The Diamondbacks’ outfield is in flux ahead of the 2026 season, with two projected 2025 contributors—Jake McCarthy and Blaze Alexander—traded away and Corbin Carroll expected to be ready for Opening Day after a hamate bone injury. In this evolving scenario, Alek Thomas is taking reps in both left and center field, signaling a clearer but still flexible path for his role.
Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports Thomas is focusing on left and center field, with little work in right field due to the assumption that Carroll will miss little to no regular-season time. By moving Jordan Lawlar to center field, Arizona shifts Thomas off his natural position, creating a platoon-friendly setup in the outfield.
Thomas’ 2026 outlook remains tethered to his bat and glove. Career stats show a .234/.277/.362 line with a 74 wRC+ and a recent defensive trajectory that has trended down, despite earlier Gold Glove finalist attention. The Diamondbacks elected to keep him on a $1.9625 million salary for 2026, positioning him as a potential fourth outfielder who can cover both left and center on the strong side of the platoon.
Beyond Thomas, the outfield competition features Lawlar in center, with Carroll expected to miss limited time. Waldschmidt, the top prospect, could challenge for left-field duties with a strong camp, while 40-man staples Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa are in the mix, and non-roster invites such as Kristian Robinson, A.J. Vukovich, and Oscar Mercado could factor in.
As Arizona navigates a potentially messy opening lineup, the 2026 outlook envisions a markedly different outfield by season’s end. If Lawlar cements himself in center and Carroll returns quickly, Thomas may continue as a ready-made stopgap and mentor for top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt, with opportunities to reclaim a regular role only through standout performance.
