Counting down the minutes

John Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA - My son John Lamb will start today for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, against the Corpus Christi Hooks, Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, at 7:05PM CT from Whataburger Field in Texas. This marks the third start of the 2011 season for my son in the Texas League. Some of those close to John, like the household, are counting down the minutes for the first pitch.

Today I will take a break from my Development Baseball instruction and scouting responsibility with the Florida Marlins to be a nervous Dad of a professional baseball prospect. Nervous only in the sense that my son is better than the early season statistics expose with the Naturals. The number of walks and hits allowed during his first two starts have some concerned with his overall health, but John insists he feels great and ready to take the ball every 5 days to try and help his team win.

Last outing had a lopsided number of walks for the 3.2 innings of work and an untypical low percentage of strikes thrown during the game. Baseball is a continuous effort of adjustments to succeed and much more evident through the professional levels. John Lamb (0-0, 4.05) is fully aware of the necessity to make adjustments during games and between starts. While his first two appearances have been less than dominating, we are eager to see what today will bring for this young professional baseball player.

Our recent subscription to MiLB was initiated over the televised game schedule and the fact that John Lamb will be on the mound for the Naturals (7-4) against the Hooks (3-8) in the coastal town of Corpus Christi, TX. Seeing him play has always been a challenge during his career and getting the opportunity to watch the game today has merely added to this Dad’s excitement for this Texas League game. Now we simply stare at the clock and continue to count down the minutes leading up to the broadcast.

Just another professional baseball start

John Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA - The Lamb family and friends that have a connection to John Lamb and his professional baseball career typically know when the lefty gets the ball. This is really just another professional baseball start for John while he continues to develop but the only difference is the fact that today he will have the pitch count which gives him the opportunity to pitch into the fifth inning.



The radio broadcast during his first game, last Friday, addressed the slight strain John suffered during Spring training. The strain obviously set him back a few days and limited the number of pitches for this early portion of the season. John managed to throw only 3 innings during his first outing of the year of which ended up being the first win for the Naturals in the opening series of the Double-A season. A relatively uneventful start for the 20 year-old left-handed pitcher for his 2011 season but today could bring another type of jaunt in professional baseball.



Today the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (5-1), Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, will have their first game on the road versus the San Antonio Missions, Texas League affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Game time is set for 8:05 pm ET in San Antonio, TX. With less than an hour before first pitch this dad of a professional baseball prospect will simply pace around the house in a queasy anticipation for the results.



Despite the nervous moments leading up to my son’s pitching performances we plan to turn on the radio broadcast and listen to every pitch during the sashay. John Lamb has not missed a professional baseball start since the 2009 season assignment at the Rookie level with the Burlington Royals in the Appalachian League. John will embark on his 44th start in professional baseball with his fellow teammates on the Naturals roster. Just another start for the young baseball prospect trying to live out his childhood dreams while his dad’s stomach is doing somersaults.

Time to start the 2011 baseball season

John Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA - The Lamb family has been patiently waiting for the next professional baseball season for sometime now. My direct attachment started as has many others by simply being a fan of the game when I was very young. My adherence has grown over the years as a player, coach, scout and now a Dad of a professional baseball prospect. The affection to the game of baseball comes from within and is merely exemplified thru the personal experiences our family has been blessed with. Today our family will get the opportunity to assume the position since it is time to start the 2011 season for John Lamb and his fellow teammates on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

Opening Night for the Naturals ended with the defending Texas League Champions taking their first lost of the season. The game had ceremonies to celebrate the 2010 Championship for the returning players and fans of the Springdale, AR affiliate of the Royals. The game ended as a pitching duel between the Naturals and visiting San Antonio Missions, Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The Naturals fell short by a final of 3-2 with Christopher Dwyer talking his first loss as the opening day starter.

Following the Naturals Opening Day game we received a rather unusual call from John Lamb about baseball, cars, apartment and general stuff. Not uncommon in content but duration only. It’s not every time we get more than just a few minutes based on time zones and work schedules. Professional baseball has some strange work hours, both on and off the field, for all involved in the game. Late night calls during the season are common place within the Lamb household with my continued scouting position with the Florida Marlins and coaching with the Orange County Giants. Last night’s call was satisfying while discussing baseball with my son and I’m happy to hear that he feels good and he’s ready for his first start of another season in professional baseball. He has a tremendous awareness about his abilities and typically stays within his strengths to get outs for his team.



