The Arizona Diamondbacks carry many questions about their outfield this spring. Ryan Waldschmidt, Arizona’s top-ranked prospect, was invited to camp and has a path to seizing the left field job. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo went on Bickley & Marotta of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM on February 19 to address the young outfielder’s chances of making the Opening Day roster.
“He’s coming, he’s emerging,” said Lovullo.
Lovullo mentioned Waldschmidt and how deeply conversational the young outfielder gets as a reason for being tardy. The Diamondbacks manager met with his organization’s consensus top prospect at 7:30 A.M. that morning before going on the air. It left quite the impression on Lovullo.
“Once again, coming into my office as a young guy, look at me squarely in the eyes. I’m not going to stop that. I want to continue to get to know him and see what makes him tick, and he was very comfortable.”
Torey Lovullo on Ryan Waldschmidt’s Chances of Making the Diamondbacks Roster
Most prospect pundits have Waldschmidt arriving in the major leagues early in 2026. Opening Day is a possibility, given the dearth of capable outfielders on the 40-man roster. The Diamondbacks dealt Jake McCarthy for pitching prospect Josh Grosz, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will start the season on the injured list.
“He’s going to determine what that timeline is,” said Lovullo. “[He’s] a very talented player. Controls the zone offensively, runs the bases well, plays defense really well. He’s got a lot going for him.”
Lovullo got a good look at his organization’s top prospect last spring. Waldschmidt was among the players who traveled to Las Vegas last March to play the Athletics. The young outfielder clubbed a home run in the first game on March 8. He almost hit a second one in as many days, if not for getting robbed by Denzel Clarke, one of the top defensive outfielders in baseball.
Waldschmidt could get every opportunity to break camp with the club. His advanced approach at the plate and an airtight strike zone already made him a candidate to be fast-tracked to the major leagues.
In 2025, the outfielder played in 134 games between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. He produced a .273/.419/.473 slash with 18 home runs, 29 stolen bases, and a 16.0% walk rate.
He was remarkably consistent at both levels according to FanGraphs’ wRC+ metric. Waldschmidt posted a 141 and 143 wRC+, meaning he provided more than 40% more offense than the league-average player would have in similar opportunities.
Torey Lovullo on Corbin Carroll’s Injury
Another situation to monitor for Waldschmidt potentially breaking camp is Carroll’s Opening Day status. The superstar outfielder fractured the hamate bone in his right hand and underwent surgery to remove it. That typically carries a recovery period of six to eight weeks, putting his status in doubt.
Lovullo did not give any updates on the potential timetable for when Carroll will be back in the lineup.
“He is on his march, and this is what we know about Corbin. We love him, we love the fact that he’s able to go out and get the job done, no matter what is in front of him. He never wastes a day.”
Lovullo mentioned that Carroll was throwing plyo balls the day after surgery to get the rest of his body in shape.
“I want to say it’s close to Opening Day. Does it happen before? We’re not sure at this point, he’s got a little bit of recovering to do.”
If Carroll has to spend time on the injured list, which has a minimal stint of 10 days, it further opens the door for Waldschmidt to make the Opening Day roster.
Diamondbacks’ Outfield Picture Shifts as Top Prospect Pushes for Roster Spot