On Monday, September 2nd, Gavin Lux of the Los Angeles Dodgers made his long-awaited Major League debut and he did not disappoint. Lux collected 2 hits in 5 at bats in the game against the Colorado Rockies.
Previously, the second baseman spent the year tearing up Triple A, slashing an absurd .392/.719/1.197 through 49 games. His play caught national attention and earned him the ranking of 9th best prospect in the entire league on MLB.com. But because the Dodgers are teeming with major league talent, there was no room on the big league roster for Lux. It seemed as though Lux would have to wait until next year for his opportunity before an injury to Max Muncy, the starting second baseman, forced the Dodgers to call up their top prospect.
Lux’s promotion was the fulfillment of his childhood aspirations. “I think every kid’s dream is to get that call if you play baseball. A lot of time and hard work has gone into it. I think surreal is the best word for it,” he told reporters prior to his first game. Despite the wave of emotions that had struck him, the 21-year-old was certainly locked in by game time.
On the first pitch of his major league career, Lux turned around a 93 mile per hour fastball up the middle for a clean single.
He later scored in the inning when Joc Pederson doubled. Lux displayed great command of the strike zone in his second at bat, working his way to a 3-2 count. On the payoff pitch, he smoked a double to deep right field that one-hopped the fence.
Lux scored again, this time on a Pederson homer. After reaching base on a fielder’s choice and scoring once more, Lux made franchise history by becoming the first Dodger ever to score three runs in his debut.
Manager Dave Roberts was so impressed that he penciled in Lux to be the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter in their next game. The skipper gave his rave review of Lux saying, “He showed well. Taking good at-bats, and defensively he gets off the ball really well, moves really well.” If Lux can keep up this production, he will undoubtedly earn a spot on the Dodgers’ playoff roster and help the franchise in their quest to bring home their first World Series Championship since 1988.
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