Lambo Focused On Roster Spot
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Last year, all eyes were on Andrew Lambo as he had an opportunity to become the Pirates' everyday first baseman. Lambo struggled in Spring Training, and Travis Ishikawa ended up starting Opening Day at first base.
It's a whole different situation this spring as Lambo no longer has a shot to start at first, with Pedro Alvarez moving there, and he is fighting again to make the roster.
The lefty hitter, who can also play right and left field, is hitting .160 this Spring with no homers and 2 RBI, 3 walks and 10 strikeouts, after only getting 39 at bats with the Bucs last year.
"A lot of things are chaotic in Spring Training, a lot of guys are competing," Lambo said. "You just have to go out there and relax and just focus up on getting ready for the season. Everything else is out of your control."
Lambo hit .328 in Triple A last year with 11 homers, but it was his 2013 season that put him on the team radar with 32 homers and 99 RBI combined between Altoona and Indianapolis. The 26-year-old says he continues to improve and doesn't worry about competing against his teammates, but get mentally and physically prepared for a major league season.
"Stuff that's out of your control is not worth thinking about it for more than a couple of seconds," Lambo said. "There are going to make the ultimate decision based on who will help the Pittsburgh Pirates win."