Gavin Lux (28), who was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds due to Hyeseong Kim's rise, has raised his batting performance with back-to-back home runs.

On the 24th (Korean time), Lux was the designated hitter batting fifth in a spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians, held at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona, where he achieved 2 hits, including a home run, in 3 at-bats, driving in 2 runs and scoring 2, leading Cincinnati to a 13-2 victory.

In his first at-bat in the first inning, he was retired on a ground ball to first base, but in the third inning with one out and a runner on second, he launched a two-run home run. He hit a 90.9 mph (146.3 km/h) four-seam fastball from Cleveland's left-handed pitcher, Colby Allard, deep over the center field fence, traveling 415 feet (approximately 126.5 m).

This was Lux's second consecutive home run after he hit a solo shot on a high fastball at 95.7 mph (154.0 km/h) from Logan Gilbert in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on the 22nd.

Lux recorded a multi-hit game with a single to right in the fourth inning and, as of today, boasts a .300 batting average (12 hits in 40 at-bats), 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, 7 runs, 9 walks, and 12 strikeouts in 17 spring training games, with an on-base percentage of .440, a slugging percentage of .525, and an OPS of .965, indicating a significant increase in on-base percentage and improved batting productivity.

Lux is a former elite prospect of the Dodgers. Drafted 20th overall in the first round by the Dodgers in 2016, he made his Major League debut in 2019. Until last year, Lux played a total of 412 games over five seasons, recording a batting average of .251 (336 hits in 1,333 at-bats), 28 home runs, 155 RBIs, and an OPS of .709. However, he faced setbacks in his growth due to a right knee anterior cruciate ligament surgery from an injury during base-running in the 2023 spring training, leading to a year spent rehabilitating.

In his return season last year, he contributed to a World Series championship with a .251 batting average (110 hits in 439 at-bats), 10 home runs, and 50 RBIs across 139 games, but did not meet the Dodgers' expectations. Although he was a player with two years remaining before free agency, the Dodgers traded Lux after signing Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim for a guaranteed 3+2 years at $12.5 million, potentially up to $22 million. Three days after signing Kim, they sent Lux to Cincinnati, alongside minor league outfielder Mike Cirota, receiving a 2025 Draft Competitive Balance Round A pick in return.

The Dodgers opted to give up Lux as their starting second baseman due to their expectations for Hyeseong Kim. However, Kim struggled in spring training with a .270 batting average (6 hits in 29 at-bats), 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 4 walks, 11 strikeouts, and 2 stolen bases, leading him to miss the opening roster and start the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. The Dodgers are looking at Kim long-term, having given him time to adjust to his new batting stance.

Utility player Tommy Edman started at second base for the Dodgers in the two-game Tokyo series, but this is different from the team's original plan. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted, "We have players who can handle various positions, such as second base and center field. Edman will play every day, whether at second base or center field, but the remaining positions will change flexibly depending on the situation." Currently, if Andy Pahes struggles to perform as the center fielder, the Dodgers may regret trading Lux.

Lux is determined to succeed in Cincinnati. He covers not only his primary position at second base (2 games, 7 innings) but also third base (11 games, 59 innings) and left field (2 games, 11 innings). He stated, "Someone could get injured, and someone might need a day off. I am willing to play anywhere except catcher." It is interesting that he is showing the multi-position capabilities needed by the Dodgers.

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