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PBR Draft 100: An Inside Look At Gavin Lux

December 9, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

Recently our National Supervisor, Nathan Rode, released our PBR Draft 100. The PBR Draft 100 ranks the top high school prospects eligible for the 2016 MLB draft, including players outside of Prep Baseball Report’s coverage area of 27 states. This list is compiled after months of seeing games across the country and conversations with scouts and college recruiters.

These types of lists come out every year by multiple publications and you’ll see them more frequently the closer we get to June. But rarely is the state of Wisconsin represented as well as it is this year in terms of high school draft prospects. It’s rare to see even one high school prospect taken out of the Badger State, but our PBR Draft 100 includes three Wisconsin natives, all of which will get carefully scrutinized by MLB scouts and cross-checkers over the next six months leading up to the MLB Draft in June.

One of those prospects under the microscope will be SS Gavin Lux (Indian Trail HS). No stranger to the spotlight, Lux has been a highly touted prospect since he was a scrawny freshman at PBR Wisconsin’s inaugural showcase. Never wavering below the No. 2 spot in the state Lux has been a bit of the poster boy for Wisconsin’s 2016 class. A top 30 prospect in the PBR Draft 100, Lux was tabbed as a plus defender at an early age and ran circles around even his older peers at shortstop.

Scouting Report from Milwaukee Preseason I.D. (1/27/13) - Slender build, long legs, 5-foot-10, 145-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. Lux is a high level defender, possibly the best hands not only in his class but the entire state. Plus defensive actions, extremely quick hands, excellent transfer and release, advanced backhand actions, overall plus hands for his age. Arm action is short and loose, highly efficient, 76 mph across the diamond, shows accuracy. Footwork is athletic, quick and clean. Runs 4.45 home to first. Hits from the left side, slightly wider stance, balanced setup, smooth load and short stride, good balance throughout. Bat speed is present, path is short and level, line drive approach. Front side tends to leave early, lacks overall strength. With added strength and maturity Lux could be one of the premier middle infielders in the region.

Defensively, Lux is a far cry from what is typically seen in these parts of the country. Many have described his actions to be on par with what is seen in some of baseball’s top Latin American countries, and generally has made up the majority of Major League Baseball’s middle infielders.

However, Lux’s path to stardom hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Lux made an early verbal commitment to Virginia Tech in November of his sophomore year, but after a coaching change on the Hokies staff Lux rescinded his commitment and was back on the open market. Lux’s sophomore year was also hampered by some arm soreness that relegated him to DH duties for most of Indian Trail’s season.

Fast-forward to his junior year and Lux was back with a vengeance, leading an Indian Trail squad to an Elite Eight finish in the WIAA state tournament.

Scouting Report from WIAA playoffs (6/8/15) - 6-foot-2, 170-pound, left-handed hitting shortstop with a thin, athletic frame. Body projects to add more strength especially in the upper half. No. 1 rated player in the Wisconsin class of 2016. No. 10 in PBR Overall ranks. Currently uncommitted. Gap to gap hitter at the plate with some pop. Shows the ability to consistently barrel up pitches all around the zone. Big leg lift trigger, gets front foot down and keeps hands back, allowing him to square up pitches with authority. Short path to the ball. 4.29 down the line on a groundout. Plus hands in the field with a quick transfer. Smooth, athletic actions, with fluid footwork. Solid arm strength from short. 89 mph across the infield in the winter. Should receive big time draft interest this summer and next spring.

Lux, soon after, committed to Arizona State after courting several of the country’s top suitors, starting off what may be the biggest summer circuit of his high school career.

Lux was a staple on the national circuit this summer traveling from Cary, NC to San Diego, CA and everywhere in between. Along the way his draft stock has continued to rise, and we’ve seen his PBR profile receive more clicks than any other Wisconsin prospect since June 1. The only hurdle now is smashing stereotypes and convincing the pro scouting community that a shortstop from Wisconsin can stick in the big leagues. Lux will have his chance this February at the PBR Super 60 Pro Showcase where nearly every MLB team will be taking note.

More News on Gavin Lux

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