The Diamondbacks plan to have Waldschmidt begin the 2026 season as the starting center fielder at Triple-A Reno, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.
Waldschmidt came up through the system as a corner outfielder -- the result of a knee injury during his junior at the University of Kentucky that pushed him to left field. After his promotion to Double-A Amarillo last year, the organization re-introduced Waldschmidt to center field and were impressed by the results. If the experiment of using former top prospect Jordan Lawlar in center field at the MLB level doesn't pan out, Waldschmidt will be another option to play the position.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Falls short of Opening Day roster
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks reassigned Waldschmidt to minor-league camp Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Heading into spring training, Waldschmidt looked to have a legitimate shot at earning a spot on the Opening Day roster after Arizona didn't make any major additions to its outfield over the winter to compensate for Lourdes Gurriel's (knee) extended absence to begin the season. Even with Corbin Carroll (hand) going down with a fractured hamate early in camp to put his availability for Opening Day in jeopardy, Waldschmidt never gained much momentum in his bid for a roster spot despite posting a .796 OPS through nine Cactus League games. Though he could continue to get regular run in Arizona's spring lineups while Carroll is rehabbing and while Alek Thomas is playing for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, Waldschmidt looks like he'll need to continue to mash at Double-A Amarillo or Triple-A Reno to begin the regular season before receiving his first big-league call-up.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Receives invite
Rotowire
Waldschmidt received an invite to major-league training camp, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
The Diamondbacks revealed their 2026 spring training roster Friday, and it included Waldschmidt, the club's top prospect. With Lourdes Gurriel (knee) expected to miss the first three months of the season, Waldschmidt should get significant playing time in left field this spring. Earlier in the offseason, Arizona general manager Mike Hazen suggested one of the team's prospects could break camp on the active roster, and many believed the GM was referring to Waldschmidt. The 23-year-old outfielder played all three outfield spots in the minors last year and could get work in center field, too, while Alek Thomas represents Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Waldschmidt, who is not currently on the 40-man roster, reached Double-A Amarillo in 2025 and posted a .921 OPS over 66 games.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Could break camp with D-backs
Rotowire
Waldschmidt could break camp in a starting outfield role for the Diamondbacks in 2026, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen talked with reporters Saturday after the team traded outfielder Jake McCarthy to the Rockies, and he did not rule out the possibility of a prospect breaking camp with a starting role in the big leagues. Although Hazen didn't name names, he was likely referring to Waldschmidt, the club's top prospect. With Lourdes Gurriel (knee) also potentially missing the first half of the season, there could be plenty of at-bats available in the outfield. The 23-year-old Waldschmidt, who played all three outfield positions during stints at High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo in 2025, would need to be added to the 40-man roster, and he has yet to play at Triple-A.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Ryan Waldschmidt: Bound for Double-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks are expected to promote Waldschmidt from High-A Hillsboro to Double-A Amarillo this week, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
The No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Waldschmidt didn't play after Aug. 25 last season due to a hamstring injury, but he's staged a healthy return to action to begin 2025 while making the jump from Single-A Visalia to Hillsboro. The 22-year-old outfielder will now be on the move to the Texas League after raking over his 68 games at High-A, slashing .268/.415/.447 with a 17.8 percent walk rate, nine home runs and 10 steals in 301 plate appearances.
