As we get closer to the season, MLB Pipeline continues to release its prospect lists going into 2026. The next position they’ve released their Top 10 prospects at is at third base. Coming in at No. 6 is the Diamondbacks‘ LuJames Groover III.
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Groover, 23, came to the Diamondbacks with their second round pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. The right-handed hitter started out moving around the infield in his first year in the organization, but has since settled at third.
The Diamondbacks acquired Nolan Arenado to shore up their third base defense. Groover is currently blocked by the future Hall of Famer, as Arenado is under contract for two more seasons.
However, he’s only one more strong season in Triple-A away from banging on a major league opportunity. He projects to arrive in the big leagues near the end of the 2026 season and take over at third base once Arenado’s time in Arizona is over.
LuJames Groover’s 2026 Outlook
Since joining the organization, Groover’s done nothing but hit. In the Diamondbacks system, he owns a career .297/.384/.440 slash. In both 2024 and 2025, he’s produced a 14% strikeout rate and an 11% walk rate.
In 2025, Groover put together that breakthrough season. He led the Southern League with a .309 average, and his 120 wRC+ was solid. He represented the organization, along with outfielder Druw Jones, at the Futures Game in Atlanta.
One area of concern offensively has been the lack of power in the bat. He hit 10 home runs in 61 games in 2024, but the power numbers didn’t improve much in 2025. He hit 23 doubles and only 12 home runs.
Since he’ll play most of 2026 with Triple-A Reno, we should have public exit velocity and launch angle data. The next important development in his bat is to produce more extra-base hits and home runs. Especially when considering that both corner infield spots are typically positions where teams want that power production from.
More power production out of the bat makes for an easier projection
Groover is unlikely to overtake Arenado in 2026, but that could be a different story in 2027. An injury to the latter during the season is more likely to result in Blaze Alexander or Jordan Lawlar getting starts at third.
Diamondbacks Long-Term Third Base Outlook
Arenado will be the primary starter at third base in 2026. After that, the picture becomes murkier. The future Hall of Famer will be 36 next season. Beyond him, both Alexander and Lawlar could be options in a pinch. However, the timeline is looking more favorable to Groover.
Other 40-man options at third base for Arizona include mostly utility infielders. Jose Fernandez originally developed at the position before moving to shortstop in 2025. Tim Tawa has also played the position before in the minor leagues. Ildemaro Vargas is a non-roster option should he make the roster.
Digging deeper into the Diamondbacks system as a whole, Groover is the only serious prospect at third base. Yassel Soler showed some progress at the plate in Low-A Visalia, but still carries a boom/bust profile.
Other potential options at third base might be Jansel Luis, who profiles more as a utility infielder. Luis played third during the Arizona Fall League and might stay there, depending on how they set up the infield at Double-A Amarillo. Ben McLaughlin played some third base, but is better suited to be a platoon bat at first base.
Diamondbacks Prospect Ranked Among MLB’s Best 3B Prospects