Last night was what has been a normal occurrence for many years the night before my son’s games as a pitcher. Not the case during his amateur days of playing baseball as a position player also. Surely due in part by the frequency of games John Lamb played during his youth because he really does love the game. I firmly hold on to the hope that I’m no different than any other dad that suffers from a little anxiety when their kids play. The fact I continue to experience some additional insomnia the night before his professional baseball starts simply confirms my personal passion for the game.



My anxiety over my son’s career will continue until the day he stops playing or I stop breathing. Playing in Major League Baseball is not an easy task and staying in the big leagues is even tougher. Every game has an important role in the development of a professional baseball pitcher or position player based on the player’s preparation, work and ability to execute. Careers can end in an instant as history has shown, so there lies the basis for the added stress by this professional baseball prospect dad.



Today marks another special day for the Lamb family out on the West coast as my son takes the ball to start game 2 of the season’s first series against the San Antonio Missions in a Texas League game. The Naturals schedule indicates a 8:00PM E.T. first pitch from the beautiful Arvest Ballpark. Game can be heard on the web at ESPN 92.1 The Ticket for anyone unable to pass thru the ballpark gate. My wife Colleen, my mother Judith and a couple of Yorkshire Terriers will be listening with heartfelt attention. In reality I’m sure the dogs have no clue about the radio stuff or John playing baseball. That wasn’t the case when he was young and dressing up in his various baseball uniforms before leaving the house to play. The computer will be connected to external speakers to officially anoint the 2011 professional baseball season for John Lamb and his fellow farm-hands with the Royals organization. The Lamb’s are very close to notching up another professional baseball start by our dearest John Lamb living out his dream.

First flight of the season

John Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA - An earlier conversation with my son John Lamb confirmed he will be throwing for the Double A Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Saturday at Kauffman Stadium against the Triple A Omaha Storm Chasers during an exhibition game for the Kansas City Royals fans. John indicated, “I feel good and I’m looking forward to it, ” which is really a good example of a typical answer for most games during my son’s pro baseball career. Game is set to begin following the regularly scheduled Royals game 3 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season opening series. John and many other fellow teammates will be boarding their first flights of the season and for most I’m sure their first time playing in front of a Kansas City crowd that is anxious to win again and return a championship to the city.

There has been a large media buzz about the Royals prospects and their farm system throughout the baseball community. I have seen local, regional, national and even worldly reports about the players within the Royals development system and it brings me tremendous satisfaction over the acknowledgement. However, I’m confident most, if not all, of these talented young men realize the true value of these articles, lists and opinions soaring about the world of communication. I know of one for sure that will not be satisfied by the words of the media until he is in the show helping his team win another championship ring. Saturday’s minor league assignment and game in front of the watchful eyes of an eager crowd will be exciting for players, coaches, staff, families and fans alike.



Plans to break down my son’s performance through heavy evaluation and opinion are not for this media platform, but for those of you that may have never seen my son in person throw a ballgame I would like to make a few suggestions. He works at a smooth but fast pace, so hit the concessions and bathrooms early unless your fully satisfied with the left-center field view of pitching on the monitors throughout the stadium. John’s typical strike throwing performances seen in the past can quickly expedite an already quick pace of work for the 20 year-old from the South Orange County area of Laguna Hills, CA. John said he was up first for the Naturals but offered no indication to his restricted pitch count numbers this early in a full-season schedule. John is merely one of many other prospects within the Royals system on display Saturday.



Enduring any form of long travel right now is an ongoing challenge and will need to be delayed until a little later on during this second full-season of my son‘s career. Hope to catch a glimpse of the game and John pitching on the television but not holding my breathe of finding a feed. I plan to simply listen to the radio broadcast just like I did when I was a little boy sitting in my Grandmas’ kitchen and grin during the game. While John Lamb takes another first step in his professional baseball career playing in front of the Royals fans, I may have a slightly bigger grin than when I was 6.



The Lamb family extends well wishes to all professional baseball players, coaches, staff, families and friends during the grind of another season trying to live out a dream.

FREE youth baseball clinics

John Lamb

Limited space available for the FREE youth baseball clinics coming to the Orange County area!

Laguna Hills, CA - That's right John Lamb's Dad has finally returned to one of his great passions inside the game of baseball...teaching the fundamentals. Surely out of some necessity to have more purpose than just my part-time scouting position with the Florida Marlins. My recent work related injury and physical condition have come with tremendous limitations which are preventing my full-time return to "work" at this time. Certainly standing around watching and teaching the great game of baseball does not give me any concerns over the jeopardy involved with my disability. Due to the legal process allowing long delays in decisions I must move on with the need to financially survive and provide my genius in another field of expertise. Bye bye trucking industry and hello baseball with a full speed ahead attitude.

