Lawlar cranks homer on three-hit night

May 22nd, 2022

Jordan Lawlar did exactly what a designated hitter is supposed to: mash the baseball.

MLB Pipeline's No. 20 overall prospect continued to put on a hitting clinic in Single-A Visalia's 7-6 win over Lake Elsinore on Saturday night.

The 19-year-old is fresh off his first season after being drafted No. 6 overall in 2021. He played just two games in his first season before needing surgery to repair a labrum tear in his right shoulder.

For D-backs fans who were concerned the top prospect wouldn't return to his old form, take a breath. He's doing just fine.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder continued his torment of opposing pitchers with a 3-for-4 performance that included a solo shot in the first inning to right-center field, kicking off the scoring for the Rawhide. Coupled with a pair of singles, one in the third and another in the fourth, Lawlar brought in two more runs to go along with the home run.

Since going 1-for-4 on the season's first day, the slugger hasn't seen his average drop lower than .290. He's currently ranked first in the California League in average -- batting .352 -- and OPS (1.049), third in hits (43), fourth in steals (18), tied for seventh in homers (seven), all while adding 20 RBIs as the icing on the cake.

After the adversity Lawlar faced in his first season, immediate success in his return wasn't completely expected. Now, the former Gatorade Texas High School Player of the Year is back and aiming to make his way in the professional realm while climbing the ladder to the Majors.

Saturday's showing extended Lawlar's season-best hitting streak to 10 games and put his slash line for the streak at .455/.489/.750 with two homers and 10 RBIs.