Jake Lamb
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1990)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Jake Lamb
|image = Lambprofilephoto in stlouis.jpg
|image_size =
|caption = Lamb with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017
|team = Free agent
|number =
|position = Infielder
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1990|10|9}}
|birth_place = Seattle, Washington, U.S.
|bats = Left
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = August 7
|debutyear = 2014
|debutteam = Arizona Diamondbacks
|statyear = 2023 season
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label = Batting average
|stat1value = .235
|stat2label = Home runs
|stat2value = 96
|stat3label = Runs batted in
|stat3value = 342
|teams =
- Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2020}})
- Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2020}})
- Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2021}})
- Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2021}})
- Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2022}})
- Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2022}})
- Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2023}})
|awards =
}}
Jacob Ryan Lamb (born October 9, 1990) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014, and was an All-Star in 2017. He has also played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Angels.
Early life
Lamb grew up in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. He attended Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle and starred for their baseball team.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/high-school/baseball/story/_/id/4159489/opposites-attract-slugging-pair/ |title=Bishop Blanchet (Seattle) sluggers Jake Lamb and Josh Sale may not have a ton in common off the field, but when it comes to baseball they're on the same page.|publisher=ESPN |date=June 16, 2009 |access-date=August 8, 2014}}
After graduating high school, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Lamb in the 38th round of the 2009 MLB Draft, but he followed through with his commitment to attend the University of Washington.{{cite web|last=Wilmoth |first=Charlie |url=https://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/1/7/10727896/looking-back-at-the-pirates-2009-draft |title=Looking back at the Pirates' 2009 draft |publisher=Bucs Dugout |date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2018}}
College career
Lamb played college baseball for the Washington Huskies baseball team. With the Huskies, Lamb was named an All-Pac-12 Conference player.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/teammates-again-michael-conforto-and-jake-lamb-go-from-chaffey-to-nl-all-stars/ |title=Teammates again: Michael Conforto and Jake Lamb go from Seattle-area amateurs to NL All-Stars |date=July 10, 2017 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2018}} After his sophomore season in 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=142847&seasonid=532 |title=#42 Jacob Lamb |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}
Professional career
=Arizona Diamondbacks (2012–2020)=
==Minor leagues==
File:Lamb at the bat 2017 in stlouis.jpg
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Lamb in the sixth round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He made his professional debut in 2012 for the Missoula Osprey of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.{{Cite web|url=https://missoulian.com/sports/osprey/ex-husky-standout-among-11-added-to-osprey-roster/article_458d1b06-b659-11e1-8909-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Ex-Husky standout among 11 added to Osprey roster|website=missoulian.com|date=June 14, 2012 }} Lamb played for the Visalia Rawhide of the High–A California League in 2013, but appeared in only 64 games due to a hamstring injury. The Diamondbacks assigned Lamb to the Arizona Fall League after the 2013 season.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/ari/d-backs-prospect-jake-lamb-enjoying-arizona-fall-league-opportunity?ymd=20131112&content_id=63867446&vkey=news_ari |title=D-backs prospect Jake Lamb enjoying Arizona Fall League opportunity | dbacks.com: News |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=June 30, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2014}} They invited him to spring training in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks-spring-training-set-to-start-early-this-year?ymd=20140109&content_id=66453962&vkey=news_mlb |title=Arizona Diamondbacks' Spring Training set to start early this year |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=January 9, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2014}} He began the 2014 season with the Mobile Bay Bears of the Double–A Southern League, and was promoted to the Reno Aces of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.{{cite web|first=Nick |last=Piecoro |date=August 7, 2014 |url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/07/arizona-diamondbacks-promoting-jake-lamb/13738591/ |title=Diamondbacks promoting prospect Jake Lamb |work=The Arizona Republic |access-date=August 8, 2014}}
==Major leagues==
After the Diamondbacks traded Martín Prado on July 31, they promoted Lamb to the major leagues on August 7.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/08/jake-lambs-call-majors-came-week-later-expected/13762007/ |title=Youth movement continues with Jake Lamb call up |work=The Arizona Republic |access-date=March 2, 2018}} In 37 games that season, Lamb had a .230 batting average with four home runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/jake-lamb-emerging-major-leaguer-from-seattle-comes-home/ |title=Jake Lamb, emerging major-leaguer from Seattle, comes home |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 26, 2015 |access-date=March 2, 2018}} He began the 2015 season on the disabled list but was later taken out and played in 107 games, hitting .263 with six home runs and 34 runs batted in (RBIs). During the 2016 season, he hit .291 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs in the first half,{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Kevin |date=June 8, 2017 |title=D-backs' Jake Lamb more prepared to avoid slump after another hot start |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/1140615/d-backs-jake-lamb-prepared-avoid-slump-another-start/?show=comments |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=Arizona Sports |language=en}} and was a finalist for the last All Star spot in the All-Star Final Vote.{{cite web|last=Gilbert |first=Steve |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/d-backs-jake-lamb-4th-in-all-star-final-vote/c-188781982 |title=D-backs' Jake Lamb 4th in All-Star Final Vote |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2018}} After struggling in the second half, in which he hit .197 (46-for-234), Lamb finished the season with a .249 average, 29 home runs, 91 RBIs, and nine triples.{{Cite web |last=Database |first=OSDB-Online Sports |title=OSDB - Jake Lamb - Los Angeles Angels |url=https://www.osdbsports.com/mlb/players/jake-lamb/35a3e757-618f-4f85-a80f-9f717bec806d |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=OSDB - Online Sports Database}}
Lamb was selected to play in the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/07/11/diamondbacks-all-star-game-paul-goldschmidt-zack-greinke/466760001/ |title=Resurgent Diamondbacks well-represented at All-Star Game |work=USA Today |access-date=March 2, 2018}} He finished the season hitting .248 with 30 home runs, 105 RBIs and 87 walks, although he managed more consistent splits (.246 in the first half and .250 in the second half). On August 2, 2018, he was ruled out for the season as he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-diamondbacks-jake-lamb-injury-update-out-for-season-with-shoulder-injury/e8h36nmjyr1014nflsnl13blg|title=Diamondbacks All-Star Jake Lamb out for season with shoulder injury|website=sportingnews.com}} In 56 games, he hit .222 with six home runs and 31 RBIs.