I have recently established a working relationship with Development Baseball to represent the South Orange County area. The organization is teaching sound fundamentals to young baseball players and has been operating since 2005. We have services available throughout multiple areas of the country. Instructors include players, coaches and scouts with many years of experience around the game of baseball.

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!

James Lamb, Lead Instructor:

Experience -
* 14+ years of playing amateur baseball
* 17+ years coaching and private instruction in Southern California
* 7+ years of influences from professional baseball
* 2007 Associate Scout for the Cincinnati Reds
* 2007 Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau - Scout Development Program graduate
* 2008 blessed with the experience that my son John Lamb received a 5th round selection and signed with the Kansas City Royals out of Laguna Hills High School
* 2009 Manager of the North team for the “Jesse Flores Memorial All-Star Game” sponsored by Professional Baseball Scouts of Southern California (PBSSC)
* Currently under 4th yearly contract as a Scout for the Florida Marlins

Clinic Details:

What: Basic hitting and pitching fundamentals
When: March 27 and April 3 only
Where: Location near the El Toro "Y" and will be provided following sign-up via web site
Time: 9am - 2pm
WARNING: One parent must attend the clinic with their son!
 
*SIGN-UP by text to the following # 949-697-2018


1) Parent name
2) Players name
3) Players age
4) League the player is associated with
5) A valid email address that must be verified to secure the spot in the FREE clinic

All questions or comments can be sent through our web site with James Lamb in the comments of the "contact us" section or send an email with the above noted information to secure a spot for your son.

Our web address is Development Baseball so secure your spot NOW!

Instruction begins with the most basic fundamentals and goes up to the most advanced, professional training available.

We wish you continued success both on the field and off!!!  

Time for ring

John Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA - The 2011 Spring training work for the Kansas City Royals took pause today to acknowledge their Double-A affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The Naturals captured the Texas League Championship last year by defeating the Midland Rockhounds, affiliate of the Oakland A’s organization, in the best of a five game series. Players and staff will celebrate during a ceremony at the Surprise complex this morning to collect their hardware for a successful professional baseball season. This special time for ring presentation should serve as proof to the Royals fan that winning ways are brewing though the farm system.

Photo credit - Dina Wathan Blevins

John Lamb continues his third Spring training assignment in the Cactus League, while having just recently been sent to the minor league portion of camp. Although we have had limited communication, I’m confident he is filled with excitement to collect another ring for his contributions on the baseball field. I share the joy from the West coast, during this celebration, as these young men take pause and continue to prepare for the next step in their professional baseball careers.



Unfortunately, my scouting schedule and ongoing health issues prevent me from being in the desert today to see my son and his fellow Naturals teammates receive their well deserved hardware. I’ll simply wait for the next ring ceremony with confidence that additional rings are in the future for the Kansas City Royals organization much sooner than most have predicted. Maybe it is parental optimism but only time will tell.

Good day of work

John Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA - Sorry but the need for a brief post is due in part to medication, exhaustion and bad timing by a virus attack on my computer. John Lamb took the ball for one inning of work on Wednesday as previously noted for his spring training debut in a big league game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His performance ended a long but good day of work for the Kansas City Royals as a non roster invitee for spring training in Surprise, AZ.

Plenty of big smiles in the house watching John throw in the fifth inning and face a total of four Dodgers. Three fell victim to the strike out and one banged a double down the third-base line with one out. Lamb did not allow a run during his single inning of work.

Can't emphasis enough how weird it was to see my son on TV in the living room and hear a radio broadcast in the car. I will eventually adjust to these simple evolutions to my son's career but hope never to take for granted. We are grateful on a daily basis for the opportunity the Kansas City Royals and the Glass family has provided John Lamb.

I hope to return soon for additional updates to the site with a fully functioning computer and not just this iPhone I'm using right now.

Dropping the ball

John Lamb

Laguna Hills, CA - This format to discuss the experiences associated with professional baseball started with modest expectations. Although there is only one contribution source on this site, at this time, I hope this year can provide at least one more author to facilitate fresh content about the topic. No excuse is good enough for the three, maybe four, visitors to this site for dropping the ball and maintaining the blog during the last few months. I am sincerely sorry.

John Lamb has been very busy during the past couple full-moon cycles with trips to Kansas City, MO for his Paul Splittorff - Pitcher of the Year Award from the Kansas City Royals, trips home to Orange County, CA and spending the majority of his time in Surprise, AZ close to the ballpark. Lamb had quite the year in professional baseball during last season during the early stages of his development and a tremendous surge in media coverage.



