Jordan Jeffrey-Joseph “JJJ” Lawlar

Jordan Lawlar is probably the one Diamondbacks prospect whom the average fan should be familiar with already. I think Lawlar deserves a mention specifically because of the bad impression the average fan probably has of him based on a microscopic sample size of plate appearences at the MLB level.. The main thing holding him back has actually been the inability to stay healty for extended periods, which this autbor finds extremely relatable, especially when he injured himself picking up a ball in a freak accident. Lawlar struggled with hitting at the Major League level so far, but he’s just far too intelligent and talented of a baseball player to not eventually succeed down the road. Hopefully he’s over the hump now having gotten his first hit in what probably felt like years, and the first extra base hit of his career. Lawlar when healthy is a 15+ home run threat with 30+stolen bases speed, who ironically should hit for average, while providing great defense at thirdbase or shortstop. He has dominated minor league pitching throughout his careeer, for example, in the 63 games and 300 plate appearences for the AAA level Reno Aces this season, he’s hitting .313/.403/.564 with 11 HR and 20 stolen bases, which equates to 29% better than average according to wRC+. As I pointed out early, the real problem is that he’s played in less that a hundred games at all levels combined the last two calendar years and it is now a real question if he can stay healthy long enough to be healthy everyday contributor. If he can stay healthy for an extended periodnof time, JJJ might be the next CC.

Ryan Waldschmidt is the Dbacks’ New #1 Prospect for a Reason

Since being drafted with the 31st pick overall of the 2024, Ryan Waldschmidt has done nothing but rake at each level of the minors. A 14 game stint in A ball level Visalia in 2024, where he hit .273/.485/.318 (a 142 wRC+) was enough for the D’backs to assign him to A+ Hillsboro in 2025. That wasn’t much of a challenge for the soon to be 23 year old outfielder, as he hit .268/.415/.447 and a 141 wRC+ in the 68 games he played for the Hops. In the 56 games since being promoted to the AA level Amarillo SodPoodles, he’s hit .290/.415/.478 with a 138 wRC+. In his 554 total plate appearences in 2025 he’s hitting .278 /415/.462 with 16 homeruns, 27 stolen bases, and a 140 wRC+. If Waldschmidt continues to hit at the same roughly fourty percent better than average while playing for Reno next season, I would imagine he will be called up sooner than you’d think.

Do Currently Injured Pitchers Really Count as Prospects?

If you’ve kept up with all the injuries to Dbacks pitchers this season, it should come as no surprise that a few of the organization’s top pitching prospects, that could potentially contribute next season are also dealing with injuries as well. Cristian Mena, who has been on the Injury List (IL) with shoulder strain since early June, has yet to throw off a mound in his rehab. Left Handed starting pitcher Kohl Drake, acquired in the Merrill Kelly trade, was placed on the IL on August 26th with a shoulder strain. Hunter Cranton, acquired in the Eugenio Suarez trade, has been on the IL since August 3rd. I would expect all three to be in the mix at the Major League level if healthy, but the again TINSTAAP is an enduring meme for a reason. If you don’t buy into that then, yes, of course they count as prospects, don’t be silly. These are fellow human beings. They have feelings. I root for everyone one of these players to succeed and you should too.