Diamondbacks prospect Jordan Lawlar is doing all the pieces he can to push for a significant league promotion, as he’s presently mashing in Triple-A. Assuming he ultimately cements himself within the majors, the query will likely be what place he performs.
He got here up as a shortstop prospect however the Diamondbacks don’t have a lot want at that place. Geraldo Perdomo took over common shortstop duties in 2022. The Diamondbacks are evidently happy with him there as they lately signed him to an extension that runs via 2029 with a membership possibility for 2030. They might transfer Perdomo to second or third base, the place he has some expertise. Nonetheless, his bat has solely been round league common in recent times, as his pace and protection at quick are his main methods of offering worth.
That has made it appear to be Lawlar would ultimately transfer to second or third. He has at all times had great offensive numbers within the minors, so his bat ought to play elsewhere. The Snakes have had Ketel Marte as their common second baseman for years and he’s signed properly into the longer term as properly, which seemingly made third base Lawlar’s greatest path. Nonetheless, Bob Nightengale of USA At present says that some scouts suppose Lawlar will take over at second and bump Marte to first.
There hasn’t been any reporting to counsel that the Snakes do plan on transferring Marte to first, however maybe their utilization of Lawlar this yr is a inform. With Triple-A Reno, he has 123 innings at second base to this point. He has simply 36 innings at third base this yr and simply 95 in his whole minor league profession. He has tons of of innings at shortstop over time however simply 54 in 2025.
It might be an attention-grabbing pivot if the membership is making it. The Diamondbacks acquired Eugenio Suárez forward of 2024 to cowl the third base place. He was going into the ultimate season of his contract, so it appeared doable that he was merely a stopgap till Lawlar was prepared. Suárez struggled badly within the first half of final yr however Lawlar spent most of 2024 injured, coping with thumb and hamstring accidents. He solely acquired into 23 minor league video games final yr, giving Suárez an opportunity to get again on observe. Suárez destroyed baseballs sufficient within the second half that the membership picked up their $15MM possibility on him for 2025, as a substitute of going for the $2MM buyout.
Coming into 2025, it was nonetheless truthful to count on that Suárez would ultimately give technique to Lawlar. Suárez turns 34 in July and will likely be a free agent at season’s finish. That would nonetheless be the plan however the truth that Lawlar is taking part in a variety of second base is attention-grabbing. Marte has had some damage absences in his profession and is presently on the injured record with a hamstring pressure. He’s 31 years outdated and the membership lately prolonged him via 2031, which might be his age-37 season. Maybe they consider that transferring him to first base can be the very best factor for his long-term well being.
Proper now, Josh Naylor and Pavin Smith are sharing first base and designated hitter duties. Naylor is an impending free agent, so that might present a gap for Marte to slip into as quickly as subsequent yr.
That is all nonetheless pretty speculative however it’s a notable place for the Snakes to be in. It’s doable that they’re merely transferring Lawlar round to completely different positions, experimenting to see how issues go. If he appears viable at a number of spots, that may give them extra selection for the right way to proceed subsequent offseason, with each first and third base set to be vacated going into the winter. One other issue may very well be that LuJames Groover can be one of many membership’s high ten prospects and is presently hitting properly at Double-Some time taking part in third base often.
Nonetheless it performs out defensively, Lawlar is producing a variety of pleasure together with his bat. He’s presently sporting a line of .356/.451/.644 with Reno this yr. He received’t be capable to keep a .457 batting common on balls in play without end however he has 5 residence runs and a 13% stroll price. He additionally has 12 stolen bases in 13 makes an attempt via 26 video games.
Photograph courtesy of Michael Chow, Imagn Photographs
