By Valencia Campbell, staff writer
As June approaches, Gavin Lux has more than high school graduation to think about.
The MLB draft is the first week of June and the Indian Trail High School senior may be one of a few fortuitous players who are drafted right out of high school to play professional baseball.
Lux, a shortstop, has played for Indian Trail for four years, but his passion for the game began when he was just a toddler.
“Ever since I can remember so probably since I was about 2 or 3 I first started playing,”said Gavin Lux, a General Studies senior.
Now his hard work and commitment might lead him straight to the major leagues. Lux has also received a full scholarship to play ball and further his education at Arizona State University.
Lux explained why the sport appeals to him.
“Everything about it … when you get a good hit, how good it feels, just the sights and sounds of the game. It’s just really fun,” said Lux.
Last year, as a junior, Lux batted .475, with 11 doubles, four triples, 32 RBI(runs batted in), 16 walks and 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts (through sectionals). That year was also Indian Trail’s first appearance at the WIAA Division-1 State Tournament.
There are a few people to which Lux attributes his success.
“My whole family is really a baseball family. I’ve
had a couple uncles and grandpas that have played college and professionally so I guess that’s how I got started into it,” said Lux.
Lux’s Indian Trail baseball coach Mike Schmidt has known Lux since he first started as a player at Indian Trail as a freshman and seen him evolve through the years. Schmidt attributes Lux’s success to several factors.
“The hours he puts in. They say the 10,000-hour rule, he probably doubles that,” said Schmidt.
Even though Lux is still a teenager, he has earned
the respect of his peers. “Gavin is one of our captains. Matter of fact he’s been named the captain three years in a row. He is highly regarded by his peers,” said Schmidt. Lux loves the game of baseball. He has his favorite players who have served as his mentors. “Derek Jeter, just the way he plays the game. He plays it hard and it’s inspiring,” said Lux. So where does Lux see himself in five years? “Hopefully, still playing baseball. That’s the goal,” said Lux.