Jake Lamb joins D-Backs player development team

Former All-Star third baseman Jake Lam has accepted a player development role with the Diamondbacks, reports Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. That will likely mark the end of the 35-year-old’s playing career, during which he racked up more than eight years of MLB service.

Lamb’s transition into his post-playing days is a fitting fit for his original organization. He was selected in the sixth round by the D-Backs out of the University of Washington in 2012. Lamb reached the big league two seasons later and emerged as the team’s everyday third baseman for a few years. He hit .263 with six home runs in 107 games during his first full season before breaking out as a surprise power threat.

Between 2016 and 2017, Lamb hit 59 home runs. He reached 30 doubles in both seasons and combined for 13 triples. The left-hitting infielder posted a .248/.345/.498 slash in more than 1,200 plate appearances. Lamb was worth about six to seven wins above replacement in that stretch, and he earned an All-Star selection in 2017. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 105 runs in his career season, one of 19 players to reach 30 home runs and 100 RBI that year. He helped the Snakes to a postseason berth, going 6-13 in four playoff games.

Unfortunately, Lamb injured his left shoulder while diving for a ground ball early in the ’18 season. He initially returned within five weeks, but ended up back on the injured list around the All-Star Break. Tests revealed a rotator cuff injury that required season-ending surgery. Lamb returned in 2019 but was never able to return to his pre-injury form.

The strength that had been his calling card did not return. He hit .193 with six home runs in 78 games. His average had dropped to .116 during the shortened 2020 season as the D-Backs moved on. Lamb bounced around as a journeyman corner bat for the next few seasons. Between 2020 and 2023, he played with the Athletics, White Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mariners and Angels. None of those stints lasted more than 43 games, and Chicago is the only other team he got more than 100 at-bats for.

Lamb remained a productive Triple-A hitter throughout the 2023 season. However, his minor league numbers declined over the past two seasons, and Triple-A stints with the Pirates and Giants did not result in another MLB opportunity. Lamb ends his playing career with a .235/.326/.427 slash line over 2,650 plate appearances. He hit 96 home runs and scored 342 RBI. He was part of two playoff teams, as he also made four postseason appearances with the A’s in 2020. Congratulations to Lamb on a solid career and all the best in his post-playing days.