Drootin honored by Dodgers
NPHS baseball coach recognized for his work with minor league prospect Andrew Lambo
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

Scott Drootin

The Los Angeles Dodgers appreciate the work Newbury Park High head baseball coach Scott Drootin did with Andrew Lambo, the Dodgers' fourth-round pick during June's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

During the second annual High School Baseball Coaches Reception last Thursday at the Stadium Club in Dodger Stadium, Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda presented Drootin with a plaque of appreciation in recognition for his "outstanding contributions to the great game" and "endless hours of developing future Dodgers."

Drootin coached Lambo for two years at NPHS, during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, where the left-handed slugger set the school's all-time career record for home runs and was twice named Ventura County Player of the Year.

"It was a nice way for the Dodgers to say thanks for getting Andrew on the right path," Drootin said. "He's a great kid with a great future."

Drootin said the night was full of memorable highlights.

After he and Lambo posed for pictures with Lasorda, Drootin, a lifelong Dodger fan, got to meet one of his idols, Mike Brito.

Brito, who's often seen behind home plate at Dodger Stadium with a radar gun and his trademark white Panama hat, was the scout who helped sign Fernando Valenzuela many years ago.

"He is a legend in my mind," Drootin said. "It was awesome to meet Mike Brito."

As for Lambo, his rookie season in the Gulf Coast League was nothing short of phenomenal.

Playing primarily as a right fielder, Lambo finished second in the GCL in on-base percentage (.440) and OPS (.960), which is a combination of onbase plus slugging percentage.

Lambo's .343 batting average ranked third in the GCL. He also tied for fifth in runs scored (28) and was tied for sixth in total hits (62).

For his effort, Lambo was named the organization's Guy Wellman Award winner, which is given out annually to the Dodgers' top minor league player. Past honorees included pitchers Clayton Kershaw (2006), Chad Billingsley (2005) and Chan-Ho Park (1994), as well as first baseman James Loney (2002) and third baseman Adrian Beltre (1995).

Lambo, 18, will be presented with the Guy Wellman Award, named after the team's longtime coordinator of instruction and field coordinator, during a spring training game.

Chuck Crimm, a former major league pitcher and Thousand Oaks High graduate, was the scout responsible for signing Lambo. He was recognized at last week's ceremony as well.

"Chuck was the one guy that didn't let any of Lambo's past stuff bother him," Drootin said.

"After talking with him and Lasorda, they think they got the steal of the draft."