Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar's move to center drawing strong reviews

Lawlar's transition from the infield to center field has earned praise from Diamondbacks coaches.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Jordan Lawlar, the Arizona Diamondbacks' converted infielder, is drawing strong reviews for his transition to center field during spring training. Diamondbacks outfield coach Dave McKay has been working with Lawlar on the nuances of the position, and Lawlar has impressed with his athleticism, jumps, and arm strength. The team believes Lawlar's well-rounded athletic background from playing multiple sports as a kid has helped him adapt to the outfield.

Why it matters

Lawlar, a former top prospect, is looking to bounce back after injuries limited his playing time the past couple of seasons. If he can prove he can handle center field, it could open up more opportunities for him to get consistent playing time and contribute to the Diamondbacks this year.

The details

Lawlar, who made his MLB debut late in the 2023 season, missed most of the 2024 season due to injury and was sidelined again by injuries last year. When he was on the field in the majors, his defense at second base and third base was at times shaky, and he hit just .182 in 28 games. However, Lawlar seemed to find a level of comfort in the big leagues in September, hitting .308/.364/.487 over his final 18 games.

  • Lawlar made his MLB debut late in the 2023 season.
  • Lawlar missed most of the 2024 season due to injury.
  • Lawlar was sidelined again by injuries last year.
  • Lawlar hit .308/.364/.487 over his final 18 games in September.

The players

Jordan Lawlar

A top prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks who is transitioning from the infield to center field.

J.R. Salinas

The area scout who tracked Lawlar's progress during his years as an amateur in the Dallas area.

Dave McKay

The outfield coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks who has been working with Lawlar on the nuances of playing center field.

Geraldo Perdomo

The Diamondbacks' starting shortstop, with Lawlar potentially serving as the backup.

Jose Fernandez

An infielder in the Diamondbacks' system who has stood out in spring training.

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What they’re saying

“He played center field for our scout team. He made it look soooo easy.”

— J.R. Salinas, area scout (azcentral.com)

“I feel really good out there. Just getting out there in different situations. The game is a great teacher. I'm having fun out there. Enjoying it. Track the ball down and go catch the ball.”

— Jordan Lawlar (azcentral.com)

“Usually, it's harder to bring an outfielder in to play the middle infield. It's a lot easier to bring a middle infielder out to the outfield. Usually, they're pretty good athletes.”

— Dave McKay, outfield coach (azcentral.com)

“He looks really, really good. We were out here earlier, and there were a few balls that found him. But every day, we're out there, we're doing more and more, and he's getting better and better and better.”

— Dave McKay, outfield coach (azcentral.com)

“He looks great. We've seen him now for four or five years and he's certainly grown up and filled out. He's a very strong young man that's impacting the baseball and playing very good defense.”

— Torey Lovullo, manager (azcentral.com)

What’s next

If Lawlar shows this spring he can handle center field, he likely will get an opportunity during the season to log significant at-bats. He also could serve as the team's backup shortstop to Geraldo Perdomo, though he likely won't move back there full-time in the event that Perdomo misses significant time.

The takeaway

Lawlar's transition to center field has been a positive development for the Diamondbacks, as they look to get the talented prospect back on track after injuries hampered his progress the past couple of seasons. If Lawlar can solidify himself as a capable center fielder, it could open up more playing time and opportunities for him to contribute to the team this year.