Diamondbacks Option Ryan Waldschmidt Following Struggles at the Plate

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt to Triple-A Reno on Thursday in a corresponding move after reinstating Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the 10-day injured list. Waldschmidt, who was called up in May to cover center field, has struggled in his recent 65 plate appearances with a .180/.231/.262 line, including a 36.9% strikeout rate and just 4.6% walk rate.

Waldschmidt entered the 2024 season as the team’s top prospect and had impressed at the Triple-A level with a .289/.400/.477 slash line in 156 plate appearances. His initial MLB call-up came after the team designated Alek Thomas for assignment and traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Waldschmidt started strong with a .353/.411/.471 line in his first 57 plate appearances, but his production has tailed off dramatically since.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have seen key players return to the lineup. Jordan Lawlar, who broke his wrist in early April, was reinstated from the injured list this week. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who missed three weeks with a hamstring strain, is also back in the fold. The current lineup features Corbin Carroll in right field, Tommy Troy in left, and Lawlar in center with Gurriel at designated hitter.

Lawlar has long been on the cusp of a big league breakout. He made his debut in 2023 but was blocked by Thomas and struggled with both offense and defense. After the team acquired Nolan Arenado to play third base, Lawlar moved to the outfield and hit .320/.414/.480 in eight games before his injury. With Waldschmidt struggling and Thomas gone, Lawlar now has an opportunity to establish himself in center field.

Waldschmidt will head to Reno to regroup. The 24-year-old has always shown strong plate discipline in the minors but has yet to replicate that in the majors. If he can adjust and stay down for 20 days, he will use his first of three option years. He has only 112 at-bats at the MLB level this season, meaning he could remain a rookie through 2027 if he spends the rest of the year in the minors.

The move also creates flexibility for the Diamondbacks as they sort out their outfield depth. Gurriel is an impending free agent, and his $14 million club option with a $5 million buyout hinges on a late-season surge. Troy, who can play multiple positions, may shift to a utility role. If both Lawlar and Waldschmidt continue to develop, the team could revisit their roles in the future.

The Diamondbacks will look to build momentum as they prepare for their next game against the San Francisco Giants on Friday.