If you don’t know already, you may have just woke from a coma or recently suffered a blow to the head, but the Kansas City Royals have the best farm system in Major League Baseball according to the experts. My son and plenty of other parents within the extended Royals family are riding a wonderful wave of neighborhood attention. Many of these talented young men are knocking on the door to play in the show and try to return the Kansas City Royals fans back to winning ways.



Today, John Lamb is set to work in his first spring training assignment at the Camelback facility in Glendale, AZ, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Game time is 3:05 E.T. and can be watched or listened to through various media sources if interested. I plan to watch in the privacy of my own home so I can get fully engulfed with emotion without any consequence.



My handful of viewers on the site have my word to regularly provide content about professional baseball and the ride for the family of a Top 50 MLB Prospect for the 2011 season.

Lamb and Naturals nearly get no-hitter

John Lamb

Springfield, MO - Last night the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, John Lamb and Rowdy Hardy took a combined no-hit bid into the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and a 3-2 count on Andrew Brown. The pitch was deposited over the home run fence by Brown to spoil what would have been the first no-hitter in Naturals history. That record is safe for another game now.

John Lamb (1-1, 5.79, 9-7, 2.22) did exceptionally well last night over his six and one-third innings of work. Not uncommon for young pitchers to come out of the game whenever they reach their pitch count, no matter what is currently happening. Lamb handed the ball over the Rowdy Hardy without having allowed a single hit, striking out five and walking three during his 86 pitch performance. Hardy took the special evening into the 9th before his focus shifted into maintaining the 6-1 win.

Photo credit - Tony Piazza

Lamb picked up his first win since being called up to the Double-A level Naturals. His first four starts in the Texas League were far form the same type of result, but he insisted through phone calls home that he was making the necessary adjustments to improve his starts. That became very clear on Thursday night against the Springfield Cardinals, Texas League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Clint Robinson may have been overshadowed slightly by the no-hit bid, but surely shouldn't have based on his franchise record performance at the plate. Robinson provided nearly all the run support for the Naturals by driving in 5 runs off of his two home-runs and a triple. Robinson now holds the record for the Naturals single season mark of 27 homers with a few more games left to the regular season schedule.

The exhale from the Lamb family is the result of holding our breath during the past few starts in the Double-A level for my son. He's young but adamant that he knows he can compete at this level and last night he clearly proved to a few skeptics he belongs in the Texas League at this early stage of his professional baseball career. Thanks again to the Kansas City Royals for the continued support and opportunity they have provided my son, John Lamb.

Three days home from Arkansas trip to see Lamb

John Lamb

Orange, CO - With three days having gone by since our return home from seeing my son, John Lamb, in Springdale, AR it is time to add some content to the site. Our trip was somewhat spontaneous in the sense that we needed to work around my scouting responsibilities and John's anticipated starts to make the journey worth while.

Photo credit - Colleen Lamb

We simply hoped for the best to see John get his first Texas League win with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals game against the Frisco RoughRiders, Texas Rangers affiliate. Our two games worth of experiences at the beautiful Arvest Ballpark, were more than accommodating thanks to the Naturals staff and facility. We were very happy to arrive the day before his set start and spend a little time with John and his girl-friend, Paige.

Game went relatively well for four of the five innings of work, but not enough for the Naturals, Kansas City Royals affiliate, to secure the win. Issues not really worth mentioning, based on my professional baseball opinion, continue to impact his current statistics at the Double-A level of his young baseball career. I have complete confidence that John will make the necessary adjustments for improvement and look forward and not dwell on the past results and challenges during his third move in the season.

We were eager to hear tonight's game of the Naturals last road trip for the regular season based on the anticipated start of Lamb, but last night John fell victim to some food poisoning during the game at Arvest Ballpark. The team's doctor confirmed the diagnosis and Lamb was promptly removed from tonight's start on the road versus the Springfield Cardinals, Texas League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Photo credit - Colleen Lamb

John Lamb should still get another start in the Springfield series, but for now the West coast side of his family and friends will patiently have to wait for some confirmation of his next Texas League appearance.

Naturals loss sweep on short start by Lamb

John Lamb

Frisco, TX - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals plated six runs with the first seven players to start the game before recording the first out Friday night against the Frisco RoughRiders. A shocking way for John Lamb to take the ball wearing his shortened sleeves to start the game attempting to stay cool during the Texas evening heat. Lamb promptly walked the lead off hitter on four consecutive balls out of the zone. Yet another first of his career but I'm sure will not be the last of his career.




