Former Angels Infielder’s Unexpected Move to NL West: Jake Lamb’s Million-Dollar Leap
Former Los Angeles Angels infielder, Jake Lamb, known for his versatility on the field, has made a surprising move by signing a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants. This unexpected acquisition, reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, comes with an intriguing twist—a $1 million base salary if Lamb secures a spot on the MLB roster after an invitation to big league spring training.
A Look Back at Lamb’s Recent Performances
In 2024, Lamb spent the season in Triple-A with the Pittsburgh Pirates, showcasing his skills with a .264/.350/.393 batting line over 414 plate appearances, including seven home runs. However, this performance marked a slight decline from his impressive 2023 season, where he boasted a .289/.420/.454 slash line in 85 Triple-A games split between the Yankees and the Angels.
During his brief stint with the Angels in 2023, Lamb appeared in 19 games, hinting at his potential impact on the field given the opportunity.
Lamb’s Journey Through MLB
Jake Lamb’s baseball journey has been a dynamic one, with notable highlights during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His standout performance in 2017 earned him an All-Star selection and witnessed a remarkable 59 home runs across the 2016-17 seasons. However, Lamb’s playing time has been fluctuating, with no season recording over 250 plate appearances since then.
Drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 2012 MLB Draft, Lamb made his Major League debut in 2014. His left-handed hitting style has seen him play for seven different teams, maintaining a .205/.306/.359 slash line in close to 900 plate appearances since 2018.
In a significant move in September 2020, the Diamondbacks designated Lamb for assignment, leading him to finish the season with the Oakland Athletics. During his brief stint with the Athletics, Lamb exhibited his prowess by hitting three home runs, driving in nine RBIs, and maintaining a strong slash line of .267/.327/.556 in just 13 games.
Recent Years and Future Prospects
Joining the Dodgers in 2022, Lamb’s performance in 25 games included five doubles, one triple, two home runs, and four RBIs. Despite his contributions, Lamb signed a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024 after appearing in 114 MLB games over the previous three seasons with multiple teams but missing the majors the year before.
Approaching his age-34 season, Lamb has transitioned away from third base, focusing more on first base or designated hitter roles, occasionally venturing into right field. While his recent offensive output may not guarantee a regular starting position, a strong showing in spring training or an impressive performance with Triple-A Sacramento could potentially secure Lamb a rotational spot on the Giants’ roster.
