The Royals should bring back former top pitching prospect John Lamb on a minor-league deal after the Tampa Bay Rays released the 26-year-old lefty on Friday afternoon.
Marc Topkins of the Tampa Bay Times Tweeted news of Lamb’s release on Friday:
More #Rays moves: RHP Steve Geltz was DFA’d, LHP John Lamb released
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) November 18, 2016
The Red then dealt Lamb to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash on Nov. 2, 2016, but he never appeared in a game with Tampa Bay.
However, Lamb also compiled encouraging strikeout (8.7 K/9) and walk (3.8 BB/9) rates in major league baseball. His main problem was his outrageous 1.7 HR/9. Of course, Lamb made 14 of his 24 starts in Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark, which is one of the most homer-friendly parks in baseball.
Lamb wouldn’t have that problem in Kansas City.
Not only that, Lamb dominated for AAA Omaha in 2015 posting a 2.67 ERA with an outstanding 9.2 K/9. The KC Royals just might know how to wring a similar performance from him since he spent seven seasons in the Kansas City system. No one knows him better than the KC front office.
However, Lamb has undergone two back surgeries in the last 11 months. At this point, he might be damaged goods. What could make such a pick-up make sense is that Lamb would demand no more than a minor league deal. In short, he’s cheap and still could have upside that the familiar coaching might tease out of him.
Lamb is exactly the kind of starting pitching depth that the Kansas City Royals could stash at AAA for an emergency. Who knows, the Royals just might be able to capture a little bit of the promise that made Baseball Prospectus rate Lamb the 11th best prospect in MLB before the 2011 season.
Who knows? Maybe the KC Royals could move Lamb to the bullpen and discover yet another dominant back-end arm. There’s really little to lose and Lamb’s the kind of lottery ticket Kansas City can afford given their tight payroll. At least they know he’d fit in the organization.
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