Fantasy News

• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Sidelined after thumb surgery

  Rotowire Mar 27, 2024

  Diamondbacks farm director Shaun Larkin said that Lawlar will undergo surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and could have a "full return to baseball activity in 8-to-10 weeks," Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Lawlar, the organization's top prospect, was optioned to Triple-A Reno on March 10, but he could have put himself on the radar for an early-season call-up if he had gotten off to a hot start at the plate during the Pacific Coast League season. However, after jamming his thumb and tearing a ligament while trying to field a ball off the ground with his throwing hand during a minor-league spring training game Sunday, Lawlar now looks like he'll be sidelined until at least early June while he recovers from surgery. The injury shouldn't dramatically alter Lawlar's long-term outlook in dynasty leagues, but it makes him a tough player to stash in redraft formats since he'll be headed for a multi-month absence to begin the season.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Optioned to Triple-A

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2024

  Lawlar was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday. The Diamondbacks already confirmed Geraldo Perdomo as their starting shortstop to begin the season, so it's not a surprise Lawlar will open in the minors since the organization wants him to see consistent at-bats. The 21-year-old struggled in his first taste of the majors last season with a .129 average in 34 plate appearances and has just 16 games under his belt at Triple-A, though he posted a 1.050 OPS while with Reno late last year. Lawlar could be up with the Diamondbacks before long to receive a starting chance if Perdomo falters.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Needs consistent at-bats

  Rotowire Feb 20, 2024

  Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Lawlar would need consistent at-bats if he were to make the Opening Day roster, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. Lawlar was left off Gilbert's initial roster projection, which generated pushback from unhappy readers. Gilbert explained his projection was based on the language used by Hazen regarding the Diamondbacks' prospect. It's natural for the organization to give Lawlar a path to consistent playing time, but that's unlikely to happen if he's backing up Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop -- manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Perdomo would be the starter last week -- and Eugenio Suarez at third base. Given that scenario, it makes sense for the Diamondbacks to have Lawlar play everyday at Triple-A Reno, where he had just 80 plate appearances in 2023.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Makes roster for wild-card series

  Rotowire Oct 3, 2023

  Lawlar has made the roster for the Diamondbacks' NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Brewers. Lawlar went 4-for-31 (.129) with zero extra-base hits after being promoted Sept. 7 from Triple-A Reno, but he is a highly talented 21-year-old infielder with the ability to provide a spark off the bench. Prior to his call-up last month, Lawlar registered an .874 OPS with 20 homers and 36 steals in 105 games this summer between the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: On bench Tuesday

  Rotowire Sep 19, 2023

  Lawlar is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Giants. Lawlar has gone 3-for-20 (.150) with zero extra-base hits and eight strikeouts in eight major-league games since being called up Sept. 7 from Triple-A Reno. It appears the talented 21-year-old infielder will be a part-time player for the Diamondbacks down the stretch.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Sitting Friday

  Rotowire Sep 15, 2023

  Lawlar isn't in Arizona's lineup Friday against the Cubs. Lawlar has gone just 2-for-17 at the plate through the first six games of his MLB career, so the D-backs will sit him against Justin Steele. Geraldo Perdomo will fill in at shortstop while Evan Longoria covers third base Friday.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: On bench Thursday

  Rotowire Sep 14, 2023

  Lawlar is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets. Lawlar has gone 2-for-16 (.125) with no walks and seven strikeouts in five major-league games since his promotion from Triple-A Reno last week. Geraldo Perdomo will start at shortstop and bat ninth for the Diamondbacks on Thursday as Emmanuel Rivera covers third base and hits eighth.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Sitting Sunday

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Lawlar (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs. The rookie shortstop exited Saturday's contest after being hit by a pitch on his right hand, though according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, manager Torey Luvollo said Lawlar's hand is fine and he's simply receiving a day off. Geraldo Perdomo will shift to shortstop while Emmanuel Rivera starts at the hot corner.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Bats second, HBP

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Lawlar batted second and was hit by a pitch on a knuckle of his right hand in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Cubs, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports. He remained in the game but is considered day-to-day. Lawlar, who was hit by a pitch in the top of the 10th inning, stayed in the game and eventually scored the game-winning run. He also made a nice defensive play in the bottom of the 10th, but the Diamondbacks are awaiting results of imaging conducted following the game before making a determination of his status for the series finale Sunday. The prospect made a third consecutive start since being promoted from Triple-A Reno, and manager Torey Lovullo moved him up in the batting order against a left-hander. Lawlar batted eighth in his first two starts, which came against right-handers. He has one hit in 11 at-bats and has struck out six times over 12 plate appearances.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Starts again

  Rotowire Sep 9, 2023

  Lawlar started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Friday's 1-0 win over the Cubs. Lawlar made a second consecutive start after getting called up Thursday. It was a version of the lineup that Arizona manager Torey Lovullo described as "where I'm at right now," to Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic. "I definitely had some options, but I just feel like for right now, I wanted to lean on him a little bit and continue to do so," the manager said. It sounds like Lawlar will be a near-everyday starter.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Makes MLB debut

  Rotowire Sep 8, 2023

  Lawlar started at shortstop and went 1-for-4 in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Cubs. Lawlar was promoted from Triple-A Reno ahead of Thursday's series opener and made his MLB debut. He collected his first hit in the fourth inning, beating out an infield grounder to third base, and made a couple of nifty plays in the field. Of note, the Diamondbacks faced a right-hander -- prior to Lawlar's promotion, that typically meant the switch-hitting Geraldo Perdomo would be at shortstop while a rotation of lefty batters handled third base. That changed Thursday as Perdomo moved to third base, suggesting he and Lawler could make up the left side of Arizona's infield the rest of the year, regardless of who's on the mound for the opposition.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Possible waiver wire pickups