The text message earlier on Friday indicated John’s upbeat attitude about the game and honestly came at a shock to us out here on the West coast. More than likely it was the surprise he had received from the Naturals staff about the opportunity to wear shorter sleeves and expose his arms filled with tattoos at an attempt to stay cool.
 
 

 

 
 
 
The night for the Naturals continued to shock the 10,207 Frisco fans at Dr. Pepper Ballpark with the less than average performance during the third Double-A start for John Lamb. The Naturals could not collect another run throughout the game and Lamb was tagged with his shortest professional appearance of his young career. Lamb faced four batters in the 3rd inning without recording an out. Rowdy Hardy inherited 3 runners whom all scored tying the game at 6-6.




Lamb finished his shortest evening ever in professional baseball with 2 plus innings. He faced a total of 15 batters, threw 56 pitches, 29 strikes, 3 ground-ball outs, 2 fly outs, allowed 7 hits, 6 runs (6 earned runs), 3 walks and 1 strike-out before handing the ball to the Naturals bull-pen.



Rowdy Hardy did a great job for 5.0 innings after allowing the 3 inherited runs to cross in the 3rd. The recently returned Naturals pitcher, Barry Bowden, took the loss following the 8th inning earned run by the RoughRiders who went on to win 7-6. The Naturals did however win the series as they head out of town to Midland, TX to take on the Rockhounds, Texas League affiliate of the Oakland A’s, Saturday evening.

Photo credit - Keith Lovett

 
 
The following paragraphs are going to be extremely difficult to write because it will be filled with some gut instincts about the three Double-A appearances from my son.





The first batter he faced in this recent promotion to the Texas League he struck out, yet he hasn’t had more than a handful since. The first three innings, in that same debut, Lamb didn’t allow a run and than the wheel seemed to be reinvented. Why?




I have heard enough accounts of his performances from scouts and professional baseball minds to know something is wrong. The last time I checked a box score, the pitcher’s name is listed for the win, or loss, and there lies the basis for the active opinion with how to get outs for his team.




I am convinced that the recent results are not due to any changes in his mechanics, but rather the approach at attacking professional minor league hitters. Some guys can get outs by working off of a fast-ball, while others work backwards, as some might say. Both ways get outs and that is the ultimate goal for a pitcher. Right?





If you can’t tell I am losing my mind over the recent results of John Lamb, than you aren’t very perceptive. The sad thing is I know exactly what is happening and there is nothing I can do about the ongoing problem in the Texas League. All I can do is watch an unbelievable second professional minor league season turn to _ _ _ _ over changes in a pitching approach.





I believe with all my heart the Kansas City Royals management and John Lamb will determine the problems…I can only hope sooner, rather than later.

Clearly an unlikely Lamb start in AA home debut

John Lamb

Springdale, AR - John Lamb had an unlikely performance, in comparison to early starts this year, during his Northwest Arkansas Naturals home field debut at Arvest Ballpark Sunday night. It has never been easy to digest a broadcast, or game, that exposes the human side of sports. Defensive errors and balls put into play, as hits, can be a bad formula if a pitcher is not missing bats. Lamb has not experienced many of these types of games during his career, let alone back-to-back performances since his promotion to the Texas League, Class AA level. I can’t remember the last time Lamb pitched without a single strike-out.

Photo credit - Keith Lovett

Lamb finished his five innings of work with a 5-3 deficit and allowing 10 hits, 5 runs (2 earned runs), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 home-runs and lowers his Texas League ERA to 4.50. Ben Swaggerty and Henry Barrera followed Lamb with two scoreless innings each and Brandon Sisk took the loss during his two innings of relief to conclude the extra inning contest with the Arkansas Travelers.



Although the Naturals banged out a total of 11 hits during the extra inning game and pretty much negated my theory of concern following last night’s slug fest, the Royals Class AA level team struggled playing catch with the start of the game. Both runs that were allowed by Lamb in the first inning were unearned based on two errors. Not sure who committed the errors based on the fact that the box and article on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals site have conflicting accounts of the miscues.



Johnny Giavotella, Manuel Pina and Chris McConnell were the only multiple hit Naturals for the night. Giavotella provide some ninth inning heroics with a two run big fly that tied the game and sent the game into extra innings. Arkansas went on to win the game in the eleventh with a couple of extra base hits which plated one run. The Naturals were not up to the challenge of any more runs during the bottom half of the inning.



I realize that the game of baseball is not fair, at times. I also understand that pitchers are not going to dominant every time they touch the mound. Anyone that thinks otherwise has not watched enough baseball. However, I can say with complete confidence this will not be his last unlikely performance of his professional baseball career. The only time to start worrying is if, and when, a player can’t make the adjustments necessary to eliminate multiple and consecutive below average outings. It is clearly not time to start freaking out over the last couple of starts, at least not for this baseball prospect’s dad.

