Dodgers Pick High School Shortstop Gavin Lux - Welcome to the Blue!

With the 20th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft the Dodgers pick Gavin Lux in the first round. He is an 18-year old shortstop from Kenosha, Wisconsin.  In fact, he is the highest drafted player from the state of Wisconsin.  Lux stands 6' 2", bats from the left side of the plate and throws right-handed.  You can follow him on twitter here: @TheRealGavinLux. 

I'm a Dodger!!!!!!!!

— Gavin Lux (@TheRealGavinLux) June 10, 2016

As for some background, here are some reports. Per the MLB.com website:

Lux won't be able to match the Draft status of his uncle Augie Schmidt, the No. 2 overall pick and the Golden Spikes Award winner in 1982 who's currently the head coach at NCAA Division III Carthage (Wis.). Nevertheless, he's a top prospect in his own right and has a chance to become the highest-drafted Wisconsin position player since the Mets popped Scott Servais in the second round 31 years ago. The second-best high school shortstop available, trailing only Puerto Rico's Delvin Perez, Lux was generating first-round buzz as the Draft approached. Because he grew up around his uncle's program, Lux has advanced instincts in all phases of the game. His tools are catching up, as he has improved his strength, swing, speed and arm in the last year. He has worked to eliminate a hitch in his left-handed stroke, which has enough bat speed and leverage to produce 15 homers per year. After previously seeming destined for second base, Lux now should be able to remain at shortstop. His arm strength and speed are at least solid -- some evaluators grade them as pluses -- and he has reliable hands. He's committed to Arizona State but figures to get drafted too early to make it to Tempe.

You gotta like that he has had some good Baseball tutelage.  Via a scouting report by Hudson Belinsky at Baseball America:

“He’s pretty much been my mentor, he’s pretty much taught me most of the things I know,” Lux said of his relationship with Augie Schmidt, who never reached the majors. Schmidt understands what it means to fail, and he’s helped guide Gavin in the right direction. “Not only with the physical and mechanical side of baseball, but also with the mental side … you have to try to stay even-keeled because one day you could hit two home runs, and the next day you could strike out four times. So you can’t get caught up in the highs or lows.”

Here are some other reports and stories worth checking out:

• Via John Sickels at Minor League Ball; "2016 MLB Draft: Gavin Lux, SS, Kenosha, Wisconsin."

A left-handed hitter, he has a line drive bat with sneaky power. His strike zone judgment is considered sound and the improved strength has boosted his power potential. While he'll never be a masher, he should be an effective line-drive hitter with very good on-base skills and enough speed to be a danger on the bases.

• Via Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel; "Indian Trail's Gavin Lux eyes piece of state history in draft Thursday."
• Via Brian Bilek at Chicago Now; "Draft Preview: Gavin Lux - Indian Trail Academy (Kenosha, Wisconsin)."

Lux has a professional attitude and demeanor. Scouts and coaches rave about his makeup. And for as exciting as his character and work ethic are, he’s able to match them with his tools. The circumstances surrounding Lux’s development to this point aren’t exactly normal. He’s had quality coaching and exposure to the type of competition that few cold-weather players have the opportunity to see. He’s been nurtured into a top prospect.

In honor of his selection by the Dodgers I decided to make a couple fantasy Baseball cards of him.  For the card on the left I using a photo taken from PerfectGame.com and the 1989 Topps Baseball card design.  For the card on the right I grabbed another photo taken from Baseball America and the 1989 Upper Deck Baseball card design.

UPDATE:  Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected Indian Trail High School (Kenosha, WI) shortstop Gavin Lux with their first pick (20th overall) in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed hitting shortstop hit .531 (43-for-81) with six home runs, 10 doubles, four triples, 31 RBI and stole 23 bases this spring. He also drew 29 walks, while only striking out twice in 26 games in 2016. Lux, 18, was rated by Baseball America as the fourth-best shortstop in the 2016 draft and was the 36th overall prospect. He was also named the Gatorade State player of the year for the state of Wisconsin.

“We’re really excited that we were able to select Gavin,” said Dodger Director, Amateur Scouting Billy Gasparino. “We think he’s a bright young man with a lot of ability and comes from a baseball family. He is a pure shortstop that can run, hit, and hit with power from the left side.”

Lux’s uncle, Augie Schmidt, was the second-overall pick in the 1982 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and is currently the coach for Division III Carthage College.

This marks the first time that the Dodgers have selected a position player with their first overall pick since Corey Seager in 2012. Los Angeles has selected a pitcher with their first pick of the draft in 10 of the last 12 years.

Lux was scouted by Dodger area scout Trey Magnuson. 

UPDATE II:  Here's excerpt from another press release by the Dodgers:

Lux, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed hitting shortstop, hit .531 (43-for-81) with six home runs, 10 doubles, four triples, 31 RBI and 23 stolen bases this spring. He also drew 29 walks, while only striking out twice, in 26 games in 2016. Lux, 18, was rated by Baseball America as the fourth-best shortstop in the 2016 draft and was the 36th overall prospect. He was also named the Gatorade State player of the year for Wisconsin.

“He has a lot of athleticism, has really good hands and has enough arm strength to stay at shortstop,” said Dodger Director of Amateur Scouting Billy Gasparino. “He is a very good baseball player, and we really think he has a good chance to be a really good hitter at the Major League level. He has a great mix of talent and skill, and has a very high character.”

Lux was scouted by Dodger area scout Trey Magnuson and it marked the first time that the Dodgers selected a position player with their first overall pick since Corey Seager in 2012. Los Angeles has selected a pitcher with their first pick of the draft in 10 of the last 12 years.

UPDATE III:  Cary Osborne at Dodgers Insider has put up a great story about Lux; "Dodgers’ No. 1 Lux ready to start pro career now; Gasparino breaks down day’s draft."

On knowing fellow Wisconsinite A.J. Ellis:
“Over the winter the past two or three years he comes back to Wisconsin. He’s worked out, lifted and hit at the same facility that I do in the winter, so I’ve gotten to talk with him. He’s had a lot of good insight on a lot of things.”

On signing with the Dodgers:
“Right now I’m definitely, I want to play professional baseball. I’m kind of set on doing that. For me right now I just want to get out there and get going as soon as possible. I’m pumped up to start my career right now.”

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