The Dodgers selected Wisconsin high school shortstop Gavin Lux with the 20th overall pick in the draft Thursday. Lux, 18, is committed to Arizona State University and was recently named the Gatorade State player of the year for the state of Wisconsin.
Baseball America called Lux “a slick-fielding, quick-twitch shortstop with a chance to develop into a true five-tool player.” MLB.com notes that Lux “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 is a pure shortstop that can run, hit, and hit with power from the left side,” Dodgers amateur scouting director Billy Gasparino said in a statement released by the team.
Trey Magnuson was the Dodgers’ area scout who identified Lux.
The Kenosha (WI) News reported that Lux is the first Wisconsin High School player selected in the first round of the draft since 1979. Lux told the publication he’s been through “psychological tests, personality tests, eye tests.”
See if he passes the eye test for yourself. Baseball America uploaded this video of Lux at the plate:
Here’s another video courtesy of Prospect Pipeline:
Lux’s uncle, Augie Schmidt, was the second overall pick in the 1982 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Schmidt coaches at a Division III college nearby to Indian Trail, where Lux attended.
Pretty cool seeing Coach Schmidt throwing BP to Gavin Lux at today's pre-draft workout. #mlbdraft pic.twitter.com/jtp2CAbGtX
— Hampshire Baseball (@WhipsBaseball) June 3, 2016
Lux posted impressive numbers at a combine workout in February:
WI: #Super60 Stats: Gavin Lux (@TheRealGavinLux) Tied best IF velo at 90 mph. 93 mph exit velocity, 6.86 runner.
— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) February 8, 2016
Here’s a recent interview Lux gave to a local TV station in Kenosha:
The Dodgers also have the 32nd and 36th picks as compensation for Zack Greinke and Kyle Funkhouser, respectively. They have one second-round pick, 65th overall.
Each team has a total bonus pool to negotiate with their draft picks, a maximum sum of money they can give to all of their picks. The No. 20 pick has an assigned slot value of $2,316,300. Gasparino said Wednesday he expects their first pick will sign for slot value or above.