The Debate Is Over: Jordan Lawlar Should Be In The Big Leagues Now

By Ken Turley

The Arizona Diamondbacks are off to a pretty strong start in 2025 so far, sitting at 13–9 after a gritty road trip. However, the season so far has not been without its share of questionable decisions, poor performances, and unfortunately injuries. Arizona has done fairly well despite these factors, but if this team is serious about competing in a loaded NL West and surviving a wave of early injuries, every win truly does matter and they need to position themselves with the best opportunity to win games each and every time out there. The main way to do that is by making a move that is literally staring them in the face: it's time to call up Jordan Lawlar.

Not next week. Not when another injury happens. Now.

Now we all know fans are not always right, and we can all be short-sighted form time to time, but the data and argument for Lawlar being called up is pretty clear. Let's dive into some of the reasons right now:

🔥 Lawlar’s Triple-A Numbers Demand Attention

Let’s just start with the obvious—Jordan Lawlar is raking. Through 83 at-bats with Triple-A Reno, the 21-year-old shortstop is hitting .325 with a .423 OBP, 1.050 OPS, 5 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases. His bat looks electric, his approach is mature, and he’s shown the kind of spark that front offices wait for before making a move. This isn’t just a hot streak—it’s a top prospect performing like someone who’s already outgrown Triple-A. Now yes, this is in Reno (hitter friendly) and against AAA pitching, but I don't think it is fair to hold it against him until he is called up and doesn't deliver at least similar numbers at the big league level.

🧩 The Roster Needs Him—Right Now

Arizona’s depth has already been tested. Ketel Marte is nursing a hamstring injury, and while players like Tim Tawa and Garret Hampson are doing their best to hold things down, there’s no denying Lawlar offers more offensive upside and long-term value by a large margin. Let's look at the 2 players with the big league club that are currently keeping Lawlar in Reno.

Garrett Hampson

No Hampson does offer the ability to be versatile and play good defense around the infield, but the bat has been non-existent so far. I know it is early in the season and he doesn't have a large amount of at-bats, but he's a journeyman utility infielder who shouldn't have to be counted on consistently. He is hitting .133 with 0 RBIs, 4 BBs, and has sturck out 7 times in 23 at-bats. It is early, but there's a lot to be desired here from a production standpoint.

Tim Tawa

Tim is a great story overall. Good ballplayer who started off hot in AAA and deserved a shot in the big leagues at some point. He hasn't been awful, but he hasn't been good either.

Tawa is hitting just .185 so far this season with AZ but has hit 2 HR and 6 RBIs in just 27 ABs. This is not even a knock on Tawa as he is just getting his feet wet, but this team needs more consistency and we aren't getting it as of yet from Tawa.

Performance comparison of three baseball players over their last 10 games

Eugenio Suarez

Now before everyone freaks out...No, I am not advocating for getting rid of Geno! But the truth of the matter is that after he get red hot to start the season, he has slumped down real bad at the plate. He holds a meager .156 BA and just a .261 OBP. His saving grace for the Dbacks has been his clutch power hitting as it has been a key difference in a few games this year.

Lawlar's Versatility

Jordan Lawlar isn’t limited to one role. While he’s a natural shortstop, he’s been taking reps at second base and third as well—giving Torey Lovullo the kind of lineup flexibility this team needs. Now with Perdomo slotted as the SS of the team for the next several years, Lwalar looks to be a 3B/2B type of player and that means key veterans like Ketel Marte or Geno can DH or rest more easily. Whether it’s filling in for Marte, pushing Suarez into more of a DH bat role, or simply being a spark plug at the bottom of the order, Lawlar fits multiple needs without compromising defense at all.

Lawlar's Upside on Offense

We all know Jordan didn't fair well in his very limited time in the big leagues in 2023, but it was extremely short and the D-backs were in a playoff race and weren't in a position to give a rookie September call-up a bunch of at-bats. Lawlar who is now fully healthy looks to be shaping into what his top prospect profile has suggested for the past few years. His profule grades out to be a high average hitter with 20-30 HR potential and a major threat on the base paths too. You cannot keep a guy with that much potential in AAA forever.

🚑 The D-backs Have Holes, and Lawlar Can Patch Them

Let’s face it: the team has holes. The bullpen’s been shaky. The bottom of our order is still a major question mark. And the lineup needs more contact-and-speed guys to support its big boppers. The longer Arizona waits to get more impact players in the mix, the more pressure builds on Carroll, Naylor, and the front half of the rotation to carry the load. Lawlar isn’t a luxury call-up anymore—he’s becoming a necessity. You have to figure out if he can be an option this season for us or not.

📈 Why Wait on a Future That’s Already Here?

Jordan Lawlar isn’t just a promising piece for the future. He’s a ready-made big leaguer who fits this roster right now. His speed can be game-changing. His bat is looking like it is major-league ready. And his swagger fits right into what Arizona’s building—a fearless, athletic team that wants to cause chaos on the basepaths and win gritty games in October.

Every day he stays in Reno is another day of missed opportunity.

Bottom line: The Diamondbacks need a spark. They need athleticism. They need offense. And they need to start thinking like a contender. Lawlar checks every box. The only question left is whether the front office has the guts to make the move.

The debate is over. Jordan Lawlar should be in the big leagues—starting now.