What happened to Jake Lamb?

Jake Lamb is a professional baseball player who has experienced both successes and setbacks throughout his career. The third baseman has played for several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and, most recently, the Los Angeles Angels.

Lamb’s career has been marked by impressive seasons, injuries, struggles and a recent resurgence. In this blog post, we take a closer look at Lamb’s journey, including his early career, his experiences in the major leagues, and what led him to sign a minor league contract with the Angels in 2022.

We’ll also explore the potential for a comeback season and what the future holds for this talented player.

Lamb’s early career

Lamb’s academic career at the University of Washington

Jake Lamb was born on October 9, 1990 in Seattle, Washington. He attended Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle before playing college baseball at the University of Washington.

During his time in Washington, Lamb played in 169 games and posted a .323 batting average with 23 home runs and 103 RBIs. He was also named to the All-Pac-12 team in 2012.

Will be drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks

Following his college career, Lamb was drafted in the sixth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent the next few years in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system, working his way up the ranks.

Lamb’s debut with the Diamondbacks

Lamb made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks on August 7, 2014 against the Kansas City Royals. He went 0 for 4 in his debut, but quickly made an impact in subsequent matches.

In just his third game, Lamb hit his first major league home run off pitcher Johnny Cueto. He finished the 2014 season with a .230 batting average, 4 home runs and 11 RBIs in 37 games.

Lamb’s major league career

2016 Small Group Season

Lamb’s breakout season came in 2016, his second full season in the major leagues. That year, he hit .249 with 29 home runs, 91 RBIs and an OPS of .844. He was named to the National League All-Star team and finished eighth in NL MVP voting.

Injuries and struggles in 2017 and 2018

After his outstanding season, Lamb suffered from injuries and struggled to repeat his success in subsequent years. In 2017, he missed significant time with a shoulder injury, hitting just .248 with 6 home runs and 45 RBIs in 107 games.

The following year, due to a shoulder injury and quadriceps strain, he played in only 56 games, hitting .222 with 6 home runs and 31 RBIs.

Transferred to Oakland Athletics in 2020

During the 2020 season, Lamb was traded to the Oakland Athletics in August. He played in 13 games for the Athletics, hitting .267 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs.

Limited playing time and issues with athleticism

Lamb re-signed with the Athletics for the 2021 season, but he struggled to find playing time and did not play when given the opportunity.

In 31 games with the Athletics in 2021, Lamb hit just .212 with 1 home run and 5 RBIs. He was designated for assignment in early May and became a free agent.

Lamb’s 2021 season

Signed with the Atlanta Braves

After Lamb was designated for assignment by the Athletics in May 2021, he signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. He was called up to the major league roster in early June and appeared in 31 games for the Braves.

Struggles with the Braves and call-up for assignment

Lamb struggled at the plate during his time with the Braves, hitting just .116 with 1 home run and 5 RBIs in 52 at-bats. He was designated for assignment by the Braves in late July and became a free agent.

Requested waiver from Chicago Cubs

Shortly after Lamb was designated for assignment by the Braves, he was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. He quickly found success with his new team.

Good performance with the Cubs

Lamb appeared in 43 games for the Cubs during the second half of the 2021 season, hitting .233 with 9 home runs and 25 RBIs in 128 at-bats. He also showed versatility playing both first and third base.

His strong performance with the Cubs earned him a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2022.

The future of lamb

Signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels

In December 2022, Jake Lamb signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. The contract includes an invitation to spring training, where Lamb will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the major league roster.

Potential for a comeback season

After battling injuries and inconsistency over the past few years, Lamb has shown signs of a resurgence with the Cubs during the second half of the 2021 season. If he can carry that success into 2023, Lamb has the potential for a comeback season and becomes a valuable asset for the Angels.

Uncertainty over his role with the Angels

While Lamb has the potential to compete for a roster spot with the Angels, his role with the team is uncertain. The Angels already have several established infielders on their roster, including Anthony Rendon, David Fletcher and Jose Iglesias.

Lamb may have to compete for playing time as a backup or platoon player, depending on how the Angels structure their roster.

Overall, Lamb’s future with the Angels is uncertain, but his past success and recent resurgence suggest he has the potential to be a valuable contributor if given the opportunity.

Jake Lamb Major League Career

Season	Team	Games Played	Batting Average	Home Runs	RBI
2014	Arizona Diamondbacks	37	.230	4	11
2015	Arizona Diamondbacks	107	.248	6	45
2016	Arizona Diamondbacks	151	.249	29	91
2017	Arizona Diamondbacks	107	.248	6	45
2018	Arizona Diamondbacks	56	.222	6	31
2020	Oakland Athletics	13	.267	1	4
2021	Atlanta Braves	31	.116	1	5
2021	Cubs Chicago	43	.233	9	25

This chart gives a quick overview of the teams Jake Lamb has played for and his performance each season, including games played, batting average, home runs, and RBIs.

FAQ

How did Jake Lamb get into baseball?

Jake Lamb played college baseball at the University of Washington, where he had an impressive career and was eventually drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012.

What positions can Jake Lamb play?

Jake Lamb is primarily a third baseman, but has also played first base during his major league career.

Has Jake Lamb won any awards throughout his career?

Yes, Jake Lamb was named to the National League All-Star team in 2016 and finished eighth in NL MVP voting that year.

What teams has Jake Lamb played for?

Jake Lamb played for several major league teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels.

What is Jake Lamb’s batting style?

Jake Lamb is a left-handed hitter.

What is the status of Jake Lamb’s contract with the Los Angeles Angels?

Jake Lamb signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2022 that includes an invitation to spring training. If he performs well, he could earn a spot on the major league roster.

Diploma

Jake Lamb’s career has been marked by both successes and setbacks. After a stellar college career at the University of Washington, Lamb was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks and made his major league debut in 2014.

He made his breakthrough in 2016, but struggled with injuries and inconsistency in the years that followed. In 2021, Lamb signed with the Atlanta Braves, but had issues at the plate and was designated for assignment. However, he bounced back later in the season with a strong performance for the Chicago Cubs.

Lamb’s future with the Los Angeles Angels is uncertain, but he has the potential to make a return and become a valuable contributor if given the opportunity.

While there is uncertainty over his role with the team given the Angels’ current on-field situation, Lamb’s versatility and recent success suggest he could play a valuable role as a backup or platoon player.

Regardless of how his future with the Angels plays out, Lamb’s journey is a reminder of the ups and downs professional athletes can face and the resilience it takes to overcome adversity.