On April 5, 2019, Lamb went on the injured list with a Grade 2 strain to his left quadriceps muscle.{{cite web|last=Gilbert |first=Steve |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jake-lamb-placed-on-injured-list |title=Jake Lamb placed on injured list |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=April 5, 2019 |access-date=September 14, 2020}} He returned to the Diamondbacks in late June.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2019/06/25/arizona-diamondbacks-jake-lamb-return-injury-mlb/1566407001/ |title=Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Lamb's return raises questions |work=The Arizona Republic |access-date=September 14, 2020}} He batted .193 for the 2019 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2020/03/05/arizona-diamondbacks-jake-lamb-ready-comeback-season/4965004002/ |title=Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb confident he'll bounce back in 2020 |work=The Arizona Republic |date=February 23, 2020 |access-date=September 14, 2020}}
Lamb and the Diamondbacks agreed to a $5.5 million salary for the 2020 season. On September 10, 2020, the Diamondbacks designated Lamb for assignment.{{cite web|first=Connor |last=Byrne |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/diamondbacks-designate-jake-lamb.html |title=Diamondbacks Designate Jake Lamb |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=September 14, 2020}} At the time of his designation, he had hit .116/.240/.210 with no home runs over 50 plate appearances in 2020. Lamb was released on September 12.
=Oakland Athletics (2020)=
On September 14, 2020, Lamb signed a major league contract with the Oakland Athletics and was added to their active roster.{{cite web|first=Anthony |last=Franco |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/athletics-to-sign-jake-lamb.html |title=Athletics Sign Jake Lamb |date=September 14, 2020 |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |access-date=September 14, 2020}} In 13 games for Oakland as Matt Chapman's replacement after he underwent surgery, Lamb slashed .267/.327/.556 with three home runs and nine RBIs and 45 at-bats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jake-lamb-571875|title=Jake Lamb Stats, Fantasy & News|publisher=Major League Baseball}}
=Atlanta Braves (2021)=
On February 21, 2021, Lamb agreed to a major league contract with the Atlanta Braves for $1 million.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Braves announce deal with Jake Lamb |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/jake-lamb-deal-with-braves |access-date=February 25, 2021 |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=February 23, 2021}} On March 27, 2021, the Braves released Lamb due to his underwhelming performance during spring training.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/braves-select-pablo-sandoval-designate-phil-ervin-for-assignment.html|title=Braves Select Pablo Sandoval, Release Jake Lamb, Re-Sign Jason Kipnis|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=March 29, 2021 }}
=Chicago White Sox (2021)=
On March 30, 2021, Lamb agreed to a contract with the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/white-sox-to-sign-jake-lamb.html|title=White Sox Sign Jake Lamb|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=March 30, 2021 }} He appeared in 43 games, batting .212/.321/.389 with 6 home runs and 13 RBIs, before he was designated for assignment on September 1, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/roster/transactions|title=Chicago White Sox Transactions |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=September 1, 2021}}
=Toronto Blue Jays (2021)=
On September 3, 2021, Lamb was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/jake-lamb-waivers-toronto-blue-jays-1.1689480|title=Blue Jays claim former All-Star Lamb off waivers|date=September 3, 2021|website=TSN}} Lamb was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays following Breyvic Valera's return from the COVID-19 related injured list.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-jake-lamb-dfad-thursday/|title = Blue Jays' Jake Lamb: DFA'd Thursday| date=September 23, 2021 }} Lamb was released by Toronto on September 29.
