Pirates Call Up Hot-Hitting Outfielder Lambo
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- The Pirates have just announced their intent to call up outfielder Andrew Lambo from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. A corresponding move on the 25- and 40-man rosters is also expected to be announced tomorrow.
A 2009 fourth-round amateur draft selection, and a lifetime .277 hitter on the farm with a career minor-league OPS of .802 in seven seasons, Lambo will wear No. 57 with the Bucs when he joins them for the start of a three-game series against NL Central challenger St. Louis at Busch Stadium.
Lambo (6'3", 210 lbs.), 25, has hit a combined .284 with 24 doubles, five triples, and 97 RBI in 117 games between the Indians and Double-A Altoona. His 31 homers led all of minor-league baseball entering Monday.
He also currently ranks second in MiLB in total bases, and is tied for third with 60 extra-base hits and 97 RBI.
"Lambo, to his credit, he's doing some things we felt he was going to be able to do a couple years ago when we made the trade," manager Clint Hurdle told PiratesProspects.com editor Tim Williams. "He was starting to get some traction. He was put on the 40-man, brought to Spring Training. It didn't work out. The second time out, it's worked out much better. So his confidence is building.
"Sometimes you've just got to give them the opportunity to find out if they're ready."
The left-handed hitting Lambo was acquired by the Pirates from the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31, 2010 along with pitcher James McDonald, in exchange for pitcher Octavio Dotel.
The Pirates, who have spent this year at the bottom of Major League Baseball in combined OPS by right fielders, hope he can provide an upgrade over fledgling Alex Presley and Jose Tabata, and the injured Travis Snider.
In his last ten games, Lambo has hit .297 with three homers, four doubles, and ten RBI, with an OPS over 1.000, along with five walks and 11 strikeouts.
Stay tuned to SportsRadio 93.7 The Fan, your flagship home of Pirates baseball, for the latest.
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