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These three young D-backs could be in for breakout years in '27

The Arizona Diamondbacks have three young prospects poised to take on expanded roles in 2027, with their 2026 performances already hinting at future impact. Outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt, acquired as part of the trade that brought Corbin Carroll to Arizona, made a strong early impression in the majors after a standout spring training.

Called up in May, Waldschmidt slashed .353/.411/.471 in his first three weeks, showcasing elite defensive skills in center field and a knack for clutch hitting, including two walk-off homers that helped keep the Diamondbacks in the Wild Card race. Though he faced adjustments from pitchers and was briefly optioned back to Triple-A, his late-season resurgence—marked by improved plate discipline and a deeper understanding of MLB pitching—suggests he’s ready for a larger offensive contribution next year.

Farm director Chris Slivka highlighted his defensive progress and noted that refining his strikeout tendencies will be key to his continued development, with Waldschmidt likely to feature prominently in Arizona’s outfield in 2027, whether in center or left field.

Infielder José Fernández also caught the team’s attention with a breakout debut in 2026, becoming just the eighth player in MLB history to hit two homers—including a game-winning shot off Kenley Jansen—in his first major-league game. The 23-year-old, who had never played above Double-A before his call-up in late March, went 3-for-4 with two long balls in his MLB premiere, signaling his potential as a future impact bat.

While his season was cut short by a mid-March option to Triple-A, Fernández’s immediate success upon his return to the majors underscores his offensive upside and sets the stage for a bigger role in 2027.

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