PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired outfielder Kyle Lewis on Thursday, betting that the 27-year-old can regain the form that helped him become the American League’s Rookie of the Year in 2020.
The D-backs sent catcher/outfielder Cooper Hummel to the Seattle Mariners.
“We felt like he’s just a good fit for us,” Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said. “Taking a shot at some upside here with the power potential. He’s gotten on base when healthy. We feel like this is a good opportunity to acquire some potential impact.”
Lewis was an emerging star during the shortened 2020 season, batting .262 with 11 homers and 28 RBI. He hasn’t come close to that level of production since, partly because of a right knee injury, hitting just .143 and three homers last season while spending a big chunk of the year in the minors.
Hazen envisions Lewis as a corner outfielder because the D-backs are stocked with center fielders like Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy and Corbin Carroll.