Dodgers might've stolen a slugging Gavin Lux replacement from Yankees this offseason

Feb 24, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Trey Sweeney against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Trey Sweeney against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers picked up a few notable prospects during the offseason that flew a bit under the radar thanks to all of the noise their big signings made — namely pitcher Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zyhir Hope in the trade that sent Michael Busch to the Cubs, and shortstop Trey Sweeney in the trade that sent Victor González and Jorbit Vivas to the Yankees. Ferris was Chicago's No. 9 prospect in 2023 and moved up to No. 6 with the Dodgers, Hope was unranked with the Cubs but No. 20 with Dodgers, and Sweeney was No. 7 with the Yankees and No. 21 with LA.

Sweeney's steep drop in MLB Pipeline's rankings probably had something to do with him missing a month of play in 2023 due to injury and his pretty average offensive performance when he was playing. He hit .252 with a sub-.800 OPS in Double-A. Still, he was an NRI at spring training, where he hit .300 with a .891 OPS over 16 games, and was moved up to Triple-A Oklahoma City for his first year with the Dodgers.

He's having himself a time down there in OKC as well; on Sunday, he had his second multi-homer game of the season with five RBI. It tacked on a game to his now 11-game hitting streak.

Trey Sweeney, former No. 7 prospect with Yankees, is red hot in Triple-A with OKC Dodgers

Sweeney's other multi-homer night was just last week on May 29, when he hit three out of the park and picked up a single for 13 total bases on the day. It sent his slugging percentage from .359 to .417, which improved to .450 after Sunday's game.

He's only had 53 games in Triple-A so far, but he could be setting himself as a prime candidate for a call up if the Dodgers can manage to shed Gavin Lux at the trade deadline, finally admit that Mookie Betts isn't a great shortstop and move him back to second. Sweeney can also serve as an alternative if they don't want to look outside the organization for a replacement (or if their preferred outside addition doesn't become available, whose name rhymes with Willy Adames). At the very least, they could give Miguel Rojas a more regular role at short and put Sweeney on the bench to get in a few major league reps.

Even if he stays in the minors for the rest of the season, he's making a great case for himself as one to watch in spring training next year, as he could be a breakout from camp.

manual