Junior Lake

Junior Lake

34-Year-Old OutfielderOF
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Junior Lake in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Mariners in February of 2018.
Headed to minors
OFSeattle Mariners  
March 11, 2018
Lake was sent to minor-league camp Sunday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Lake had plenty of opportunities this spring to make a splash, but he recorded just four base hits in 22 at-bats, resulting in a .182 batting average. He figures to begin the season with Triple-A Tacoma.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
Lake opened the season as the fourth outfielder with the Cubs, but he was not able to maintain the job and spent quite a bit of time at Triple-A. The surplus of bats in Chicago's system allowed the organization to deal Lake to the Orioles, though he spent most of his time in Triple-A with his new team as well. Lake's lack of production is obvious with his 33.7% K% in 2014, followed by 34.5% between both the Cubs and Orioles in 2015. His minor league numbers average out to a percentage in the mid-twenties, so it is possible he can improve with additional time against big league pitching. If Lake could hold down a full-time job, he could get in the neighborhood of 15 home runs and 20 steals, but his path to regular playing time became very long after the Blue Jays claimed him off waivers in December.
Lake's 13:68 BB:K ratio was one of the worst in the league in 2013, and he was far worse in 2014, finishing at 14:110. We know you can see those numbers above, but we highlight them in case anyone thinks Lake has 20/20 potential. He doesn't. Although he made it to the majors before all of the more heralded Cubs prospects, he's certainly behind them now. If he sticks with the Cubs, he'll likely be a fourth outfielder.
Though Lake was not as pedigreed as many of the other outstanding prospects in the Cubs' system, he came into the league like gangbusters in July and found himself in the starting lineup more often than not in the last months of the season. He slowed down quite a bit after the hot start – after hitting four home runs in his first 15 games, he had just two more dingers in his last 49, and also finished with a 13:68 BB:K ratio. Though he came into the league as a shortstop, he played exclusively in the outfield for the Cubs, and it looks like he'll start in center or left – depending on how things shake out during the preseason – throughout 2014.
Lake had a better go of it the second time around at Double-A, but his plate discipline (35:105 BB:K) was still poor, and his .773 OPS doesn't exactly portend great success in the majors. Moreover, he's stuck behind Starlin Castro at short though given Lake's size he might have to move to third base anyway. In that case, he'd be in the mix with Ian Stewart, Luis Valbuena, Josh Vitters and possibly Javier Baez (eventually) for the job.
The 22-year-old had a strong AFL showing, hitting .296 with five homers and 18 steals in 28 games, but his plate discipline was a major problem both at High-A and Double-A in 2011. His defense at short also leaves something to be desired, and in any event, he's blocked by Starlin Castro for the foreseeable future. Lake did steal 38 bags in 44 attempts, so if he ever does learn to get on base, he'd have his uses as a second baseman or utility player in the big leagues. For now expect him to start the year in the high minors and don't expect a promotion until September 2012 at the earliest.
More Fantasy News
Agrees to terms with Seattle
OFSeattle Mariners  
February 14, 2018
Lake signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
ANALYSIS
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To Red Sox on minor league deal
OFBoston Red Sox  
December 13, 2016
Lake signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox on Friday, SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reports.
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Designated for assignment
OFToronto Blue Jays  
August 16, 2016
Lake was designated for assignment Tuesday, Blue Jays broadcaster Mike Wilner reports.
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Headed back to majors
OFToronto Blue Jays  
August 10, 2016
Lake's contract was selected by Toronto on Wednesday.
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Outrighted to Triple-A
OFToronto Blue Jays  
July 31, 2016
Lake was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Shi Dividi of Sportsnet reports.
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