3 key Dodgers spring training roster battles to watch

2. Gavin Lux’s Fight for Infield Playing Time

The Los Angeles Dodgers might have a superstar on their hands in the form of former uber-prospect Gavin Lux, but this road goes both ways.

LA hasn’t given Lux a tremendous amount of playing time over the past several seasons, but he hasn’t exactly flashed his above-average tools and turned them into production, either. This is a championship window. A top prospect like Lux who doesn’t pop right away can hang around the bottom of the lineup or provide relief, but the temptation to grab Trea Turner is always going to be there.

Now, Lux remains toward the middle of the pack, as LA has brought back an All-Star infield this year while getting a few depth pieces back. Albert Pujols is out, but Freddie Freeman is in, with Chris Taylor, Max Muncy, and Trea and Justin Turner all requiring reps, too. The Universal DH will help, but it won’t help Lux all that much!

Add in Edwin Rios, returning from shoulder surgery, and Hanser Alberto, who the Dodgers believe in enough to give a second-year option to while DFAing Matt Beaty, and the equation stays difficult to crack for Lux. Watch him over the next several weeks as spring turns to May, June, July and the trade deadline. Can he finally get off on the right foot?