Dodgers Prospects: Dustin May And Gavin Lux Make Appearance In Futures Game
A loaded Dodgers farm system has been highlighted by quite a few names this year. Gavin Lux (Dodgers #2 prospect) and Dustin May (Dodgers #3 prospect) have been exceptional halfway through the 2019 season. Their performance’s have been recognized not only from fans and the organization, but Major League Baseball as well.
The young pair of prospects received an invite to play in this year’s Futures Game which is held in Cleveland this year. In 2018 there were also two Dodger representatives in the Futures Game. Keibert Ruiz (Dodgers #1 prospect) and Yusniel Diaz who was a piece of the Machado trade sent to Baltimore last year.
Prior to this year’s Futures Game, there were a few changes made for format and roster names. There will only be 7 innings of play (unless extra innings is necessary, which it was). Formerly known as World vs. USA, which personally I enjoyed, is now just National League vs. American League. Each player had not only their team patch but also their national flag on their jersey.
Also, big fan of the sleeveless jerseys. We need more of this in baseball.
It’s almost game time in Cleveland. Daniel Johnson needed some flex time before the #FuturesGame @MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/AFtwdJnBSP
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) July 7, 2019
Future’s Game Recap
The first three innings was all about dominant pitching. The first hit of the game came from Nationals’ #1 overall prospect Carter Kieboom, a single in the fourth inning. That same inning, the National League squad quickly led 2-0.
As noted earlier, this year’s Futures Game is only 7 innings, so it’s a much quicker game. It’s especially faster when their isn’t a whole lot of offense, which was the case in this game. Heading into the home half of the 7th inning, the American League had their final at-bats trailing 2-0.
A Jo Adell (Angels #1 prospect) walk leads to a two-run homer by Sam Huff (Rangers #21 prospect) two batters later. Just like that the game is tied up a two a piece. The American League threatened later than inning after a pair of base hits but no one crossed the plate.
The game ended after just one extra inning as the National League and American League tied 2-2 in the 2019 Future’s Game.
Dustin May
Standing 6-foot-6 inches, the 21-year old fireballer Dustin May has effectively moved his way up the Dodgers farm system. May began the season on the mound in Tulsa, and after just 15 games got the call to Oklahoma City along with teammate Gavin Lux.
In 84.1 innings this season, May’s 3.74 ERA, 89 K’s, and 9.5 SO/9 are just a few outstanding features that define this young man. His fastball is electric, topping out around 97-99 MPH. He also provides a slick slider as well as a changeup and two-seamer.
All eight of Dustin May's pitches in the Future's Game. His fastball is something else. pic.twitter.com/NhDsf9Y1aX
— Tyler Hawk (@tylerahawk) July 8, 2019
May made his Future’s Game appearance in the top of the third inning, where he needed just 8 pitches to get through the inning. His first five pitches were all four-seam fastballs which varied from 92-98. After missing with a pair of off-speed pitches, he comes right back with the heat, which had some nice movement. Rogers weakly grounded out to end the inning.
Keep at eye on Dustin May towards the end of the season as a potential call-up if the Dodgers run into more unfortunate issues. He’s young and he’s shown what he’s got to offer on the mound.
Gavin Lux
Speaking of young, Gavin Lux, who is also 21 years old and just a few months younger than Dustin May, made his Future’s Game debut in Cleveland Sunday night.
Lux entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning, replacing Miguel Amaya. As Lux enters the game, as does towering fireballer Nate Pearson (Blue Jays #2 prospect). Pearson wastes no time. The first three pitches Lux sees is 99, 101, and 99 MPH heaters. Pearson is quickly ahead in the count 1-2 and sits Lux down on a 6th pitch.
Just so you get an idea, this is what Lux and others had to deal with that inning.
Nate Pearson fastball-slider overlay. 10 mph of separation here (99 mph and 89 mph). ?? #BlueJays #FuturesGame pic.twitter.com/byIVMeKNXN
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) July 8, 2019
Lux stayed in the game and played short stop. In the top of the 7th inning, Lux got another shot at the plate. Despite not facing Pearson again, Gavin grounds out softly to first base and finishes 0-2 on the day.
A strong start in Tulsa to begin the season forced the OKC Dodgers to give him the call to Triple-A, deservedly so. Now just one stop away from the big leagues, Lux is proving himself in many ways. Although a small sample size, Lux is 15-30 in his first 7 games at the Triple-A level with 7 extra base-hits and a whopping 1.379 OPS.
