, some feel for spin | relief profile, command, limited physical upside |
62 | Michael Boyle | LHSP | 23.11 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 45 | pitch movement, pitchability, 3 pitches | no plus pitch, fringy velo, #5 starter/swingman |
63 | Jefrey Souffront | 2B/3B | 20.11 | ROK | 45 | 35 | 50 | some feel for hit, quick bat, mature plate approach | distance from the majors, build not projectable |
64 | Jacob Amaya | SS/2B | 19.02 | ROK | 45 | 35 | 50 | chance to stick at SS, good athlete, some feel for hit | distance from majors, offensive ceiling |
65 | Ronny Brito | SS | 19.00 | SS | 45 | 35 | 50 | infield actions, long athlete, chance to hit | ? on overall offensive potential, far from majors |
66 | Logan Crouse | RHRP | 21.04 | LoA | 45 | 35 | 50 | size, projectability, athleticism in delivery, arm action | Fringy present velo, lots of projection left |
67 | Chris Mathewson | RHSP/RP | 21.10 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 45 | SNK/SL mix, solid production, command | back of rotation, middle relief upside, fringe velo |
68 | Adam Bray | RHSP | 24.11 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 45 | durability, feel for spin, good command | fringe starter upside, upside, avg K potential |
69 | Brian Moran | LHRP | 29.06 | AA | 40 | 40 | 45 | funk in delivery, tough in LHH, K potential | limited ceiling, fringe velo, age |
70 | Nolan Long | RHRP | 24.02 | HiA | 40 | 40 | 45 | long frame, athletic for size, FB flashes + | long levers to control, command, likely reliever |
71 | Mike Ahmed | 1B/3B | 26.02 | AA | 40 | 40 | 45 | productive in '16, swing plane, avg pop | bat speed, age, limited upside |
72 | Nathan Witt | RHRP | 21.11 | ROK | 40 | 35 | 50 | good build, projectable, arm strength | project arm, distance from majors, relief upside |
73 | Travis Taijeron | LF/RF | 29.02 | AAA | 40 | 40 | 45 | good career power production, physical build | age, defensive upside, swing and miss concern |
74 | Jacob Scavuzzo | LF | 24.02 | AAA | 40 | 40 | 45 | solid tool profile, still a chance for upside | game going backward, struggling hit tool |
75 | Max Gamboa | RHRP | 22.04 | ROK | 40 | 35 | 50 | excellent arm strength, + to ++ velo, good frame | production does not match stuff, incon. SL |
76 | Dean Kremer | RHRP | 22.03 | HiA | 40 | 40 | 45 | decent athleticism and frame, K production, sink on FB | was hit hard in HiA. Homer prone, no + pitch |
77 | Moises Perez | 2B | 20.08 | LoA | 40 | 40 | 45 | loose athlete, some feel for hit | offensive ceiling, lower on defensive spectrum |
78 | Isaac Anderson | RHSP/RP | 24.07 | HiA | 40 | 40 | 45 | versatile arm, some SNK on FB, avg SL | no plus or above avg tool, low ceiling, taxi arm |