In just four at-bats, Arizona Diamondbacks rookie third baseman Jake Lamb has set the club record for most runs batted in through the first two games of the season with seven.
In spring training, most of the focus was on Yasmany Tomas, a powerful infielder signed from Cuba for a whopping $68.5 million this offseason. It seemed like a given that Tomas would immediately start in the Majors but his inability to play a serviceable hot corner and propensity for striking out earned him a trip to the minors despite his hefty price tag.
That move opened the door for Lamb who killed it in spring training, batting .364 with a pair of homers, two triples, and six doubles. He’s also a much more solid defender and ultimately should have been the go-to guy at third in the first place with Tomas likely more suited to play outfield.
Lamb may not be a high-priced Cuban import but the top-80 prospect’s minor league credentials stack up with the best of them.
Lamb needed just 244 games in the minors to make it to the Bigs and impressed as he rose through the farm system, putting up a career .321/.406/.553 line.
Not only does he have 20+ home run power, Lamb hit 39 doubles and five triples in just 108 games last season while adding 53 walks.
Like his infield mate Paul Goldschmidt, Lamb isn’t just a power hitter. He’s able to draw walks with the best of them and has the ability to add 35+ doubles to impressive home run totals. His propensity for walks should also ensure that Lamb remains in the lineup even during inevitable rookie slumps.
While fantasy owners typically love a top-100 prospect ready to come up to the Bigs, Lamb was overlooked this spring in fantasy as in real life. He was expected to finish behind Tomas on the depth chart and was benched in favor of Aaron Hill in the team’s season opener.
With seven RBI in just four at-bats, it’s no longer possible to overlook the 24-year-old.
With Tomas likely out of the third base picture and Aaron Hill a shell of his former self, the full-time third base job is Lamb’s for the taking. Despite his young age, his maturity at the plate should help the 6-foot-3 power hitter reach 18+ home runs and 30+ doubles in his first season in Chase Field, while drawing plenty of walks, assuming he can stay healthy and avoid any prolonged slumps.
He’s still available in more than 80 percent of Yahoo leagues but that number is quickly dropping. Grab Lamb before he’s gone because he’s not going to find himself back on the waiver wire anytime soon.