  Rotowire Sep 7, 2023

  The full-season line for Lawlar -- a .278 batting average, 20 homers, 36 steals and .874 OPS -- is solid enough, but that's after a dreadful start in which he batted .199 for two months. Suffice it to say he was a hit machine thereafter, and in 16 games after moving up to Triple-A Reno, he batted .358 (24 for 67) with five homers and a 1.049 OPS. The trajectory is reminiscent of Anthony Volpe during his final minor-league season, which is fitting since Lawlar profiles similarly as a hitter. He's able to maximize his modest raw power by elevating the ball to his pull side, and even if his home run tally falls a little short, his on-base skills and base-stealing prowess make for a nice floor. He's expected to split time between shortstop and third base for the Diamondbacks, presumably playing every day as they fight for a playoff spot, and while he's no certainty to thrive as a 21-year-old, the upside makes him worth adding anywhere you need infield or stolen base help.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Locked in at Double-A

  Rotowire Jun 13, 2023

  Lawlar only has eight strikeouts in his last 16 games for Double-A Amarillo and is hitting .368 with three home runs and five steals in 68 at-bats over that stretch. Something has seemingly clicked for Lawlar, as he had a 31.7 percent strikeout rate in his first 32 games of the season and has an 11 percent strikeout rate over his last 16 games. The 20-year-old shortstop's .286 BABIP and early-season strikeout woes are suppressing his season numbers, but he is still on track for a 20/30 season and should get a promotion to Triple-A this summer if his current plate skills hold.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: GM stays positive amid slump

  Rotowire May 24, 2023

  Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen is not bothered by Lawlar's slump to start the season at Double-A Amarillo, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. The shortstop and Arizona's top prospect is batting .165/.299/.331 over 147 plate appearances. Hazen said he prefers if all prospects could be like Corbin Carroll but spun Lawlar's struggles as a positive, noting the adversity gives a young player a chance to adjust and figure it out. "It's probably more approach, pitch selection, how he's being pitched," Hazen said. Specifically, the organization is focused on Lawlar's reaction to pitches on the inner half, trying to keep the ball away from him and using the entire field. One bright note is that slump has not affected his defense, which Hazen noted has been "exceptional."

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Struggling at Double-A

  Rotowire May 22, 2023

  Lawlar has returned to action after missing a few days for Double-A Amarillo with a wrist injury. The 20-year-old shortstop is slashing .162/.296/.342 with five home runs and 10 steals in 32 games. Dating back to last year, Lawlar has a .183/.297/.347 slash line and 73:30 K:BB in 52 games at Double-A. He has a high power/speed ceiling, but legitimate hit tool concerns are starting to emerge. However, his .203 BABIP this season is a sign of some misfortune, and his 29.7 percent line drive rate, 37.8 percent flyball rate and 29 percent hard-hit rate are all signs of strong quality of contact. Lawlar's stock has decreased this season, but there are reasons to expect his performance to trend up.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Plays hero in comeback

  Rotowire Apr 27, 2023

  Lawlar went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI for Double-A Amarillo in Wednesday's comeback win over Frisco. Lawlar figured prominently in the Sod Poodles' improbable comeback. With Amarillo trailing 11-1 in the seventh, Lawler jacked a three-run homer to begin the comeback. The team scored another seven runs in the eighth before Lawlar walked off the RoughRiders with a single in the 10th. The Diamondbacks' highly regarded shortstop prospect has an .835 OPS with four homers, two doubles, 12 RBI, six steals and nine runs through 15 games.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Maintains on-base streak

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2023

  Lawlar went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and a stolen base for Double-A Amarillo on Saturday. Lawlar launched his second home run of the season in the fourth inning and has reached base safely in all eight games for the Sod Poodles, who went by their alternate identity, the Calf Fries, on Saturday. Lawlar is 8-for-29 with six walks and four extra-base hits while stealing four bases.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Flashing in Arizona Fall League

  Rotowire Oct 13, 2022

  Lawlar hit just .212/.299/.353 over 20 games in Double-A to wrap up the 2022 regular season, but he's impressed through six contests in the Arizona Fall League, smashing two homers and stealing two bases with a 7:7 BB:K. It's well worth keeping in mind the context of Lawlar's small sample of Double-A struggles -- this is a 20-year-old kid who was on his second promotion of the season after opening in Single-A. Lawlar's overall line is a far more accurate indicator of his potential: .303/.401/.509 with 16 home runs, 39 steals and a 57:115 BB:K. He'll need to clip that strikeout rate a bit and show more power in the high minors, but Lawlar certainly looks the part of a future All-Star. Arizona probably won't rush him to the big leagues, so look for him to spend much of 2023 in Double-A, with a mid-to-late-season promotion to Triple-A if he excels as expected.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Adjusting to High-A

  Rotowire Jul 31, 2022

  Lawlar went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for High-A Hillsboro on Saturday. After initial struggles following his promotion from Single-A Visalia, Lawlar has found a groove with multiple hits in three of the last seven games for the High-A affiliate. He's 9-for-32 (.281) with four doubles, two RBI and six runs scored during that stretch.

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• Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Added to Futures game

  Rotowire Jul 14, 2022

  Lawlar has been added to the All-Star Futures Game as an injury replacement, Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic reports. Lawlar joins fellow Arizona prospect Corbin Carroll as participants in the showcase of minor-league talent. He's batting .332 in the minors this season, with most of that work at Single-A Visalia. Lawlar was promoted to High-A Hillsboro last week and is batting .095 (2-for-21) through six games for the Hops.

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