Just days after being named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Month, Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar is officially headed back to the majors.
This marks Lawlar’s second stint with the big league club. His first, a brief 14-game audition in 2023, was mostly a humbling experience — he slashed.129/.206/.129 with 11 strikeouts in 31 at-bats. But a lot has changed since then. Now 22 years old and fully healthy after an injury-riddled 2024 season, Lawlar arrives in Phoenix with a renewed sense of confidence and a refined approach that’s made him one of the hottest players in Triple-A.
Lawlar torched the Pacific Coast League in April, leading in nearly every major offensive category while flashing the all-around tools that made him the No. 6 overall pick in 2021. Now ranked among baseball’s top five prospects, the Diamondbacks are ready to give him a real opportunity to show what he can do at the next level.
Jordan Lawlar YOU are a defensive wizard 🧙♂️ pic.twitter.com/7xsIYLXgFF
— Reno Aces (@Aces) May 11, 2025
Diamondbacks make room for their future with Jordan Lawlar promotion
But the call-up doesn’t come without complications. Arizona’s infield is stacked. Eugenio Suárez, Ketel Marte, Pavin Smith), Josh Naylor, and Geraldo Perdomo are all producing at above-average levels, and benching any one of them creates a noticeable absence in the lineup. Yet Lawlar’s talent — and the long-term investment in his development — makes finding him at-bats a priority.
The most likely scenario will be rotating Lawlar around the diamond, taking advantage of matchups and providing off-days. Smith has primarily hit against right-handers, so Lawlar will more than likely slot in as DH against lefties. When Naylor sits, Smith covers first base, opening the DH slot again. And with Lawlar having logged defensive innings at second, third, and shortstop in Reno, he’s being groomed for exactly this type of Swiss Army knife role.
According to Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, manager Torey Lovullo believes if Lawlar can appear in four games a week — even in a hybrid role — it’s enough to keep his bat sharp and development on track. It’s a delicate balance, but one the D-backs seem prepared to manage.
This setup serves a dual purpose. It will keep the veterans fresh while injecting youthful energy into the roster. If Lawlar adjusts well to big-league pitching, the D-backs may find themselves with a more permanent decision to make. With Suárez in the final year of his contract and the team in desperate need of bullpen help, Lawlar’s emergence will allow Arizona to explore the trade market. Moving Suárez would clear space and potentially bring back the relief reinforcements Arizona desperately needs.
In the meantime, Lawlar’s return is another sign that the Diamondbacks aren’t just playing for now — they’re trying to build toward something sustainable.