Jake Lamb, 3B, Diamondbacks
What’s up: Most baseball fans knows about Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona’s perennial all-star slugging first baseman. Less known is Lamb, who entered the weekend with 57 RBIs, most in the majors. The left-handed hitting third baseman is an integral part of a dynamic offense that has the Diamondbacks challenging the Rockies and Dodgers in the National League West. Arizona entered the weekend riding a fourgame winning streak and perched just one game behind the Rockies. The Diamondbacks come to Coors for three games beginning Monday, then the Rockies head to Phoenix on June 30 for a three-game set.
Background: Lamb, 26, was a sixthround draft choice out of Washington in 2012 and he’s now emerging as a star. He broke out last season, banging 29 homers, driving in 91 runs and posting an .840 OPS. He’s setting a torrid pace this season, entering the weekend with 16 homers, 13 doubles and three triples. “He’s just driving in big runs,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told the Arizona Republic last week. “I just hope the league takes notice of that. I hope the league sees that, recognizes that and gives him a chance to be an all-star. He’s deserving of that.”
Saunders’ take: I love to play off Lamb’s name on Twitter. “Lamb chops a base hit to left. … Lamb shanked that ball down the right-field line. … High flyball to center, that’s a sacrificial Lamb. … Rockies’ closer Greg Holland silences Lamb.” You get the idea about my rather weak sense of humor. But in all seriousness, Lamb has emerged as a key to the Diamondbacks’ pennant chances. Moreover, he joins Colorado’s Nolan Arenado as a premier third baseman in the NL West. He’s not nearly Arenado’ equal as a fielder, but he has become an offensive force that the Rockies will have to find a way to control.