One of the brightest young prospect stars in the Major League galaxy now wears an Arizona Diamondbacks uniform.

The Diamondbacks promoted shortstop Jordan Lawlar, 21, to their big league club September 7th.

Lawlar just turned 21 in July.

Manager Torey Lovullo has indicated that down the stretch Lawlar will be the starting shortstop for Arizona, as veteran Nick Ahmed, 33, was designated for assignment.

MLB. com has shared the following, “He’ll be the starting shortstop,” Lovullo said. “And then I just want to inject him into the lineup whenI can for the right matchup in the right situation.”

In his first MLB game September 7, Lawlar played short and hit 8th in the lineup. He went 1-for-4, with an infield single.

Lovullo will have to find room in his lineup for infielder Geraldo Perdomo, a switch-hitter with a reliable bat, and glove. Perdomo played third base in Lawlar’s debut game. Perdomo was the primary Diamondbacks shortstop this season.

Lawlar is on the club when the Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs this weekend in a crucial four-game series in Chicago. Both the Diamondbacks and Cubs are vying for a Wild Card spot in the competitive National League. Arizona took the first game in the series, 6-2.

Jordan Lawlar was a 2021 1st round selection of the Diamondbacks out of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.

Lawlar hit .412 with six homers, and 37 RBIs as a senior.

Lawlar was the No. 6 player taken in the draft. He received a $6,713,300 signing bonus.

Lawlar had committed to play baseball at Vanderbilt University, but chose to sign with the Diamondbacks.

Lawlar was the Texas Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year in 2021.

A right-handed hitter, Lawlar has an excellent, athletic frame for a big league shortstop. He is 6-1, 190 pounds.

This scout had the opportunity to briefly observe Lawlar in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, where he played for Salt River last fall.

Lawlar played only 11 Fall League games before he was hit by a pitch, and suffered a fractured scapula (shoulder blade.) It was a shame his season was cut short, because he was off to a very good start.

Lawlar was having a nice fall, as he was hitting .278, with a double, a triple, and two homers among his 10 hits in 49 plate appearances. He struck out 14 times, but accepted 11 walks.

This scout also saw Lawlar in Diamondbacks spring training.

Overall, this observer saw above-average patience at the plate.

Using an upright stance, Lawlar drives the ball up the middle, just as prospects are taught.

Lawlar’s swing is natural, and measured. He clearly doesn’t try to force an aggressive, uppercut approach. Rather, his swing shows an appropriate amount of uppercut, and very good bat speed.

With better than average pitch recognition for his age and experience, Lawlar makes excellent contact. He puts the ball in play, and while he can flash power, he doesn’t try to hit the long ball with every plate appearance. His power is emerging, and more will come.

Using the entire field, Lawlar will get his share of doubles and triples, especially in his home park at Chase Field.

Lawlar has excellent speed on the bases. In the current MLB environment, he should be able to steal bases and take an extra base with that good speed, and good overall baseball instincts.

Defensively, this scout saw enough first-step quickness and sufficient range from the hole at shortstop that will allow Lawlar to remain at that position. To this scout, he profiles as a shortstop, not a middle-infielder, subject to moving to second base.

But, it is also this scout’s opinion that Lawlar can be very successful at third base, a position he may be asked to play with the Diamondbacks. He played third a couple times right before his promotion. Time will tell where he plays.

In addition to his first-step quickness and range, Lawlar has good enough arm strength and overall accuracy to make every play.

Yes, there may be some hiccups as he adjusts to major league fields, and major league hitters. But he will not only survive, he will thrive.

Lawlar spent this year at Double-A Amarillo, and Triple-A Reno. He played 89 games at Amarillo, and 16 games at Reno.

Combined, Lawlar hit .278/.378/.496/.874 in 490 plate appearances. He hit 23 doubles, four triples, and 20 home runs, including five at Reno. He drove in 67 runs.

Lawlar struck out 101 times in his minor league season. However, only 12 of them came at Reno, in his 80 plate appearances.

Lawlar drew 56 walks this year, a reflection of his good pitch recognition and patience at the plate.

Lawlar stole a combined 36 bases in 41 attempts, which highlights his above average speed and running technique.

Lawlar made only 11 errors this season, in 394 chances. That’s an excellent record for a young shortstop in development.

Overall, after watching Lawlar play several games, this scout assigned a grade of 60 to Jordan Lawlar. That translates to a well-above average major league quality player, with the ability to make several All Star teams in his future. The grade also reflects a player with multiple, above-average tools and skills.

It remains to be seen if Lawlar claims the shortstop position next season on an improving, but young Diamondbacks club.

For this scout, Lawlar has just scratched the surface of his talent. He has an excellent opportunity to start next season, and many more, as the Diamondbacks starting shortstop.