AA debut by Lamb...not great, but okay

John Lamb

Springfield, MO - The Texas League debut might not have been what Lamb had hoped for, but I know he is fully aware of the complexity of the game despite his young age. You’re not always going to miss bats, prevent runs or dominant the competition as a pitcher and my son realizes that, I’m sure.

Photo credit - Tony Piazza

John Lamb started the game tonight against the Springfield Cardinals, Texas League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, by striking out two of the four batters faced in the first inning. The uneventful second and third innings were followed by a two run fourth and another two run fifth before giving the ball to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals bull-pen. Both innings that produced runs for the Cardinals included errors, one was at the hand of John and the other was the inability to catch a fly ball.



The lack of Naturals offense, due in part to a sound starting performance by the 23 year-old Scott McGregor who spread out 3 hits over his 7 innings of work and allowed only 1 earned run in the second inning. The last inning against Cardinals pitcher, Jason Buursma was a good example of the Naturals evening at the plate. All three 9th inning outs were recorded on just four pitches while chasing a seven run deficit.



John Lamb spread out his 86 pitches by throwing 56 in the strike zone, allowed 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned runs), 1 walk, 4 strike outs and 1 home-run throughout his 5 innings of work. Christopher Chavez and Walter Swaggerty came in form the bull-pen but Chavez just couldn’t hold off the Cardinals bats as he gave up 4 more earned runs during his 2 and two-thirds innings in front of 8,484 Springfield home fans.
 
 
 
I would like to blame something else for the results of my son’s Texas League debut, but as a baseball man for many years I can’t. I wish I could blame the new low number on his back, the throw-back uniforms, not having a new profile picture on his bio page, sleeping too much last night or not being able to listen to the game from the house due to another baseball commitment that required my attention during his AA debut, but none of that mattered.




The game of baseball is failure base on many levels and those that make the adjustments to minimize failure will succeed. Tonight’s game was a learning experience for my son and I have utmost confidence that he will take something away from this start that will benefit his professional baseball career in the long run.
 
 
 
Today, after an early morning game I worked inside the dugout with a Connie Mack age team from Orange County with the kid we are hosting from Florida, John Valek, III, my wife jumped on the Internet. My wife found a couple of nice articles about John Lamb and last night’s game. We already know the results from his debut but it is always nice to see some positive comments about his performance.
 
 
 
One of the clips from an article by Kary Booher, that helped me smile, was quote from the Naturals manager Brian Poldberg about his new left-handed pitcher's outing in Springfield in front of this year’s largest crowd. Manager Poldberg said, “I’m anxious to see him five days from now. He showed some presence out there. He went after guys."




Now that John has been nudged off the Minor League Baseball ERA leader board by his Texas League debut and currently sits in the second spot, trailing by a mere 0.05, we are all eager to see him throw at his new home ballpark, just like his new Manager.


 
 
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals split tonight's double-header in Springfield by winning the first game and losing the second. Another good lefty from the Kansas City Royals farm system, Danny Duffy, is set to start tomorrows final game of the series against the Cardinals.

Lamb and Duffy move to Texas League

John Lamb

Wilmington, DE - It is official now, John Lamb and Danny Duffy are both heading West to the Texas League affiliate, Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Just as noted regarding the Lamb move a couple of days ago, John is currently in route to another Royals farm team. According to a press release on the Naturals website, John Lamb is now the youngest player to ever wear a Northwest Arkansas Naturals uniform.

Photo credit - Keith Lovett

Hope this official announcement on both the Carolina and Texas League transactions list puts an end to some of the bull that was spreading around about the AA jump for my son. Any doubt about the integrity of this family will continue to be challenged with complete honesty during his professional baseball journey. We have no reason to spread rumors, lies of deceptions about the wonderful opportunities that the Kansas City Royals have continued to provide John Lamb.




This move marks his fifth since his “Opening Day” start in the Appalachian League with the Rookie affiliate, Burlington Royals, for the 2009 season.



Not sure when John will be placed in the Naturals rotation, but a text message from him earlier today, indicated it will be in the Springfield Cardinals series on the road in Missouri. Lamb will have some familiar faces in the crowd when he arrives in Springfield, MO. Tony Piazza, a previous coach of John in the Southern California area, whom now lives in the immediate area of the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas League affiliate, is planning to check on his hearing from the stands. Also, with some luck members of Colleen’s family might make the trip down from the St. Louis area to say “hi” and be supportive of his recent move.

