👋 GOOD MORNING
👋 GOOD MORNING – Happy Tuesday! I hope your week is off to a good start.
Just a reminder about our PHNX Pool Party at Chase Field on July 3! It’s going to be an incredible time, and if you’ve ever wanted to check out one of the most unique elements of any MLB stadium, now’s your chance. Get your ticket(s) today!
On to the show!
Jordan Lawlar’s Call Up Gives Rookie The Chance He’s Been Waiting For
Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Jordan Lawlar has been waiting for this moment.
The 22-year-old shortstop has had a small stint in the Big Leagues before, appearing in 14 regular season games during the D-backs’ magical run to the World Series in 2023. He was just 4-for-21 during that time, and didn’t register an RBI, but the fourth-best prospect in all of baseball is ready to make an impact.
His Minor League numbers this season are proof of that.
New Addition Allows Team’s Infield to Alternate Rest
Lawlar has been one of the top performers at Triple-A Reno this season, slashing .336 / .413 / .579 with six home runs, 15 doubles and 31 RBI in just 37 games with the Aces, a total of 152 at bats.
The trickiest part of this whole arrangement just may be finding him a permanent spot to play. The rookie is a shortstop by nature, but both GM Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo told MLB.com the move doesn’t guarantee Lawlar a regular playing spot, rather, he’ll rotate around the infield on an as-needed basis.
Hazen said it’s likely the youngster will see action in 3-4 games each week as he fills in at both second and third base, as well as his usual shortstop position.
That means an occasional breather for everyday players Eugenio Suárez (third base), Geraldo Perdomo (shortstop) and Ketel Marte (second base). Lawlar has played all three positions with Reno this season
“I told them that they’re going to get days off,” Lovullo told MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. “Nobody’s getting benched. Geraldo Perdomo is still our everyday shortstop. I want them to understand that there’s a reason for it, and we’ve got to see how it works and we’re getting a really good player that’s going to be in there on any given day that’s going to be able to give us a chance to win baseball games, and that’s the most important thing.”
- The D-backs have struggled to find any consistency, hovering around .500 for the entirety of this season.
- Lawlar was drafted sixth overall in 2021, but did not have a chance to play in the big leagues last season because of injuries.
- He has also shown good speed, swiping 13 bases with Reno this season while getting caught stealing just once.
Lawlar’s promotion to the Majors comes at a time in which he’s been recognized as one of the top prospects in all of baseball, as he just recently rose to the No. 4 spot in MLB’s pipeline rankings. He was ranked ninth overall to start the season, and has only increased his stock since.
My Take: The move makes so much sense, especially since it appears the team’s management and everyday starters are on the same page. Lawlar bring a unique skillset that can help the Diamondbacks avoid the injury bug by providing some much-needed relief. He only adds to the club’s embarrassment of riches on offense, and the infield experience he accumulated in Triple-A should make him a reliable defensive replacement, as well.
Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley
Drafting a Plan: The Suns draft 29th overall in the upcoming NBA Draft, and our ALLCITY team has been hard at work preparing everything you need to know for the 2025 draft on June 25. Presenting: The NBA Diehard Draft Guide — the most comprehensive and interactive draft resource you’ll find anywhere. This is our way of making sure Diehards are fully ready for a pivotal night in New York City.
Led by ALLCITY draft analysts Derek Bodner of PHLY and Will Gottlieb of CHGO, this guide is your one-stop-shop as teams across the league gear up to reshape their rosters
Get ready for:
- Over 70 detailed scouting reports from Derek and Will, crafted after months of watching film and talking to people around the league.
- On-the-ground reporting from the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
- Insightful video breakdowns and draft coverage from the ALLCITY NBA Show and our team-specific shows across the country.
Note the Diehard draft guide is best viewed on desktop or tablet!
Cor-Win Carroll: Corbin Carroll’s two solo shots were all the D-backs needed in a 2-1 win over the Giants, as Arizona earned a critical series-opening win against a divisional opponent. Merrill Kelly was dominant on the mound, allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out eight.
🧢 Tip of the Hat by Branded Bills
The Sun Devils just are not getting the respect they deserve after an unforgettable season.
