SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks young player Jordan Lawlar is drawing significant attention this spring as he transitions to the outfield while being tasked to deliver more offensive production than he ever has in his major league career. The 23-year-old started 2026 strongly by launching a home run in his opening plate appearance Saturday against the Colorado Rockies, signaling the impact of his recent hitting adjustments.
Early Signs of Progress at the Plate
Facing right-handed pitcher Valente Bellozo, Lawlar fell behind 1-2 after swinging through two cutters away, which had previously been a weakness against pitches that broke off the plate. Demonstrating patience, he worked the count full by fouling off several pitches and checking pitches outside the strike zone. When a sweeper pitch hung in the zone, Lawlar made solid contact, sending a 110 mph ball to left-field for a home run.
Following the game, Lawlar remarked,
“Committing to an approach and battling and making in-at-bat adjustments, and you saw the result.”
During the game, Lawlar finished 1-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout called by the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, reflecting his ongoing adaptation at the big-league level.
Adapting to Center Field Amid Team Needs
This spring, Lawlar has focused predominantly on center field, a position Arizona needs depth in due to roster uncertainties. While his defensive transition commands attention, the Diamondbacks primarily require consistent offensive contributions from their former top prospect. Lawlar demonstrated promise last September by hitting .308 with an .851 OPS over 44 plate appearances, a performance he is looking to build on with more exposure to MLB pitching.
Focus on In-At-Bat Adjustments and Approach
Lawlar highlighted his development mindset, stating,
“I think the more you play the game and the more you face various pitches and various pitchers and arm slots, everything, you have to be able to challenge yourself, and adjust depending on how you feel and what information you’re gaining within the at-bat. So I think I’ve definitely improved on that.”
His struggles against right-handed pitchers, especially due to spin and breaking balls, have been well documented. To address this, hitting coach Joe Mather revealed that Lawlar has been extensively training with advanced pitching machines like the Trajekt, which helps simulate pitcher deliveries and breaking ball spins.
Mather praised Lawlar’s swing choices on Saturday, calling them “elite,” and elaborated on the importance of recognizing pitch start points:
“Knowing where it needs to start, the sliders at the big-league level are really, really good. They look like a fastball for a long time and break off. He’s going to have to find a cue, find that starting point. He’s playing with some of those cues now, and he’ll have a rolodex as he gets older. Right now it’s picking up one cue at a time.”
Controlling the Strike Zone to Reduce Strikeouts
Lawlar’s offensive inconsistency has partly been linked to his difficulty managing pitches outside the fastball. Last season, he struck out 34% of the time in 74 MLB plate appearances and hit below .130 against off-speed pitches. His minor league strikeout rate of 22% offers a hopeful benchmark for improvement at the major league level. Manager Torey Lovullo emphasized the challenge Lawlar faces, noting,
“There’s no doubt that right-on-right stuff is hard on right-handed hitters. It’s (four-seamers) up with rip sliders, that seems to be a popular recipe. We want him to continue to control the zone, have good plate coverage, have awareness on the outer half, check off spin that isn’t there. We’ve seen that in spurts.”
Lovullo also expressed optimism about Lawlar’s potential, reflecting on the home run,
“That’s the type of at-bat we’ve seen at times, we just want it to be consistent.”
Pressure to Secure a Starting Role This Season
Unlike prior call-ups, when Lawlar contributed in a limited role, this season presents higher stakes with the expectation that consistent hitting will earn him a regular spot. Injuries to left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and right fielder Corbin Carroll complicate Arizona’s outfield depth to start the year, creating opportunity for Lawlar.
Other corner outfielders like Nolan Arenado, Alek Thomas, along with Carlos Santana and Pavin Smith, face offensive uncertainties, making Lawlar’s performance pivotal. Mather forecasts that Lawlar can hit for both average and power, citing his .298 career minor league average and .515 slugging percentage. Lawlar is yet to hit his first major league home run, increasing the urgency for him to prove his offensive value.
The Diamondbacks have roster flexibility with the designated hitter spot, offering some leeway for how the outfield is configured once Gurriel returns, likely around May or June. For now, Thomas is getting reps in left field during spring training, which clears a path for Lawlar in center field.
Using Athleticism and Commitment to Drive Success
Lawlar summarized his approach for the season:
“Being athletic, that’s my word this year. Whether it’s outfield, infield, or in the box, I wanna use my athleticism. After that, it comes down to your plan, which is your approach, and your timing. When you iron those out and commit to something, good things happen.”
Jordan Lawlar worked a 3-2 count, fouled off a couple pitches and then crushed a home run to left field in his first AB of the spring. pic.twitter.com/a9paLb7yd6
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) February 21, 2026
After hitting his first home run of the spring, Jordan Lawlar says he feels that he has improved at making in-at-bat adjustments coming into this season. pic.twitter.com/yNCthKWzM6
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 22, 2026
