The reigning NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping that top prospect Jordan Lawlar makes a full recovery from the offseason thumb surgery which he had in late March.
Lawlar, who also happens to be the No.11 ranked prospect in the sport according to MLB Pipeline, is hoping for a summer or early fall call up to the Diamondbacks.
Following recovery from what team officials described as a ruptured UCL in his left thumb, the dynamic shortstop will join the Triple-A Reno Aces. Team farm director Shaun Larkin spoke to reporters about a possible timetable to get the rising star back on the diamond.
“We expect full return to baseball activity in eight to ten weeks.”
That’s a welcome sign for team brass who are hoping to have Lawlar join the majors at some point this season. But the oft-injured Lawlar must show he can stay healthy for that to happen.
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Team Wont Rush Lawlar To Get Back
As a precautionary measure Larkin also told reporters this about Lawlar’s recovery going forward ….
“We’re expecting a full recovery,” Larkin said. “He’ll be ready to go when the time is right and we expect good things from him once he’s back.”
The injury occurred in a late March spring game where Lawlar went to make a play on what looked like a routine grounder.
“It was more of a recovery play,” Larkin said. “He went to pick up the off the ground and his thumb jammed into the ground, bent it back, and that was it.”
It was inauspicious start to Lawlar’s expected big 2024 season where he was set to spend a little time down in Triple-A and then get a quick call up.
What Does Lawlar Bring To Diamondbacks?
Between stints in Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno, Lawlar showcased the all-around skill set that made him the No.6 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
In 417 at-bats he batted a respectable .278 with 20 homers, 67 RBI and 36 stolen bases. His .893 OPS was one of the best in all of the minor leagues. That didn’t translate right away when he was called up to the majors last season with the NL champion Diamondbacks as like most young players he struggled. In 31 at-bats Lawlar batted .129 with no homers, one RBI and a paltry .335 OPS.
He saw some brief action late last season as well and this spring looked MLB ready.
But don’t fret, the belief in and around the Diamondbacks facility is Lawlar, will be one of the best hitters on the roster once he gets healthy and gets into the groove of being an everyday Big Leaguer.
With a loaded roster of steadily rising young talent Lawlar stands out because of his unique skill set; great bat and great glove at shortstop.
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