Diamondbacks to Promote Top Prospect Jordan Lawlar

Arizona will be promoting their top prospect to the big leagues ahead of a critical stretch of games that will define their season.

The Diamondbacks will be traveling to Chicago for a pivotal four-game series with huge playoff implications. With a huge series ahead of them, the organization has elected to promote their top prospect, Jordan Lawlar, to the big league roster according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

The Diamondbacks are promoting Jordan Lawlar, according to a source. https://t.co/JCY71kAvGM

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) September 6, 2023

Lawlar, 21, was the Arizona Diamondbacks' first-round pick and the sixth overall player selected in the 2021 MLB Draft. He was signed to a then-franchise-record $6.713 million signing bonus to forego a Vanderbilt commitment. At the time of his call-up, he is rated the No. 10 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, No. 5 on Fangraphs, and No. 9 on Baseball America.

Despite a shoulder injury just two games into his professional career, he was able to quickly ascend up the minor league system. In his first full season in the organization, he hit .303 with 16 home runs and a .910 OPS between three different levels and finished the year in Double-A. Fangraphs rated his offensive output as 38% better than the average hitter with a 138 wRC+ in his Age 19 season. 

His 2023 season started slow, as he experienced a rough slump from April 20th to May 21st in which he hit .110 and struck out in 38% of his trips to the plate. He then course-corrected, hitting .323 with 15 home runs and a 148 wRC+ from May 23rd onwards between Double-A and Triple-A. In an interview I conducted with him last week, Lawlar said that once he got his approach and swing to line up together is when the good results started.

Lawlar projects to be an everyday regular at the shortstop position long term, although he may see action at third base to get his bat into the lineup. His potential offensive impact is a guy who could hit .260-.270 at the big league level with 20-25 home runs and 30 stolen bases at his peak. On a D-backs roster that does such a great job of weaponizing their speed and athleticism, he'll fit right in. Lawlar will retain his rookie eligibility for the 2024 season, allowing Arizona to potentially reap the rewards of a potential first-round pick if he can win the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Award.

In order to make room on both the 40-man and active roster, manager Torey Lovullo stated that shortstop Nick Ahmed has been designated for assignment.

Nick Ahmed has been designated for assignment as the corresponding active and 40-man roster move, per manager Torey Lovullo. Thus ends the run for the longest tenured player on the #Dbacks roster.

— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) September 6, 2023