ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs 3B Jake Lamb comes in 88th on ESPN’s #MLBRank

Jun 27, 2017, 6:48 AM

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb throws to first to get out San Diego Padres' Manuel Ma...

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb throws to first to get out San Diego Padres' Manuel Margot on a ground ball during the first inning of a baseball game in San Diego, Sunday, May 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

(AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

The first half of 2016 put Jake Lamb on the map.

Now he’s trying to establish himself as another young MLB star.

His 2017 season is off to a good start as well and he was slashing .280/.379/.546 heading into the Monday game against the Philadelphia Phillies. All would easily be career bests for the 26-year-old, who is garnering more and more attention this year batting behind Paul Goldschmidt in the order during the latter’s MVP-worthy season.

ESPN’s panel of 65 baseball writers, reporters and insiders have taken notice of Lamb’s steady rise.

Lamb ranks 88th in the group’s #MLBRank project, which on Monday released the names of players 81 through 100.

ESPN Stats & Info’s Zach Mariner threw out this eye-popping stat that appropriately shows Lamb’s impact at his age.

In a game dominated by young superstars, Jake Lamb is underrated. In 2016, his 29 home runs were tied with Mike Trout for the seventh-most among players age 25 or younger.

Despite his hot start to 2016, Lamb wasn’t ranked in last year’s #MLBRank.

Nearly halfway through the season, Lamb is on pace to set career highs in home runs — he has 19 already — RBI, hits and runs scored.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

2 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

3 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

5 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

8 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

12 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

13 hours ago

D-backs 3B Jake Lamb comes in 88th on ESPN’s #MLBRank