Even though Arizona Diamondbacks starting shortstop Geraldo Perdomo signed a four-year $45 million contract extension on Monday, the move to keep Perdomo in the desert long term does not change what the Diamondbacks will do with top prospect Jordan Lawlar, general manager Mike Hazen said Tuesday.
The main question is Lawlar primarily plays the same position as Perdomo and is Arizona’s only player ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects.
But despite being ranked No. 11 overall by MLB pipeline, Lawlar was limited to just 23 games in 2024. The shortstop is still only 22 years old and has shown flashes, but he was unable to remain healthy and stay on the field last season during an injury-riddled campaign in the minors.
“Depth is not keeping Jordan Lawlar off the roster, so I can promise you that,” Hazen told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Tuesday during Day 1 of Newsmakers Week. “I think the history over the last year or so he was hurt for the majority of last year. Obviously, he came up in ’23 and did a really good job for us at the end of the season and nothing has changed with regards to Jordan Lawlar. And when Jordan Lawlar is ready to be on this team, Jordan Lawlar’s gonna be on this team.”
The sixth-overall pick in 2021 tore a ligament in his thumb at the end of spring training in 2024 and spent more than two months on the injured list after needing surgery.
After a short stint at the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, he made his return to Triple-A Reno on June 11 and in four games went 8-for-20 with four extra-base hits, playing shortstop and third base. However, he suffered a strained left hamstring on a game-tying triple in the ninth inning of his fourth game back, just six days later.
Lawlar finally returned from injury on Sept. 8 for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles. After two games with the Sod Poodles, he played 10 more games with Reno to wrap up his season, playing a mix of shortstop, third base and DH.
Lawlar later went on to play 27 games in the Dominican Winter League where he slashed .237/.315/.355 with three home runs for Tigres del Licey.
“Back, back, back … wayyyy back!”
MLB’s No. 9 prospect Jordan Lawlar (@Dbacks) lofts his third homer in 20 @LIDOMRD games: pic.twitter.com/fNJF6i60XJ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 18, 2024
Before the untimely injuries, Lawlar was expected to compete for playing time at the big-league-level prior to the start of the 2024 season.
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The shortstop slashed .278/.378/.496 with 20 home runs and 36 stolen bases in the minor leagues over 105 games in 2023 between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A.
Lawlar also spent a short time in the majors in 2023 after veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed was cut, but he struggled at the plate and recorded four hits and 11 strikeouts in the 34 plate appearances he saw over 14 games.
Jordan Lawlar helps the D-backs with depth, according to Hazen
However, the combination of Lawlar’s talent and work ethic has kept him in the fold, according to Hazen.
“And we very much feel the exact same way we always have. He’s extremely talented. He’s an incredible baseball player. He has great make up and work ethic and he fits into the fabric of what this organization is going to be. I’m not worried,” Hazen said.
But despite there being uncertainty as to whether Lawlar can stay healthy or if he is ready to produce at the big-league-level, Hazen emphasized the importance of depth and how Lawlar factors into the equation of fitting the puzzle together.
Lawlar could start the season in Triple-A Reno to get everyday at-bats before the club calls him back up. And even with Perdomo at shortstop, Lawlar has received more looks at other spots along the infield.
“If you look at the rosters of the teams we’re competing with at the very top of the National League, you’re not gonna find nine good players on that team, you’re gonna find 13 good position players on that team and that’s what we need to shoot for so we’re gonna stay competitive,” Hazen said.
“And so I’m not worried about what positions we have what you would consider to be locked down. We have opportunity for good players to come onto this roster at any point in time.”
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