RailRider reports that Jake Lamb, a left-handed hitter, has recently signed a minor-league contract. with the New York Yankees on Friday. After performing well in the Los Angeles Angels’ farm system with a slash line of .317/.453/.492 in 150 plate appearances, Lamb will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Although he is not currently on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, he may be called up to the major leagues if he continues to excel in Triple-A.
Who is Jake Lamb?
Prior to joining the Yankees, Lamb’s tenure with the Los Angeles Angels came to an end. On June 30, the Angels designated him for assignment, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster for Victor Mederos. The team also welcomed back Anthony Rendon from the 10-day injured list, while Andrew Velazquez and Andrew Wantz were optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Lamb’s journey with the Angels began with an offseason minor league deal. Unfortunately, he struggled to find his form during his limited appearances, posting a lackluster batting line of .216/.259/.353 across 54 plate appearances. As a player with over five years of Major League Baseball (MLB) service, Lamb would typically have had the right to refuse a minor league assignment. However, his contract included a provision that allowed the Angels to send him down within a 45-day window.
Following his demotion, Lamb spent the next month and a half in Triple-A, where he showcased his hitting prowess. He excelled at the plate, batting an impressive .317 with an on-base percentage of .453 and a slugging percentage of .492. Lamb displayed power with five home runs and exhibited excellent plate discipline, drawing walks in 17.3% of his 150 plate appearances. Despite mounting injuries in the Angels’ infield, the team made the decision not to give Lamb another opportunity at the major league level. As a result, they ultimately removed him from the roster, signaling the likely end of his time with the organization.
Now, with his new opportunity in the Yankees’ minor league system, Lamb will aim to continue his strong performance and catch the attention of the organization. If he maintains his current pace and proves himself in Triple-A, Lamb could potentially earn a call-up to the Yankees’ major league roster, giving him another chance to make an impact at the highest level of professional baseball.
