March 27th, 2022 at 10:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It seems to happen every year, almost without exception – a player who, for the most part, wasn’t on anyone’s radar prior to Spring Training camp suddenly has tremendous success during Spring Training camp; nobody’s except for Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman‘s, that is: the guy who has a proven track record of finding under-the-radar diamonds in the rough.
For Spring Training 2022, that diamond appears to be 31-year-old/eight-year MLB veteran infielder/outfielder Jake Lamb, who Freidman signed to a minor league deal back on March 14, 2022, with an invitation to major league camp.
Although the sample size is small, through the Dodgers (thus far) seven Spring Training games, the Seattle, WA native and sixth-round draft pick in 2012 by the Arizona Diamonds out of the University of Washington in Seattle, is 8-for-14 (.444), with two doubles, two home runs, and two RBI.
Lamb spent the bulk of his career in the NL West, having been the (almost) everyday third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks for seven seasons. He also spent time with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, who designated him for assignment following the 2021 season. After clearing waivers, Lamb became a free agent and popped up on Friedman’s radar.
Although currently a non-rostered minor leaguer, Lamb has appeared in each of the Dodgers seven major league Spring Training games thus far, during which (as noted) he has done exceptionally well. In fact, his two Spring Training home runs are tied for the team lead with Dodgers catcher Will Smith, infielders Eddy Alvarez and Andy Burns, and outfielder Jason Martin.
Although we won’t know for another week or so if Lamb will break camp on the Dodgers 28-man or even 40-man rosters, knowing Friedman’s radar history, I wouldn’t bet against him.
Play Ball!
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First obstacle to keep Lamb, how to make room on the 40-man roster. Placing pitcher Danny Duffy on 60-day IL seems the most obvious transaction for the short term. Then, how do you find playing time for him on the active roster? As good as Lamb has been I would argue that Edwin Rios has looked even better (with marginally better slash line) and they both play the same positions (although Lamb appears to play a passable RF when called upon). Unfortunately, neither Lamb or Rios can play CF in place of Bellinger. Will be interesting to see what Friedman does with the roster before opening day.