The Diamondbacks made waves this offseason by landing future Hall of Famer Nolan Arenado and holding onto Ketel Marte, a move that reshaped their infield and sent a clear message: they're going for it. But with that infield now locked up, it’s left top prospect Jordan Lawlar without a natural home-at least on the dirt. So where does one of Arizona’s most promising young players fit in?
According to manager Torey Lovullo, the answer might be center field.
That’s right-Lawlar, who’s spent his entire professional career patrolling the infield, is getting a look in center this spring. It’s a bold move, but not without precedent.
The Padres pulled off a similar switch with Jackson Merrill a couple of years ago, and he ended up becoming one of the best defensive outfielders in the game as a rookie. Arizona’s hoping for something in that same ballpark with Lawlar.
Physically, Lawlar checks the boxes. His sprint speed ranked in the 98th percentile last season, so the raw athleticism is there.
He even got his feet wet with a few games in center during winter ball in the Dominican League. But three games is a far cry from the daily grind of patrolling center field in the majors.
There’s a learning curve, no doubt. Reading the ball off the bat, taking efficient routes, managing the gaps-it’s a different world out there.
Still, if there’s a spring to experiment, this is it.
The ripple effect of this move could be significant. Alek Thomas, Arizona’s current center fielder, would likely shift into more of a utility outfield role while Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Corbin Carroll work their way back from injuries.
Thomas, once a top prospect himself, has struggled to translate his minor league success into consistent big-league production. His career wRC+ sits at 74, and even his best season only pushed that number to 81.
That’s well below league average, and it’s opened the door for someone like Lawlar to step in and get a real shot at everyday at-bats.
Of course, Lawlar’s path to a breakout isn’t just about positional flexibility-it’s about staying healthy. That’s been the biggest roadblock so far.
Over the last two seasons, he’s played just 113 games between Triple-A and the majors, derailed by a series of injuries. A hamstring strain kept him out for months last year, and a thumb injury wiped out most of his 2024 campaign.
When he’s been on the field, he’s flashed the potential that made him a top prospect-especially at Triple-A, where he’s continued to rake. But in limited big-league action, the results haven’t quite clicked yet.
The hope is that consistent playing time-now potentially in center field-could help unlock his bat at the highest level.
While the Lawlar experiment is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into spring, there’s plenty of focus on the mound as well. Arizona’s ace, Corbin Burnes, is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and could be ready to return around the All-Star break.
That’s the target he gave reporters, though he noted he’s aiming to beat that timeline. Given that he had surgery in June, that’s a tough ask-but the optimism is there.
Getting Burnes back would be a massive lift. Before the injury, he posted a 2.66 ERA over 11 starts last year.
And while the peripherals weren’t quite as dominant as in years past, we’re still talking about a guy who had finished in the top ten in Cy Young voting five straight years before the surgery. If he returns anywhere near that form, it’s a game-changer for the D-backs' rotation.
He’s not the only arm on the mend. High-leverage relievers Justin Martinez and A.J.
Puk are also working their way back from elbow surgeries. Martinez, like Burnes, underwent Tommy John in June and is eyeing an August return-though he was quick to admit that timeline is fluid.
Puk had a less invasive internal brace procedure and is hoping to be back by the end of May. Realistically, June might be more likely, but the lefty seems confident he’ll be back before the All-Star break.
That trio-Burnes, Martinez, and Puk-could dramatically reshape Arizona’s pitching staff in the second half. The bullpen, in particular, could use the help.
Outside of non-roster invitee Jonathan Loaisiga, the D-backs didn’t make many splashy additions to the relief corps this winter. Loaisiga has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, but staying healthy has been a challenge.
Last year, he struggled with both performance and peripherals, posting a 5.83 FIP in 30 appearances for the Yankees. If he can stay on the mound and find his form, he could be a sneaky contributor-but that’s a big “if.”
Meanwhile, veteran first baseman Carlos Santana is gearing up for the World Baseball Classic, and the Diamondbacks are giving him the green light-even without insurance. That’s a rare move, especially for a player nearing 40, but the team sees value beyond just the on-field risk. Santana will represent the Dominican Republic alongside teammates Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo, and the club believes that shared experience could go a long way in building clubhouse chemistry.
It also speaks to why they brought Santana in to begin with. His one-year, $2 million deal wasn’t just about filling a spot at first base-it was about adding a respected voice to a young, hungry roster. GM Mike Hazen has emphasized Santana’s leadership qualities, and his presence could be especially important as the D-backs navigate a season filled with both high expectations and high-level competition.
So as spring training approaches, the Diamondbacks find themselves in a fascinating spot. They’ve got elite talent, a few key injuries, and a top prospect trying to learn a new position on the fly.
It’s a team built to compete now, but also one that’s still evolving in real time. And if everything breaks right-from Lawlar’s transition to center, to Burnes’ return, to the bullpen reinforcements-they could be one of the most dangerous teams in the National League by summer.