The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

After a whirlwind seven day period featuring miles of travel and transactions, Lucius Fox went from Washington National Spring Training, to the Triple-A affiliate and now back to the big league club with a legitimate shot at a spot on the opening day roster.

Fox was optioned to the Rochester Red Wings on March 28 and was preparing for opening day in the Triple-A East League when he received the call on Sunday to immediately return to Spring Training.

Fox told National Pastime’s Mark Zuckerman that Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy delivered the message of the latest transaction just hours before the club’s road trip to face the Toledo Mud Hens:

‘Hey kid, pack your bags. You’re going back to Florida.’

The announcement prompted Fox to immediately catch a flight back to West Palm Beach, Florida after driving more than 10 hours to join the Red Wings in Rochester, New York.

“I had in that moment a lot of thoughts in my head,” he said. “Damn, is this happening for real?”

Fox got the start at shortstop in yesterday’s penultimate Spring Training matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals.

According to reports, veterans Alcides Escobar (neck) and Ehire Adrianza (quad) are dealing with injury issues, leaving a void in the middle infield.

“It’s special, man,” Fox said. “I’ve been working my whole life for this opportunity, this moment. I always envisioned how I’d feel, but I can’t put it into words.”

He hit the Nationals’ first home run of Spring Training with his solo shot in the ninth inning of a 6-2 loss to the New York Mets at The Ballpark of Palm Beaches.

He followed with a game tying double in the eighth inning of a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros.

In his Spring Training appearances thus far, the 24-year-old infielder ranked No.25 in the Nationals’ farm system, has hit .286 with thee RBI.

Fox was claimed off waivers by the Nationals in December and joined the fifth franchise of his MLB career.

Last season, he rose as high as No.26 in the Kansas City Royals’ prospect pipeline and spent the bulk of his season at the AAA level with the Omaha Storm Chasers in the International League.

In 57 games with the Storm Chasers, Fox hit .245 with a .353 OBP, .729 OPS, 56 hits, five home-runs, 24 RBI, 44 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases.

Over the course of his minor league career, he has played 386 games at shortstop, 46 games at second base, nine games at third, and eight games at centre field.

Fox was signed as an International free agent by the San Francisco Giants in 2015. After just over a year with the organisation he was traded along with pitcher Michael Santos to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Matt Moore and third baseman Matt Duffy.

After spending just over two seasons with the Royals organisation, he had a busy 2022 offseason. Where he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and eventually the Nationals.