When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim this past offseason, they made sure to say all the right things publicly. Gavin Lux, they claimed, would still have a role. They were professional about it — polite even. But behind the scenes, it was clear that Lux had become expendable thanks to their suddenly overflowing infield depth.
And it didn’t take long for them to prove what everyone already knew they were going to do. The Dodgers shipped Lux off to the Cincinnati Reds for a package that included the 37th overall pick in the competitive balance round of the upcoming 2025 MLB Draft and outfield prospect Mike Sirota. No grand announcements. No messy explanations. Just a clean break.
Lux, instead of saying anything out loud, has decided to let his play do all the talking. Twenty-seven games into the regular season, he’s slashing .352/.438/.474 with a home run and 14 RBI. He’s already worked 14 walks and is sporting a career-best 151 OPS+. Lux went 3-for-3 during Monday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, and now leads the entire National League in batting average. It’s the best start of his six-year major league career — and it’s coming at the perfect time.
Reds infielder Gavin Lux is quietly making the Dodgers regret their decision
Lux, a former first-round pick of the Dodgers in 2016, never exploded as a power hitter, but he did show flashes of some pop at the plate. Just last year, he posted career highs with 10 home runs, 50 RBI, and a solid 101 OPS+. He was coming off arguably the best season of his career. But the Dodgers, chasing even bigger upgrades, decided he no longer had a seat at the table.
After signing Kim, the Dodgers treated Lux like damaged goods. And so far, that perception couldn’t be further from reality. On a Reds team desperately needing offensive production, Lux has provided exactly what they needed. Steady contact, plate discipline, and an undeniable spark.