Lamb matches his shortest Carolina League start

John Lamb

Wilmington, DE - John Lamb might not have been at his best tonight, or missed many bats, during the opening game of the important series with the Potomac Nationals, but he managed to survive the abuse without much damage to his combined Minor League Baseball leading ERA. Lamb reached his pitch totals earlier than most of his previous starts and was removed from the game following the fourth inning of work.

Photo credit - Keith Lovett

The Wilmington Blue Rocks hitters were baffled throughout the game by a fantastic pitching performance from the Nationals starter, Daniel Rosenbaum, who spread out 5 hits over eight shut-out innings.



The Blue Rocks bull-pen was called to maintain the 2-0 deficit in the fifth, but failed to keep the game close by allowing another eight runs to cross before the nightmare was over.



Lamb finished the night with 70 pitches, 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned run, 5 strike-outs, and 0 walks. John also had a throwing error in the 1st inning on an attempted pick-off play at first-base. My conversation with John after the game confirmed his bad decision to even attempt the pick-off during that time of day at Frawley Stadium, due to the effects of the setting sun.



Professional baseball is a series of constant adjustments during a player’s career and development. John Lamb has plenty of adjustments ahead through this journey to his third team of the season. Three different hats this season has him grinning from ear to ear, tonight.



Sincere thanks to the entire Kansas City Royals organization for the continued challenges and opportunity they have provided my son with his recent promotion to Class AA level in the Texas League with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The official announcement will more than likely be public before tomorrow night's game for game two against the Potomac Nationals.

John Lamb pitching in last 2010 Spring training game

John Lamb

A little look at the past for John Lamb before he shipped off to Burlington, IA to join the Bees of the Midwest League in the Class A level of professional baseball for the Kansas City Royals organization.As many of you know, John is currently playing for the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the Carolina League at the Advanced Class A level. Next start is set for Monday when the Blue Rocks return home in Wilmington, DE.

Wife finds a nice article about John Lamb

John Lamb

My wife Colleen, found a nice short list for pitchers during the 2010 season that was written by a well respected Major League Baseball employee, Jonathan Mayo. I only have one thing to say about the following article…wow!

Article was posted July 22, 2010 by Jonathan Mayo on his B:3 Big, Bald and Beautiful MLBlogs site.

We're on a roll here now and I wanted to keep the momentum going. Over the last two days, I provided 10 potential candidates for Player of the Year in the Minor Leagues. Now it's time to move on to pitchers.

Once again, here's the disclaimer: Pitcher of the Year does not necessarily mean prospect of the year. I'm looking at performance, not status. With that in mind, here are three nominees for your consideration. As always, please interact and give suggestions in comments.

Joe Gardner, RHP, Indians: Not a bad first season for the 2009 third-round selection. The right-hander has held hitters at two levels to a .188 BAA, fourth lowest in MiLB. At the same time, he's been a ground ball machine, topping MiLB with a 3.50 GO/AO ratio. He's struck out 113 in 104 innings and has a 1.07 WHIP to go along with a 2.77 ERA.

John Lamb, LHP, Royals: Other arms in this system may get the attention (Crow, Montgomery), but that should change now. The 2008 fifth-round pick just turned 20 this month and has already jumped a level, from Class A to Class A Advanced ball. And he's pitched better up a level. Overall, he leads Minor League Baseball with a 1.38 ERA and hitters have hit just .197 against him (good for seventh lowest in MiLB). His 0.98 WHIP is eighth lowest. He's seventh overall with 128 K's, doing that while walking just 32 in 110 2/3 IP.

Michael Pineda, RHP, Mariners: Just 21 years old, he's already in Triple-A. Combined, he's gone 11-1 with a 2.72 ERA in 18 starts. Over 106 IP, he's struck out 109 while walking just 26. The right-hander has held opposing hitters to a .219 batting average against (just .196 in his five Triple-A starts thus far).

Photo credit - Keith Lovett

 

With yesterday’s Wilmington Blue Rocks game being postponed due to heavy rains the Blue Rocks will try to play a double-header today in Kinston versus the Indians, Advanced Class A team on the Cleveland Indians.



Next start for John Lamb is set for Monday when the Blue Rocks return home to Frawley Stadium in Wilmington, DE.

Lamb has longest start but Blue Rocks lose in 13 innings!

John Lamb

Myrtle Beach, SC - Wilmington Blue Rocks lost the series and the game tonight following a 27 minute rain delay and a 13 inning contest with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Atlanta Braves Advanced Class A team. Despite the solid pitching by Lamb the Blue Rocks suffered from errors and missed opportunities with runners on base.

