Jimmy Lambert

Position: RHP
Born: 11/18/1994
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 170 lb
Acquired: Drafted 5th round in the 2016 draft out of Fresno State University
Career Stats

FutureSox Prospect Rankings

  • #26 – 2018 Midseason
  • #22 – 2019 Preseason
  • #20 – 2019 Midseason
  • #16 – 2020 Preseason
  • #14 – 2020 Midseason
  • #15 – 2021 Preseason

FutureSox Media

Accolades

  • South Atlantic League All-Star, 2017 Midseason
  • Southern League All-Star, 2019 Midseason

Scouting Report

After a largely unsuccessful 2016 pro debut (5.26 ERA), between rookie ball and Low-A Kannapolis, Lambert showed progress in 2017. He posted a 3.84 ERA in for both A-ball teams, but didn’t miss enough bats (9.8 H/9 and 6.1 K/9) to warrant much serious prospect consideration. That all changed during the 2018 season. Lambert bulked up in the offseason and completely overhauled his arsenal. Lambert’s strikeout rate skyrocketed to 10.3 K/9, hits decreased to 7.2 H/9, all while maintaining his walk rate (2.4 to 2.5 BB/9).

He was challenged by the White Sox with a June promotion to Birmingham and his numbers improved across the board, culminating in a dominant 10-strikeout performance on July 14 where he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. In those five starts at Double-A he posted a 2.88 ERA, 2.2 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 before being shut down with some arm soreness.

That arm soreness may have been a sign of things to come. He returned to Birmingham in 2019, but was shut down after 11 starts and had Tommy John surgery. He returned in time for Summer Camp in 2020 and made the White Sox Opening Day roster. He impressed in two relief appearances before being shut down with a forearm strain. His spot in the White Sox bullpen was a result of there not being a minor league season, but he has been shut down early three years in a row. He could warrant a long-term place as a reliever.

When Lambert started his professional career, he was a sinker-ball pitcher, working a 88-91 MPH two-seamer with fringe secondary stuff. In spring training of 2018, he received some analytic data from the White Sox that inspired him to replace his two-seam fastball with a four-seamer, and start throwing his curveball more often than his slider. These drastic changes, accompanied by an improved developing changeup, elevated Lambert from a middling prospect to a spot on FutureSox’s top 30.

Major League Outlook: 4th/5th starter or multi-inning reliever
ETA: 2020