Jake Lamb: What to Make of the Sophomore Third Baseman?
By Bill Pivetz
The Arizona Diamondbacks looked to have had a young star in third baseman Jake Lamb. However, the season did play out the way anyone wanted it to. What do you make of him in 2016?
The Arizona Diamondbacks are home to a superstar first baseman and breakout outfielder. Those two paired up with the rest of the lineup led the team to some great offensive numbers. There was one player that began the season strong, but disappointed halfway through before coming back in the final months. That player would be third baseman Jake Lamb. How do you rank him heading into 2016?
More from FanSided
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
- Chargers loosen grip on checkbook to pay Justin Herbert: Best memes and tweets
Lamb began the 2015 season undrafted in most ESPN fantasy leagues. Then, the first game happened. He had a three-run double. In the second game, he went one-for-four with a three-run home run. He had nine RBI by April 17. Then, he missed 42 games with a stress reaction in his left foot. He finished the season with six home runs, 34 RBI and a .263/.331/.386 line after 107 games.
Jake Lamb had a stint with the Diamondbacks in 2014 when he played in 37 games and hit four home runs, 11 RBI and .230. No one was expecting the kind of performance he had in 2015, despite the shortened season. He was one of the hottest waiver wire pickups within the first month. I wrote about him last April, but it unfortunately didn’t pan out.
Even in the small sample size, Lamb had a good season. He had a 9.2 walk and 24.9 strikeout rate, finishing 68th and 40th among hitters with at least 350 plate appearances. His ground ball rate dropped from 52.2 in 2014 to 44.9 percent last year. His hard hit rate also rose 3.7 percent to 35.9.
Next: Padres Sign Alexei Ramirez: Fantasy Fallout
With the 2016 season just a couple of months away, fantasy experts and owners are making their own position rankings. The foot injury looks to be behind him, so there should be no concerns for it coming back. The only downside was we don’t have enough to go off of. The 107 games in 2015, especially the latter half, wasn’t enough to give us a good picture of who Jake Lamb is.
However, the fact that he’ll be hitting behind A.J. Pollock, Paul Goldschmidt and David Peralta will give him some nice opportunities in 2016. Let’s just hope he can stay healthy this year.
Projections: 101 hits, 10 home runs, 60 RBI, .260 average
Draft: Round 22