Thursday, December 19, 2019

2019 Bowman Next Top 2020 Prospects - Online Exclusive - Gavin Lux


I've been wondering if Topps would add Gavin Lux to this set.

Over the past several weeks Topps has been releasing individual cards, on a daily basis, of a new online exclusive set that they are calling 2019 Bowman Next - a set featuring the Top-20 prospects of 2020. It began with Tigers outfield prospect Riley Green, and has included other notable youngsters like Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals, Jo Adell of the Angels and Brendon Rodgers of the Rockies. Now, it includes the Dodger top-dog, Gavin Lux. Go here to check it out and order. You can also see a complete checklist here. Below is what's written on the back of the card:
Gavin Lux quickly rose through the Minor League ranks, raking at each level of the Minors before reaching the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. The slugging infielder posted an incredible .347  batting average with 26 home runs and 76 RBI before joining the MLB club.
The description above doesn't quite explain what a fantastic year Lux had in 2019. He began the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and slashed a sold .313/.375/.521/.896 in 64 games. He would then advance to the Oklahoma City Dodgers -- their Triple A club -- and absolutely demolished PCL pitching. In 49 games he slashed .392/.478/.719/1.197 with 13 home runs, 39 RBI and committed just four errors on the field. For that he was named to the mid-season Texas League All-Star Game, the All-Star Futures Game and was Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year. The Dodgers also named him their minor league player of the year for the second consecutive season. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends


What the heck?

Check out the above undated (likely 1950's) vintage photograph featuring the Dodgers pitching staff being directed by backstop Roy Campanella (eBay link). What Campy is doing exactly, I do not know. He's got his hands cupped over his ears, like he's expecting a loud sound.

As for the pitchers in the photo, I can clearly see Don Newcombe (third on the left), and according the a notation on the back Ralph Branca is there too. Unfortunately, I can't quite place Branca. I think he might be just to the right of Newcombe. I also think Johnny Podres is the second person to the left of Newcombe.

Below are more links to check out: