The Diamondbacks are making it clear: Jordan Lawlar’s future is in the outfield.
Once seen as Arizona’s shortstop of the future, Lawlar is now shifting his focus to center field, a move that’s been in motion for a while. GM Mike Hazen confirmed the plan this week, saying Lawlar will get the bulk of his reps in the outfield during the 2026 season. That’s a significant pivot for a player drafted sixth overall as a shortstop, but it’s also a reflection of how the roster - and Lawlar’s own development - have evolved.
Let’s break it down.
Infield’s Full - and Then Some
Lawlar’s early big league action saw him slide over to third base, largely because Geraldo Perdomo had locked down shortstop with a breakout campaign. But the hot corner didn’t go smoothly.
Defensive metrics weren’t kind, and the eye test matched the numbers - too many errors, not enough comfort. The D-backs seemed to acknowledge that reality when they traded for Nolan Arenado last month.
With Arenado entrenched at third, Perdomo holding down short, and Ketel Marte a mainstay at second, there’s just no room in the infield for Lawlar.
That’s not a knock on his talent - it’s just a case of a crowded, established group ahead of him.
Outfield Opens a Door
The outfield, on the other hand, is a different story. Corbin Carroll is locked into right field, but the rest of the grass is wide open.
Alek Thomas brings strong defense in center, but his bat hasn’t come around across four seasons. Jake McCarthy’s been shipped off to Colorado.
Pavin Smith has some outfield experience but is likely to spend most of his time at first base, especially with Carlos Santana in the mix as a right-handed platoon option.
And then there’s Blaze Alexander, who dabbled in the outfield last season but was just traded to the Orioles. That move cleared another potential competitor out of the picture and opened up more opportunity for Lawlar.
Lawlar’s Bat: Boom or Bust?
Now, let’s talk about the bat - because that’s what this all really hinges on.
Lawlar’s big league numbers haven’t been pretty. Through 108 plate appearances, he’s slashing .165/.241/.237 with a sky-high 34.3% strikeout rate.
That’s not going to cut it at the major league level. But context matters, and Lawlar’s minor league track record tells a different story.
In parts of three seasons at Triple-A, he’s mashed: a .328/.414/.576 line with 18 homers, 25 doubles, seven triples, 24 stolen bases, and a solid 11.9% walk rate. He’s striking out less there too - 22.6%, which is much more manageable. That level of production is why Arizona is still very much invested in finding a place for him to contribute.
He’s only 23 - turning 24 in July - and the raw tools are still there. The D-backs aren’t giving up on Lawlar. They’re just trying to give him the best chance to succeed, and right now, that means getting his bat in the lineup without forcing a defensive fit in the infield.
The Alexander Trade: More Than Just a Roster Shuffle
That Blaze Alexander trade wasn’t just about clearing space - it brought in some bullpen help, too. Arizona picked up right-hander Kade Strowd, who posted a sparkling 1.71 ERA over 26 1/3 innings in his first taste of big league action last season. Now, the ERA looks great, but the underlying numbers tell a more complicated story: 22.9% strikeout rate, 12.4% walk rate - not exactly elite.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Strowd made real strides down the stretch. He walked 11 of the first 71 batters he faced in 2025, but in his final nine innings, he issued just two walks to 34 hitters and struck out 15 - a 44.1% strikeout rate.
His swinging-strike rate nearly doubled, jumping from 8.9% to 16.2%. That kind of late-season surge caught the front office’s attention.
What changed? Strowd leaned heavily into his four-seam fastball, while dialing back on the sinker and curveball.
It’s a small sample, but the results were loud. If he can sustain that mix, he could become a real weapon in the bullpen.
Bullpen Still a Work in Progress
Even with Strowd in the fold, the D-backs aren’t done shopping for arms. They’ve already added Taylor Clarke and Jonathan Loáisiga (on a minor league deal), but they’re still dealing with key losses.
Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk are both expected to start the season on the injured list after elbow surgeries, so the bullpen depth is going to be tested early.
There’s still room - and need - for another reliable arm or two.
Bench Needs Reinforcements, Too
The Diamondbacks are also in the market for more depth on the bench. Trading Alexander thinned out their infield/outfield versatility, and right now, the bench picture is far from settled.
James McCann is the only clear lock as the backup catcher. Beyond that, it’s murky.
Tim Tawa brings versatility - he can play both infield and outfield - but he struggled at the plate in his first big league action (.201/.274/.347 over 225 plate appearances). Jorge Barrosa is out of options but hasn’t shown he can hit at the MLB level either (.148/.170/.239 in 95 plate appearances).
The 40-man roster is heavily tilted toward pitchers. Outside of McCann, only Adrian Del Castillo and 22-year-old Jose Fernandez (who hasn’t played above Double-A) are position players. That’s a thin group, and it’s no surprise the front office is looking to add more insurance.
What It All Means
The Diamondbacks are threading a needle here. They’re trying to develop a top prospect in Lawlar while also contending in a tough National League. They’re banking on his bat playing up in the outfield, and they’re hoping a few bullpen gambles - like Strowd - pay off in a big way.
It’s a balancing act. But there’s a clear plan in place, and Lawlar’s position shift is a big piece of that puzzle. If he can translate his Triple-A success to the majors, the D-backs might have found a creative way to unlock his potential - even if it’s not at the position they originally envisioned.