SCOTTSDALE — Ryan Waldschmidt had to re-center himself after a 5-for-30 start in Double-A Amarillo last season.
Once grounded, he raked, hitting .371 in August and .362 in September to earn the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Minor League Player of the Year award.
“I was trying to do too much, I was trying to prove that I belonged and I think that’s a big lesson I learned when it comes into this, as well,” Waldschmidt said on Monday. “You’re on a big stage, but don’t make it bigger than it is. It’s still baseball. They’ve still got to throw it in the zone. They might have some better stuff but it still has to go over the plate.”
Waldschmidt is now Arizona’s consensus top prospect by evaluators and is participating in his first big-league camp, facing veteran pitchers while having the opportunity to make an impression on the major-league coaching staff.
RELATED STORIES
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly ruled out for Opening Day vs. Dodgers
5 Diamondbacks hitters who could use a really big spring training
Waldschmidt was clear that he did not enter camp with the mindset that he has to make the team, more so that he would do what he can to win games and that would show his value.
The 23-year-old has yet to play in Triple-A and only has one great minor-league season under his belt. Even if unlikely, the possibility has not been ruled out publicly, and a big spring could create some momentum for that decision.
“I think it’s all about being myself and working on things that will improve me in the future,” Waldschmidt said. “If I can work on doing things that it takes to win, I think it will all accumulate at the end of the season and whatever happens, happens. I’m a big believer in controlling the controllables and me making the team is not anything in my control, so I’m going to go out there, play aggressive, play relaxed and see what happens at the end of spring training.”
The Diamondbacks have options in the outfield but with some moving pieces. That includes whether Corbin Carroll (hamate) will be ready by Opening Day or shortly thereafter.
Top Diamondbacks prospect Ryan Waldschmidt hit his first home run of the spring today against the Guardians.
Here's his approach to his first major league camp: pic.twitter.com/qXoti0mZeP
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 23, 2026
Torey Lovullo has been complimentary of the conversations he’s had with Waldschmidt, someone who can meet with the manager comfortably and talk baseball.
“I want to continue to get to know him and see what makes him tick,” Lovullo told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta last week.
Waldschmidt started 0-for-2 on Monday before roping a home run and drawing a walk, and he started 0-for-2 again on Wednesday before making a diving catch in left field and lacing a 106 mph single into center field. He’s 3-for-13 with five strikeouts but has hit the ball rather hard.
It’s still very early, and Waldschmidt will continue to get opportunities to show what he can do.
“You can really make it a big deal if you get caught up with who you are facing and the guys on the field,” Waldschmidt said. “It’s super cool to be playing with Ketel (Marte) and (Geraldo) Perdomo, and being out there on the field you can make it a big thing. But I think when you simplify it down to the game of baseball and you’re playing a nameless, faceless opponent, it makes it easy to be yourself and go back to doing what you do best.”
And what is that?
Waldschmidt said his strike-zone awareness plays into everything he does at the plate. His success comes from working counts, seeing a lot of pitches and finding ways to get on base, and power is a byproduct of pitch selection and timing.
Waldschmidt tore his ACL in the summer of 2023, and he would stand in the batter’s box during live batting practice sessions and see pitch and pitch after pitch to sharpen his eye.
Last year, he walked at a 16% clip and struck out 17.6% of the time. MLB averages are 8.4% and 22.2%, respectively, as Waldschmidt reached base with a .419 percentage. He added 18 home runs and 29 stolen bases in a season for which he shot up in prospect rankings.
“I think it you can simplify those things, if you can be on time and you can swing a good pitches, I think you can see yourself seeing a lot more results,” Waldschmidt said. “I think just keeping that mindset of being selective but also aggressive, looking for the pitches and sticking to my plan and trying to execute.”
With several regulars heading to the World Baseball Classic, Waldschmidt may become one of the more recognizable names in the Diamondbacks’ lineup on a given day over the next couple of weeks.
"He is coming. He's emerging … he's got a lot going for him."
Torey Lovullo told @Bickley_Marotta that Diamondbacks top outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt is a "very talented player" and he's going to determine his own timeline. pic.twitter.com/Nb5XZQt2Ic
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 19, 2026
Follow @alexjweiner
Hence then, the article about diamondbacks ryan waldschmidt shares lesson from double a helping in 1st big league camp was published today ( ) and is available on Arizona sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Diamondbacks’ Ryan Waldschmidt shares lesson from Double-A helping in 1st big-league camp )
Also on site :