Ain’t No Fang podcast: D-backs prospect Jordan Lawlar embraces new challenge

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Jordan Lawlar has taken to his assignment well this season with a central goal in mind.

“Every day I’ve come to the field with the mindset of being a big leaguer and performing like a big leaguer,” Lawlar told Arizona Sports’ Ain’t No Fang podcast on Thursday. “So that’s where my mindset’s been since I walked in the clubhouse this spring, and I haven’t let that go.”

The Diamondbacks sent Lawlar to Triple-A Reno to start the season with the goal of having him play every day after he missed significant time due to injuries last year.

He’s been working on refining his offensive approach while working on adding defensive versatility. When D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte landed on the injured list in early April, the club called up Tim Tawa, who had more experience at the position than Lawlar.

Lawlar has been acclimating to the position while continuing to play shortstop and third base.

“It’s always fun to move around and see different perspectives on the field,” Lawlar said. “I always love a new opportunity.”

Lawlar said he’s never played second base before this year, sticking to shortstop with a little center field mixed in growing up.

Veteran Ildemaro Vargas has helped him with the adjustment.

“Maybe initially it was probably flipping, everything,” Lawlar said of the biggest adjustment. “Then once you get enough reps there, you start to feel comfortable with that. Now I feel pretty confident really anywhere on the field.”

Jordan Lawlar makes the impossible look routine 🤯@MiLB | @ESPNAssignDesk | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/GWp2ZE4Lb3

— Reno Aces (@Aces) April 16, 2025

At the plate, Lawlar went on a heater in April. He won the Pacific Coast League Player of the Month, hitting .408/.487/.748 with six home runs over 25 games during the first full month of action.

He currently leads the PCL with 23 extra-base hits and 84 total bases. He’s hit 15 doubles this year and added 12 stolen bases, showing that power-speed dynamic that has lifted him to top prospect status.

The PCL is a notoriously hitter-friendly league with ballparks where the ball flies, like Reno’s. For Lawlar, the stats are great, but controlling the zone and providing productive at-bats are how he’d judging his success.

“Quality of my approach at the plate, I would say going in with a plan and self-evaluating how I executed that plan,” Lawlar said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. … You have to control what you can control for the most part. If I go up there with a plan, make in-at-bat adjustments, I think that’s probably the biggest thing I hang my hat on.”

Back-to-back games with a jack for Jordan Lawlar 💪

MLB's No. 10 prospect (@Dbacks) tallies his fourth extra-base hit in his past 10 at-bats for the Triple-A @Aces. pic.twitter.com/ZJlJLeJoYi

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 16, 2025

Lawlar said he’s been watching the Diamondbacks closely this season. In Reno, he’s working with a mix of young players looking to become big leaguers and those who have experienced major league success, such as Jake McCarthy and Trey Mancini, the latter of whom has a locker next to Lawlar’s.

This season in many ways has started off as well as it could have for Lawlar on the field, particularly with his availability, and he is expected to play a role for the D-backs when the time is deemed right.

“His development is coming fast and hopefully he joins us sooner than later,” manager Torey Lovullo said this week. “When that is, I’m not sure.”

Jordan Lawlar credits Dominican Winter League

A major boost for Lawlar after his injury-impacted 2024 season came during the offseason. He played for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League, an experience he’s still glowing about.

“It was such a good experience and I have a couple teammates down here that have played many seasons of winter ball. Having (Cristian Pache) on the team, we were teammates down there, to be able to have those shared experiences with some of the Latin guys that have gone down and bring those memories and experiences back to the States has definitely helped my game,” Lawlar said.

Lawlar appreciated the chance to play in an environment where the fans are so passionate and games have higher stakes given shorter season.

Even his Spanish is coming around.

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