Diamondbacks Target Jordan Lawlar, Bolster Bench and Bullpen

The Arizona Diamondbacks are mapping a bold path for top prospect Jordan Lawlar in 2026. They want to give him most of his playing time in the outfield, not the infield, after a year of mixed results and a reshaped roster.

General manager Mike Hazen confirmed the plan. He says it’s part of a broader push to get more out of Lawlar’s bat and still keep the defense and bullpen steady.

The infield’s crowded. Geraldo Perdomo’s at short, Ketel Marte’s at second, and now Arenado’s arrival has changed third base. The outfield looks like the clearest route to everyday chances for Lawlar.

Arizona’s scouting and development teams believe in Lawlar’s Triple-A numbers—he hit .328/.414/.576 with 18 homers and 24 steals. They’re hoping that can translate to a real MLB impact, even though his major-league sample so far (.165/.241/.237, 34.3% strikeouts in 108 plate appearances) leaves something to be desired.

Lawlar in the Outfield for 2026

Arizona wants Lawlar to get regular playing time in the outfield. There’s just more room out there than on the infield.

This move lets the team use Lawlar’s bat more and shields his defensive development behind veterans.

Rationale behind the switch

Several things are driving the shift. Defensive struggles in the infield and Arenado’s arrival shrank Lawlar’s chances at short and third.

The infield’s full: Perdomo at short, Marte at second, and first base and corner-outfield spots already spoken for. In the outfield, the questions are fewer, and Lawlar has a better shot at regular at-bats.

Lawlar’s Triple-A performance shows serious upside. The organization wants to nurture that, not waste it by squeezing him into a bench role.

• Defensive fit: Perdomo, Marte, and Arenado block the infield.
• Offensive upside: Lawlar’s Triple-A numbers suggest his bat could stick if he gets the chance.
• Outfield opportunity: Carroll’s in right, Thomas in center, but there’s less crowding for a young hitter.
• MLB sample caveat: His major-league time is still a small sample, so the team wants a longer look in the outfield.

Outfield Path Opens Up for Lawlar

Arizona’s trying to give Lawlar a real shot, so they’ve reshaped the outfield depth and added bullpen arms. Trading Blaze Alexander opened up a clearer path in the outfield.

Moves to strengthen the bullpen show the club’s focus on both offense and pitching for 2026.

Key moves shaping the 2026 roster

• The Blaze Alexander trade cleared an outfield lane and brought back reliever Kade Strowd, who put up a 1.71 ERA in 26 1/3 MLB innings in 2025.
• Arizona picked up Taylor Clarke and signed Jonathan Loaisiga to a minor-league deal, showing they’d rather develop from within but still stay flexible for upgrades.
• Recent injuries—Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk both had elbow surgery—leave the bullpen needing more depth behind the main guys.

Bench Depth, 40-Man Roster, and Development Outlook

The D-backs’ bench is still pretty thin, especially when it comes to position players. The 40-man roster leans heavily toward pitchers.

James McCann is the most reliable backup. Tim Tawa and Jorge Barrosa haven’t done much in the majors yet.

Hazen will probably keep looking for more bench options and bullpen help. He’s got to juggle the immediate needs with the long-term development of Lawlar and the rest of the system.

What this means for Lawlar’s workload

• Lawlar’s everyday at-bats will hinge on roster moves and how he performs. The outfield looks like his main proving ground for now.
• The organization wants to keep an eye on his defensive adjustments. A more stable outfield alignment should help protect his long-term development, or at least that’s the hope.
• If Lawlar really takes off, the D-backs might finally give him a steady outfield role. That way, they can use his bat while still keeping enough depth to handle injuries or slumps.

 
Here is the source article for this story: D-backs Notes: Lawlar, Bullpen, Bench