Dodgers' unintentional challenge gave Reds blueprint for Gavin Lux usage in 2025

While he may not have a defined position on the field, Gavin Lux will be firmly entrenched in the Cincinnati Reds lineup during the upcoming season. The Reds swung a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the offseason to acquire Lux after watching the former first-round pick post terrific numbers over the second-half of the 2024 season.

Lux was in the lineup against his old team on Monday and fared well enough. Lux went 0-for-2 with walk. His two at-bats ended with a strikeout and a pop up. Oddly enough, all three of Lux's plate appearances came against left-handed pitchers.

The Dodgers, unintentionally, rolled out Anthony Banda, Tanner Scott, and Alex Vesia against the left-handed hitting Lux. Given Lux's history against lefties (.202/.279/.274), the results were about what you'd expect.

Dodgers' unintentional challenge gave Reds blueprint for Gavin Lux in 2025

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not intend to put his former player in a difficult spot. Roberts joked after the game saying, “He’s gonna probably be upset with me for running all those lefties out today." But Lux took the challenge in stride, saying, "I need to see guys like that anyways. It is funny, though, getting matched up with three lefties. It is what it is. It’s all fun.”

While it's obviously important during spring training for players like Lux, Jake Fraley, and Will Benson — all of whom who've struggled against left-handed pitching — to receive as many at-bats against lefties as possible, the fact are the facts. Lux should be platooned with another hitter and only step into the batters' box against right-handed pitching.

The Reds are still trying to figure out how and where to move Lux around around the diamond. While they've yet to give him reps in the outfield, Cincinnati's coaching staff sounds serious about sending Lux out to left field later in camp. But for now, the Reds have kept Lux on the infield dirt, including a start at the hot corner against his former team on Monday.

Lux can be a valuable piece of the Reds roster this season, but fans should not consider him an everyday player. A 17 wRC+ and 56 OPS+ against left-handers renders Lux virtually unplayable against southpaws. But Lux's 109 wRC+ and 110 OPS+ against right-handers will get him into Terry Francona's lineup on a fairly regular basis.

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