The Pirates Prospects 2014 Prospect Guide is now on sale. The book features prospect reports on everyone in the system, the 2014 top 50 prospects, and the most comprehensive coverage of the Pirates’ farm system that you can find. While the top 50 prospects are exclusive to the book, we will be releasing the top 20 prospects over the next few weeks. Be sure to purchase your copy of the book on the products page of the site.
To recap the countdown so far:
20. Michael De La Cruz, OF
19. JaCoby Jones, OF
18. Barrett Barnes, OF
17. Cody Dickson, LHP
16. Blake Taylor, LHP
15. Joely Rodriguez, LHP
We continue the countdown with the number 14 prospect, Andrew Lambo.
14. Andrew Lambo, OF
Lambo was once one of the top 50 prospects in the game, but stalled out at the Double-A level with the Dodgers. The Pirates eventually bought low on him, hoping that he would rediscover that former prospect status. Instead he continued to stall in Double-A for a few more years, including missing most of 2012 with hamate surgery. His value dropped so low that he went undrafted in the 2012 Rule 5 draft.
Heading into the 2013 season, Lambo looked different. He was hitting well throughout Spring Training, looking the best he had ever looked with the Pirates. That carried over in a big way to the regular season. He ended up combining for 32 home runs between Altoona and Indianapolis, before arriving in the majors for some brief playing time at the end of the year.
Despite his fallen prospect status, Lambo is still fairly young. His home runs in 2013 can’t be ignored, and should get him a shot in the majors at some point in 2014. The Pirates look to be going with Travis Snider and Jose Tabata in right field to start the season. Lambo could start in Triple-A as a depth option, but might get a shot at right field or first base if an injury occurs. He has primarily been an outfielder, but has been playing first base in Winter ball. Long-term he doesn’t have a spot with the Pirates in the outfield, but if his power carries over to the majors he could be an option at first base.
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