John Lamb tossed a career-best 7.1 innings and allowed just one earned run, his first in six outings and 35.2 innings. (Photo credit - Brad Glazier)

John Lamb was solid again with his longest outing of the year, as he took the ball to the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning with a 3-2 advantage. Lamb was at 81 pitches to start the inning but gave up a lead off single for the third of the night. On a 1-0 count a sacrifice bunt moved the lead off runner to second with the put out throw from Lamb to first base. Lamb finished with 88 pitches, 69 percent in the strike zone, 18 first pitch strikes, 8 first pitch balls, 13 ground ball outs and did not have any fly ball outs. The lack of fly ball outs was really a little unusual for most of his past performances, but still effective none the less.



Blue Rocks went to the bull-pen for Harold Mozingo who promptly surrendered a hit allowing the first earned run to be tallied against Lamb in his last six starts. Mozingo continued to pitch well on his own accord until his removal in the 13th by Barry Bowden.



Lamb finished the longest work of his second professional baseball season with 7-1/3 innings, 3 runs, 1 earned run, 3 hits, 8 strike outs and 0 walks. He managed to shave a little off his current earned run average and continues to lead all levels of Minor League Baseball.



Blue Rocks had plenty of hits through the game put just didn’t get the timely ones needed to blow the game open. Four different Rocks had multiple hits during the extra inning game, including Navarro, Colon, Mejia and Francis. Salvador Perez was the only Blue Rock with a single hit for the night, although there were a few that did not get a hit during the game. The team finished the night going 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
 
 
 
Pelicans grabbed the win and the three game series in the bottom of the fourth extra inning. The Blue Rocks suffered only their third loss in an extra inning contest for the Carolina League Northern Division, as the current first place team. Tonight’s blow also put the Blue Rocks back into an even .500 level of wins and losses as they climb into the bus and head for Kinston to play the Indians.

Lamb featured in Baseball America...

John Lamb

We all have routines we seem to follow and one way to open your eyes quicker than that 3rd cup of coffee is to see your son's picture on the front page of the Baseball America website. John Lamb has received a little attention from his recent string of scoreless innings in the Advanced Class A level Carolina League playing for the Wilmington Blue Rocks. As of adding this post, the article can be found on the "quick links" portion of the Baseball America site or by using the link below the picture of John.

Baseball America - Prospect Hot Sheet

This year has provided his family and friends plenty of opportunity to smile during Lamb's first full season of professional baseball competition. Sure, he played last year in his first professional season after the 2008 auto accident injury that prevented him from playing his senior season in high school, but it was a short Rookie level year. We have smiled ever since his phone call home earlier this year which indicated the Kansas City Royals were allowing him to "break spring training camp" and similar smiles continue today with his name sitting on top of the ERA leader board throughout Minor League Baseball.



Getting brutally honest though, it really doesn’t matter where he is on the statistic boards or what uniform he is wearing today because my smiles are generated from knowing that my son is living his childhood dream of playing professional baseball, thanks to the Royals selection in the 2008 MLB draft.




Next Wilmington Blue Rocks start for Lamb is set for this Wednesday in Myrtle Beach against the Pelicans at 7:05 ET. Go catch the radio broadcast on the Blue Rocks website.



GO BLUE ROCKS!

Lamb does it again...Blue Rocks win both games!

John Lamb

Wilmington, DE - Buddy Baumann and John Lamb, both had fantastic starts tonight in the Carolina League double-header against the leagues best hitting team, the Baltimore Orioles Advanced Class A level, Frederick Keys. Both Wilmington Blue Rocks lefties did exceptionally well against a very good hitting club. The Blue Rocks won the first game 10-1 and the second game 2-0, making it their first twin bill sweep of the 2010 season.

John Lamb is 6-2 with a 1.28 ERA in 11 starts for Wilmington. (Keith Lovett/MiLB.com)

John Lamb has now extended his consecutive scoreless frames to 30 and continues to pile up the strike-outs in the process. Lamb only allowed 1 hit during his 6 innings of work including 8 Ks, 1 BB and hit 1 batter that seemed to excite the Keys dug-out following previous warnings to both teams. The Keys batter was struck by a 1-2 count curve-ball, which was obviously not intentional as deemed by the home plate umpire.

My son was interviewed following the game, as the "Player of the Game," and provided a clear perspective that my son continues to work hard and have fun during his second season of professional baseball. He is having a wonderful season and we are very blessed to share the highlights through the Blue Rocks radio broadcast. The only word that comes to mind is...wow!