Position players officially arrived at spring training on Saturday, bringing the entire Cincinnati Reds roster together in Goodyear. With the full squad present, manager Terry Francona fielded questions from beat writers regarding player positions. When asked about Matt McLain, who missed the 2024 season due to injuries but made a brief return in the Arizona Fall League, Francona’s response was straightforward—McLain is expected to play solely at second base, or at least, “that’s the hope,” as reported by C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.
If McLain is locked in at second base as an everyday player, it raises questions about newcomer Gavin Lux’s role. According to Rosecrans, Francona stated that Lux will begin spring training splitting time between second base and third base before also getting reps in left field.
When the Reds acquired Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers, President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall outlined a versatile plan for him, mentioning that he would see time at second base, third base, shortstop, designated hitter, and even the outfield.
Now, it appears that strategy is being put into action. However, rather than securing a full-time role, Lux seems poised to be more of a “plays a lot” utility player. In fact, most of Cincinnati’s lineup lacks fixed positions, with only a few players—Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, McLain at second base, and TJ Friedl in center field—appearing locked into everyday roles. Catcher Tyler Stephenson will also see regular time but is expected to rotate between catching and designated hitter duties.
Defensively, Lux’s history is worth noting. While he was originally developed as a shortstop, he has played the position sparingly in the majors—just 47 full games since debuting in 2019. His experience at third base is even more limited, having played just six innings there, while he has appeared in 34 games in left field. The bulk of his playing time has come at second base.
One concern with Lux playing third base is his arm strength. Baseball Savant recorded his arm velocity at 75 mph, ranking in the 7th percentile—well below the typical threshold for a third baseman, where strong throws are often required. Since second base involves shorter throws, Lux hasn’t had to unleash his full arm strength often. In 2024, his fastest in-game throw (excluding relay throws) was 77.9 mph, significantly below the league average of 79.3 mph for second basemen.
Given this, using Lux as a full-time third baseman seems unlikely. However, he could potentially handle the position on a limited basis, playing there once or twice a week to minimize strain on his arm. Left field, where arm strength is less crucial, and designated hitter, where it’s irrelevant, seem like more viable spots for him.
A realistic path for Lux to get consistent at-bats might involve a rotational role—splitting time between third base, left field, and DH while also serving as a pinch hitter or platoon option. But with the Reds juggling multiple players in flexible roles, it’s doubtful he will be an everyday starter. Without a clear path at second base or shortstop, and with limited availability at third base and left field, Lux is more likely to be a frequent contributor rather than a lineup fixture.
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