MLB has revealed their Top 100 list of prospects for the 2024 season. Three Diamondbacks prospects have made the list, with Jordan Lawlar (No. 11), Tommy Troy (No. 74), and Druw Jones (No. 78) representing Arizona. It comes as no surprise, as they are the organization's previous three first round selections in the First Year Player Draft held during All-Star weekend.
Lawlar, 21, is the D-backs' consensus top prospect, and should get an opportunity to compete for a roster spot this spring. He has the potential to be a five-tool shortstop who can make a big impact at the plate, on the bases, and in the field. However his spot on the roster is not a lock after struggling to a .129/.206/.129 slash line in his first 34 major league plate appearances. The young shortstop prospect has a strong track record of hitting in the minor leagues, so it's only a matter of time before he gets another opportunity during the season.
Lawlar also placed on Baseball America's Top 100 list, giving him the two necessary to satisfy the first condition for a prospect to be eligible for the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI). The other is that Lawlar would have to accrue a full year of service time during the 2024 season, meaning he'd have to be on the roster by April 10th and spend the rest of the season in MLB. With 25 days of service already to his name entering the season, he would only need to spend a total of three weeks on the active roster to exhaust his rookie eligibility. Mike Hazen has been on record stating that the PPI pick does factor into roster decisions, so the D-backs top prospect will have to earn his opportunities.
Troy, 22, was selected by Arizona 12th overall in last year's draft, due to a combination of a well-rounded tool set and strong makeup. While his long term position is questionable due to the presence of Lawlar, there's a good chance he could stick long term at either second or third base depending on where the roster dictates he should play. He currently ranks third on the Top 30 prospects list, but could take over the top spot with a strong year. Troy is primed for a potential 2025 arrival time, especially if he has an excellent first full year in the system.
Jones, 20, saw what was supposed to be a highly anticipated pro debut turn into disaster with a pair of right leg injuries, limiting him to 31 games with Class A Visalia. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft has a very lofty ceiling as a Gold Glove caliber center fielder with wiry strength on a 6'3" 180-lb. body. The lost year had a huge negative impact on his prospect stock, as he was considered a Top 15 prospect a year ago, but a good 2024 could yield the opposite effect. Jones' swing is still a work in progress and it will be years before we see him make an impact on the roster, but the potential for a player who can make a significant impact on both sides of the ball is worth gambling on for this organization.
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