Top 5 MLB prospects who could impact playoff races
1. Gavin Lux
When he made his MLB debut at the tail end of the 2015 season, shortstop Corey Seager gave the Dodgers an immediate shot in the arm. He replaced past-his-prime former All-Star Jimmy Rollins and hit .337/.425/.561 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 27 games before going on to win the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year and finish third in the MVP vote.
The Dodgers don’t necessarily have a pressing need for an offensive upgrade anywhere in their top-ranked lineup, but that doesn’t mean they should hold back their best hitting prospect since Seager, shortstop Gavin Lux.
The 21-year-old infielder has rocketed up the MLB prospect rankings this year and is currently in the top 10 after starting the year outside the top 50. He is having an epic season, hitting .313/.375/.521 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 64 games at Double-A. Since being promoted to Triple-A, he has hit a ridiculous .443/.524/.828 with nine home runs and 29 RBI in 29 games. While the Pacific Coast League is well known for being an extremely hitter-friendly league, the numbers Lux is putting up are other-worldly.
The Dodgers are stacked all over the diamond, but Lux is just too good to keep down for much longer. He has added strength to his 6-foot-2 frame, especially in his legs. Combined with his already elite bat speed, Lux looks like a future All-Star. He is still slightly raw defensively, but the bat stands out and has him ready for the big leagues.
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If the Dodgers had wanted to acquire an elite closer like Felipe Vazquez or Edwin Diaz, they would likely have had to part with Lux. That would have been a trade that would have come back to bite the team in the long haul. Look for Lux to make his MLB debut before the end of the regular season and provide a spark as the Dodgers attempt to end their lengthy title drought.