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Jordan Lawlar (Getty Images)
The noise surrounding Jordan Lawlar’s production in the minors had grown too loud to ignore.
After slashing .336/.413/.579 with six home runs, 31 RBIs and a .992 OPS in 37 games with Triple-A Reno, the Diamondbacks called up their sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft on Monday ahead of a three-game series with the Giants—even if there isn’t a clear path to everyday playing time. Lawlar was not in the lineup Monday night.
“We’re also required to put the 26 best players on our team,” D-backs general manager Mike Hazen said. “Especially for a team where we have said that every day matters … [Lawlar] is a very good player, and putting him on this roster for this team, with as important as this team is to us, he’s going to play a big role.”
Calling Lawlar a “very good player” might be underselling it. The 22-year-old has separated himself as one of the premier talents in the minors this year, rising to No. 10 on Baseball America’s updated Top 100 Prospects list after his dominant start.
The bat has never been in question. It’s been the most consistent part of his game since entering the organization. On most other teams, Lawlar likely would’ve made the Opening Day roster.
But Arizona’s infield is among the deepest in the league.
Ketel Marte is coming off the best season of his career, finishing third in NL MVP voting. Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo–the position Lawlar played almost exclusively in the minors prior to this season– signed a four-year extension during spring training and has emerged as a clubhouse leader. At third, Eugenio Suárez rebounded from a slow start in 2024 to launch 30 home runs and drive in 101.
Even with a delayed path to the majors, Lawlar understood the cards he was dealt.
“I just really stay in the moment,” Lawlar said. “Day by day, and come to the field with a plan, knowing what I want to get better every day. And I did that down there, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do here. Honestly, don’t get too far ahead, too far behind. Focus on what’s now and keep getting better.”
“He’s a pro,” Hazen said. “It’s frustrating. I’m sure at times when you want the timeframe to be shorter than it is. We also look at him as a long-term piece to our roster and our organization and manning a position for a long time.”
“His play was telling us it was time,” added D-backs manager Torey Lovullo.
As talented as Lawlar is, questions about his durability have followed him.
Shortly after signing for $6.7 million—the third-highest bonus in the 2021 draft—he required shoulder surgery, then endured an injury-plagued first full professional season.
He made his MLB debut in late September 2023, contributing during Arizona’s Cinderella run to the World Series. Lawlar appeared in 14 regular-season games and made three postseason appearances that year.
But injuries resurfaced in 2024. Thumb and hamstring issues sidelined him sporadically, though he made up for lost time with Los Tigres de Licey in the Dominican Winter League.
Even after his hot start and Ketel Marte’s early-April trip to the injured list, the D-backs opted to call up Tim Tawa instead, citing Lawlar’s limited experience at second base. Rather than dwell, Lawlar took the assignment head-on, embracing the opportunity to expand his defensive versatility—something Lovullo said will be key as the natural shortstop moves around the diamond to fill in for their starters.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” Lawlar said. “Getting the different views, second, third, switching it up a little bit from shortstop. It’s fun to check out the different side of the diamond.”
Now, with a clean bill of health and an elite offensive profile, Arizona believes the timing is right. Even if he’s not penciled into the lineup every day, Lawlar’s presence figures to be impactful for a team that is looking to return to the World Series.
“That time is going to come, and it’s probably going to come now,” Hazen said. “He’s older, he’s more experienced, he’s a better player than he was [before]. We just think he’s ready to handle it.”
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