Future Redbirds

I somehow let a tidbit of juicy info slip past me. It seems Chris Lambert’s promotion wasn’t much of a promotion at all, depending on your point of view. Lambert will pitch out of the bullpen for Memphis.

Lambert’s velocity has dropped from the low to mid nineties in college to 85-90 range. His control has been better this year as he’s been better at repeating his delivery, an issue that has plagued him throughout his pro career. He’s still shown a propensity for the long ball, allowing 5 homers in 25 innings. 3 of them came in one inning, back-to-back-to-back.

Putting him in the pen could good for his arm, as the grind of starting twice a week seems to be what’s sapped his velocity. If he can maintain decent control while regaining some of the velocity he lost, he may have a future yet, just not quite the future the Cardinal brass was hoping for when they drafted him.