As the stretch run of MLB’s 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. Lawlar to debut:
The Diamondbacks are expected to promote top infield prospect Jordan Lawlar prior to tonight’s game against the Cubs. The club already cleared space for Lawlar on the active and 40-man rosters by designating Nick Ahmed for assignment last night, so no corresponding moves will be necessary to select Lawlar. A consensus top-25 prospect who even reaches the top-10 of some lists, the 21-year-old Lawlar was selected sixth overall in the 2021 draft and is widely considered to feature plus tools across the board. He’s had a particularly successful season in the minor leagues this year, slashing an impressive .278/.378/.496 in 490 trips to the plate between the Double-A and Triple-A levels despite facing much older competition. Going forward, Lawlar figures to slot into the Arizona lineup at third base. His first assignment will be taking on 25-year-old right-hander Javier Assad (2.69 ERA in 87 innings) at Wrigley Field this evening.
2. Garcia to undergo MRI:
As noted by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters following last night’s loss that outfielder Adolis Garcia is scheduled to undergo an MRI today. Garcia exited yesterday’s game with what was termed “right knee discomfort” after crashing into the outfield wall while trying rob a home run off the bat of Michael Brantley. With the postseason rapidly approaching and the Rangers now on the outside-looking-in of the playoff picture, half a game back of the Blue Jays for the final AL Wild Card spot, Garcia missing anything more than a couple of days would be nothing short of devastating for Texas.
A second-time All Star in 2023, Garcia has paired excellent outfield defense with a .244/.322/.494 slash line in 580 trips to the plate, good for a wRC+ of 118. His 34 home runs this season leave him with the third best total in the AL and tied for eighth on the major league leaderboard with Braves third baseman Austin Riley. Only the club’s big-money middle infield duo of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien have accrued more fWAR than Garcia for the Rangers this season. In the event Garcia misses significant time, the Rangers would likely have to turn to Travis Jankowski as a regular in their outfielder down the stretch or promote top prospect Evan Carter, who was only recently elevated to Triple-A after slashing .284/.411/.451 at the Double-A level.
3. Will Grichuk go unclaimed again?
The Angels have reportedly placed outfielder Randal Grichuk back on waivers, once again leaving the 32-year-old veteran’s future with the club up in the air. Grichuk was the only player to go unclaimed when the Angels placed half a dozen veterans on expiring contracts on waivers late last month, with Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Matt Moore, Dominic Leone and Hunter Renfroe each finding new homes.
While Grichuk is still just a league-average bat on the year and would be ineligible to join a club’s postseason roster, he’s gotten hot recently with a .333/.379/.630 slash line in eight games since first being put on waivers at the end of August. It’s at least conceivable that a team in the thick of the playoff race with a need for outfield help could claim him and look to ride his recent hot stretch through the remainder of the regular season. The Marlins, as one example, recently lost Jorge Soler to the injured list, while the Giants are in need of an offensive boost after posting league-worst figures since the All Star break. Grichuk has been particularly effective against lefties, slashing .314/.375/.559 in 112 plate appearances this season.
I still don’t understand how John Mozeliak sold Adolis Garcia for 30 pieces of silver to the Texas Rangers and then didn’t claim him when they DFAed him in 2020?
> for 30 pieces of silver
Ooooooo!!!! shiny treasure!!!
wouldn’t it have been odder if he dealt him then brought him back?
Not necessarily. Some teams have players that leave and go back multiple times. The Braves with Adam Duvall and Jesse Chavez, for example.
Wait till you see Jordan Lawler, DBACKS better sign these young guys now
Jack Buckley: I hope Lawlaw is everything I’ve heard he is so he can help knock the cubs out of the WC race. Four wins in that band box where doubles turn into HR’s because of those baskets hanging out into the IF. It should be illegal if only Manfred would do something other than make rules to ruin the game of bb.
Also, Garcia may not have found the same success if he stayed in STL.
This.
None of the other supposed “stud” Outfielders coming through the Cardinals system have put up close to the numbers Garcia has since joining the Rangers. Getting away from the Cardinals may have been the best thing for him
Evan Carter time! The RoY draft pick comp is a nonsensical reason to not promote a guy for the regular season playoff push. Making the playoffs >>> some draft pick Texas will blow pn a pitcher they will then proceed to ruin
Losing Garcia would be a huge blow to a Rangers team already in a tailspin, though i suppose they could always claim Grichuck…
Every team needs a surprise Grichug!
Lawlar is legit.. Her is my lineup
1. Lawlaer SS R
2. Marte 2B S
3. Carroll RF L
4. Walker 1B R
5. Gurriel LF R
6. Thomas CF L
7. Moreno C R
8. Pham DH R
9. Perdomo 3B S
This is the kind of player the White Sox should be picking up, not someone who has been dfa’d six times by other bottom feeders
Grichuk could be a fit for either the Marlins or Rangers. Perhaps Arte will get his wish, err, money.
Got to see Lawlar play 3 games for the Sod Poodles in early August while I was talking to the team about doing some work for them.
He is a good young player. From what I saw I think his numbers in AA are more indicative of what his level of hitting will be in the majors than what he put up in AAA Reno.
He did everything well, but nothing exceptionally well. To me he seemed like a good all around player that should be able to stick at SS, but will never be that kid you say “I will go to the game just to see him play” like you might a Trea Turner. Lindor, or Seager because of the exciting things they do with their bat, glove or legs.