Welcome To The Majors Jake Lamb!

Aug 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb hits an RBI single during the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a roster move today that many thought was a long time coming. Looking to their future, the Diamondbacks selected the contact of 3B Jake Lamb from Triple A Reno. In a corresponding move, the Dbacks optioned Andy Marte back to Reno. The move was announced by Diamondbacks Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

After the Dbacks traded Martin Prado to the Yankees for catching prospect Peter O’Brien, it was only a matter of time before Lamb would make his major league debut. The only thing that was in doubt was when.

There was a chance that the Dbacks would wait till September, and allow Jordan Pacheco to get most of the time at third. The Dbacks probably figured why not call him up now, get him some more exposure, and see what he can do. Since the Dbacks are out of the race, this is an audition for 2015.

Lamb has advanced quickly through the Dbacks farm system. This year, he played in 103 games with the Mobile Bay Bears, and he absolutely tore up the Double A Level. In 374 at bats, he hit .318 with 14 HR and 79 RBI’s.

He is also a plus plus defender. Baseball America recently did a survey of Southern League Managers asking who has the best defensive tools at each position, and Lamb was voted the best defensive third basemen.

This is what Baseball America had to say about Lamb at the plate:

"“He’s no slouch at the plate, either. Lamb has strength but also a smooth swing—which Arizona ironed out—to hit for average. Across three years in the minors, Lamb has a .321/.406/.553 slash line.His raw power began to emerge in 2013 and is showing this season with 59 extra-base hits across two levels.One evaluator was effusive about Lamb, calling him, “a strong, strong guy. Power is nothing new for him. He’s got the swing to hit for average, with not a lot of flaws to his game.”Prior to Prado’s trade, general manager Kevin Towers said, “we think we’ll see him here at some point next year.”"

He is here now, and he has a chance to be something special. He is an all around hitter, and a very smart defender. He made major league debut tonight in the Snakes 6-2 loss to the Royals. The first two balls of the game were hit right to him, and he made two really nice plays, showing off his great range at the hot corner. In the bottom of the third, Lamb collected his first hit and RBI with a single in the third to pull the Dbacks to within two.

He had a great major league debut, and we look forward to more great things from Lamb the rest of this season, and next season.