=Los Angeles Dodgers (2022)=
On March 14, 2022, Lamb signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/dodgers-sign-jake-lamb-mike-wright-to-minor-league-deals.html|title=Dodgers Sign Jake Lamb, Mike Wright To Minor League Deals|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=March 15, 2022 }} He was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he hit .290 in 61 games with 15 home runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lamb--002jac|title=Jake Lamb Amateur, College, Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=June 28, 2022}} On June 28, he was called up to the majors.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/06/dodgers-to-select-jake-lamb.html|title=Dodgers To Select Jake Lamb|first=Anthony|last=Franco|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=June 28, 2022|accessdate=June 28, 2022}} He played in 25 games for the Dodgers, hitting .239 with two home runs and four RBIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2022.shtml|title=2022 Los Angeles Dodgers Statistics|work=Baseball References|accessdate=August 2, 2022}}
=Seattle Mariners (2022)=
On August 2, 2022, Lamb was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-acquire-jake-lamb-matthew-boyd-curt-casali|first=Daniel|last=Kramer|title=Mariners make 'under-the-radar' moves at Deadline|publisher=Major League Baseball}} On September 21, Lamb was designated for assignment and became a free agent on September 24.
=Los Angeles Angels (2023)=
On December 21, 2022, Lamb signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization. On March 29, 2023, Lamb had his contract selected, making the Angels' Opening Day roster. He played in 18 games for the Angels, batting .216/.259/.353 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. On June 30, Lamb was designated for assignment following the promotion of Victor Mederos.{{Cite web|title=Angels' Jake Lamb: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-jake-lamb-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=June 30, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=June 30, 2023 |language=en}} He was released by the Angels the following day.{{cite news |title=Angels place INF Brandon Drury on IL with shoulder contusion |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37949801/angels-place-inf-brandon-drury-il-shoulder-contusion |access-date=July 3, 2023 |agency=Reuters |work=ESPN.com |date=July 2, 2023}}
=New York Yankees (2023)=
On July 14, 2023, Lamb signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.{{Cite web|title=Yankees' Jake Lamb: Gets MiLB deal from Pinstripes|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-jake-lamb-gets-milb-deal-from-pinstripes/|access-date=July 14, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 14, 2023 |language=en}} In 51 games for the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he hit .269/.396/.427 with 6 home runs and 26 RBI. Lamb elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=December 21, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}
=Pittsburgh Pirates (2024)=
On December 21, 2023, Lamb signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/pirates-sign-jake-lamb.html | title=Pirates Sign Jake Lamb to Minor League Deal | date=December 21, 2023 }} In 55 games for the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians, he batted .289/.380/.416 with four home runs and 31 RBI. Lamb opted out of his contract and became a free agent on June 18, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/jake-lamb-exercises-opt-out/ | title=Jake Lamb: Exercises opt-out | date=June 18, 2024 }} The Pirates re–signed Lamb to another minor league contract on June 28.{{Cite web|title=Pirates, Jake Lamb Agree To New Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/pirates-re-sign-jake-lamb-minors.html|access-date=June 28, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 28, 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Marcell Ozuna drives in 3, Charlie Morton holds former team to 3 hits as Braves beat Pirates 6-1 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401569704 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=June 28, 2024}} He elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}
=San Francisco Giants (2025)=
On January 27, 2025, Lamb signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=January 27, 2025 |title=Giants, Jake Lamb Agree To Minor League Contract |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/giants-jake-lamb-agree-to-minor-league-contract.html |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en}} In 45 appearances for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, he batted .240/.352/.353 with two home runs and 20 RBI. Lamb was released by the Giants organization on June 2.https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-06-02
Personal life
Lamb's father, John, played college football for Whitworth University, and his mother, Deonne, was a tennis player in high school and college. Lamb's older brother, Dan, played two sports in high school. His younger brother, Dylan, plays college baseball for the Washington Huskies.{{cite web|url=http://gohuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9382|title=Washington Huskies|website=Washington Huskies|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2019}} His sister, Megan, played softball after surviving leukemia.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/jake-lambs-athletic-roots-firmly-connected-to-parents-siblings-in-seattle-060617 |title=Jake Lamb's athletic roots firmly connected to parents, siblings in Seattle |work=Fox Sports |date=June 6, 2017 |access-date=March 2, 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=571875|espn=32742|br=l/lambja01|fangraphs=13329|brm=lamb--002jac|retro=L/Plambj001}}
- [http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208063562 Jake Lamb – Washington Huskies]
- {{Twitter}}
- {{Instagram|jakelamb24|Jake Lamb}}
{{Southern League MVP}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lamb, Jake}}
Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players
Category:Arizona League Diamondbacks players
Category:Baseball players from Seattle
Category:Bishop Blanchet High School alumni
Category:Chicago White Sox players
Category:Indianapolis Indians players
Category:Los Angeles Angels players
Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players
Category:Major League Baseball first basemen
Category:Major League Baseball third basemen
Category:Missoula Osprey players
Category:Mobile BayBears players
Category:National League All-Stars
Category:Oakland Athletics players
Category:Oklahoma City Dodgers players
Category:Sacramento River Cats players
Category:Salt Lake Bees players
Category:Salt River Rafters players
Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players
Category:Seattle Mariners players
Category:Toronto Blue Jays players
Category:Visalia Rawhide players