Arizona Diamondbacks 2017 Grades: Assessing the infielders

By Joseph Jacquez

Oct 17, 2017

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 04: Jake Lamb #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with teammate Paul Goldschmidt #44 after beating the Colorado Rockies 11-8 in the National League Wild Card game at Chase Field on October 4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Jake Lamb #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a single during the bottom of the first inning of the National League Wild Card game against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on October 4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Jake Lamb

To say Lamb had a career year would be an understatement.

The 27-year-old third baseman set career highs with 133 hits, 30 home runs, 105 RBI, 87 walks and 89 runs scored. Lamb finished his fourth season in Arizona with a .248 average and a .347 on-base percentage.

Lamb made his first NL All-Star team and became the eighth D-back (14th time) to reach 100-plus RBI in a season. Goldschmidt and Lamb became the second set of teammates to reach the feat in the same year.

Lamb was one of three third baseman to have 85-plus walks and 85-plus runs scored.

But, Lamb still has his flaws. He improved at third base but still committed 14 errors. In addition, Lamb continued two trends. He struggled in the second half and against lefties.

In order for Lamb to develop into an elite major league player, he will have to fix those flaws.

JAKE LAMB. B+. . 3B. Arizona Diamondbacks