Jordan Lawlar crushes 1st career home run in Diamondbacks-Braves

PHOENIX — This has been a big week for Arizona Diamondbacks youngsters hitting their first major league home runs, as Jordan Lawlar put himself on the board Thursday against the Atlanta Braves.

Lawlar attacked a first-pitch fastball from Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez and slugged it 424 feet to left-center field, a no-doubter that landed about a dozen rows back.

Jordan Lawlar LAUNCHES his first Major League homer! pic.twitter.com/cHTlTaK9gW

— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2026

“Amazing,” Lawlar said. “Just kind of had a good feeling today and committed to my plan and executed. Didn’t really feel like anything coming off the bat. I checked the exit velocity just to make sure and then ran around the bases and got the silent treatment in the dugout, so that was pretty cool.”

The home run ended up being the highlight of an otherwise poor performance from Arizona, which lost 17-2. Lawlar left the game after getting hit on the right hand by a pitch. His X-rays were negative, but he will get a CT scan on Friday to make sure.

Lawlar is the second Diamondbacks player to hit his first career home run during this opening homestand, as Jose Fernandez captured attention by hitting two home runs in his big league debut on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers.

Thursday was Lawlar’s 48th major league game, and his first home run was a couple years in the making (126th plate appearance). He debuted in September 2023, struggled with injuries in 2024 and went through a 2025 campaign that started with an 0-for-31 streak in the major leagues before he finished strong.

“I got to the end of the dugout and then one of our assistant strength coaches, Scott Cline, was at the end,” Lawlar said of the silent treatment. “I was like I’m just gonna hug him. So I made him hug me and then I put my stuff up and then everybody kind of swarmed me.”

The 23-year-old hit 11 home runs in 63 minor league games last year and clubbed four more during a stellar Cactus League performance this spring.

Lawlar made the Opening Day roster for the first time out of spring training, earning a starting role as an outfielder. He has fielded his new position well and entered Thursday hitting .313 with a double in his first five games.

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