Topps Gypsy Queen isn’t new, but it’s an interesting and worth collecting brand for some collectors/fans who like the throwback designs. I usually buy some packs every year to see if I can get some cool rookie cards. Luckily, I got a Gavin Lux rookie card and a Roberto Clemente short print (1:24 hobby packs, 1 per box).
Gavin Lux is the No.1 prospect of the Dodgers and ranks the second among all MLB prospects according to MLB ranking 2020. Lux made it to the big league in September, 2019. He played 23 games last season, also played 4 games in the NLDS.
Gavin Lux
(Regular Season, 2019) |
Gavin Lux
(NLDS, 2019) | |
75
|
AB
|
9
|
2
|
HR
|
1
|
9
|
RBI
|
1
|
24
|
SO
|
6
|
.240
|
BA
|
.222
|
.305
|
OBP
|
.300
|
.705
|
OPS
|
.856
|
Lux did hit a long ball in the NLDS, but other than that, he struggled at bat. And looked at his regular season stats, I somehow think if the Dodgers rushed him to the playoffs. In the 2015 NLDS, the Dodgers' manager Don Mattingly decided to add Corey Seager to the roster because he played very well after he was called up in September.
Corey Seager
(Regular Season, 2015) |
Corey Seager
(NLDS, 2015) | |
98
|
AB
|
16
|
4
|
HR
|
0
|
17
|
RBI
|
0
|
19
|
SO
|
8
|
.337
|
BA
|
.188
|
.425
|
OBP
|
.235
|
.986
|
OPS
|
.485
|
Gavin Lux did not impress fans in the first month of his Major League career as he did in the Minor League. His stats were not convincing in comparison with Corey Seager. But why did Dave Roberts and the front office decide to have him on the playoff roster?
1. Only 2 of Washington Nationals’ pitchers are left-handed
Look at Nationals’ pitchers, only Patrick Corbin and Sean Doolittle are lefties. Dodgers might want to have a powerful and left-handed lineup against the top arms Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and other righties. Thus, not only Gavin Lux but also Matt Beaty was on the NLDS roster.
2. Lux had 3rd most PA of the Dodgers in September
Name
|
PA
|
Cody Bellinger
|
95
|
Corey Seager
|
90
|
A.J. Pollock
|
82
|
Gavin Lux
|
82
|
Chris Taylor
|
76
|
Lux had plenty of opportunities after being called up. The Dodgers seems quite confident in him, believing that he’s the same guy as he was with the OKC Dodgers. Also, Max Muncy was placed on the IL in late August. That gave Lux a good chance to start at second base last September.
3. Dodgers’ offense in September
Name
|
BA (Min PA: 30)
|
Joc Pederson
|
.344
|
Russell Martin
|
.296
|
Corey Seager
|
.291
|
Cody Bellinger
|
.280
|
A.J. Pollock
|
.276
|
Chris Taylor
|
.250
|
Gavin Lux
|
.240
|
Max Muncy
|
.222
|
Justin Turner
|
.185
|
“Gavin Lux, this is a guy that’s going to be on our roster and he’s going to play. He’s earned it. I like his head, the athleticism.” Dave Roberts said in the conference before 2019 NLDS. If you see Dodgers infielders’ stats in September, Gavin Lux was not that bad. Muncy was activated from IL in mid-September and didn’t play much that month. Justin Turner ‘s and Kike Hernandez’s BA didn’t even reach .200.
Not all players like Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger can hit and play well once call-up. Gavin Lux definitely has strong potentials to be a decent player and the Dodger front office and coaching staffs believe that he can make an impact in the big league, so they didn’t put Lux in the trade with the Indians for Francisco Lindor. However, the Dodgers have a very good lineup or can build several good lineups coming into the 2020 season, the team should be patient and see Gavin Lux become the one as the Dodgers expect him to eventually be.
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