Matt Gamel called up (1 Viewer)

[strykerpks]

JSOnline link

Gamel on his way

By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel

May. 13, 2009 6:30 p.m.

I just got it confirmed from a very good source in Nashville that Brewers third base prospect Mat Gamel is on his way to Milwaukee.

I called general manager Doug Melvin and he said he couldn't talk about it at this time, so it must be true.

"I might be able to say something after the game," said Melvin, referring to the Brewers' contest tonight against Florida at Miller Park. "But I might not."

Melvin did tell me that no trade has been made, so you can forget any talk that Bill Hall has been traded to make room for Gamel. It might be as simple as Gamel coming up to provide a better left-handed bat on the bench than Brad Nelson, who is 0-for-21, including 0-for-14 as a pinch-hitter.

Normally, you don't call up a top prospect to sit on the bench but the Brewers do have three interleague series on the road coming up, including next weekend in Minnesota. The DH will be used in those games and Gamel could fill that role.

In 33 games with Class AAA Nashville, Gamel, 23, is batting .336 with eight home runs and 31 RBI. He has 11 doubles and one triple, a .421 on-base percentage and .652 slugging percentage.

Gamel has had fielding issues in the past and has eight errors but he made seven of those earlier in the season and reports have been that he has looked better of late in the field.

 

[Man In The Box]

Do you think they give him a chance to take the 3B job right away? I know his defense is lacking, but they say it's been better lately. I already scooped him up since I'm desperate at 3B thanks to Kouzmanoff and Encarnacion If he's going to play the OF, my league won't allow me to play him at 3B.

 

[strykerpks]

Do you think they give him a chance to take the 3B job right away? I know his defense is lacking, but they say it's been better lately. I already scooped him up since I'm desperate at 3B thanks to Kouzmanoff and Encarnacion If he's going to play the OF, my league won't allow me to play him at 3B.

I wish I knew. I highly doubt he'll see much OF action. I don't follow the minors a ton but don't recall him playing much OF at all.Like the article says, they have some interleague series coming up where he could play some DH, and their bench has been horrible other than Craig Counsell who is seeing more time vs RHP since Billy Hall only hits LHP decently. If I had to make a call right now, I'd imagine a pinch hit per game, some DH work and a few spot starts at 3B I'm not as hardcore of a baseball fan as most here so the above is FWIW

 

[Man In The Box]

Yeah, I can't find anything more than what you've said and what's in the article. Guess we'll wait and see. Thanks.

 

[Eephus]

Do you think they give him a chance to take the 3B job right away? I know his defense is lacking, but they say it's been better lately. I already scooped him up since I'm desperate at 3B thanks to Kouzmanoff and Encarnacion :X If he's going to play the OF, my league won't allow me to play him at 3B.

I wish I knew. I highly doubt he'll see much OF action. I don't follow the minors a ton but don't recall him playing much OF at all.Like the article says, they have some interleague series coming up where he could play some DH, and their bench has been horrible other than Craig Counsell who is seeing more time vs RHP since Billy Hall only hits LHP decently. If I had to make a call right now, I'd imagine a pinch hit per game, some DH work and a few spot starts at 3B I'm not as hardcore of a baseball fan as most here so the above is FWIW

That sounds about right

 

[strykerpks]

More on Gamel..looks we were right

LINK

Gamel to get ready for interleague

By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel

May. 13, 2009 11:46 p.m.

It was a blueprint that worked for Prince Fielder, and the Brewers hope it will do likewise for Mat Gamel.

The Brewers summoned Gamel, their top offensive prospect, to the majors Wednesday night in anticipation of using the third baseman as their designated hitter in interleague play.

To make room on the roster for Gamel, the Brewers sent reserve outfielder Brad Nelson outright to Class AAA Nashville. Nelson, who was hitless in 21 at-bats this season, including 14 pinch-hit appearances, has the right to decline the assignment and become a free agent.

In the coming weeks, the Brewers have three interleague series on the road, where the designated hitter will be used. The first of those series is May 22-24 in Minnesota.

Rather than wait for those series, the Brewers opted to summon Gamel and let him get his feet get wet with some at-bats off the bench and perhaps an occasional start.

“He’ll probably get some pinch-hits, get acclimated a little bit to the big leagues,” said manager Ken Macha. “He may get a start. We’ll see how that all plays out.

“This kid is probably our best prospect. I don’t think the plan is to have him sitting on the bench.”

General manager Doug Melvin said the decision was made for a two-fold reason: Gamel’s strong offensive showing at Nashville and the lack of production from the young hitters on the bench.

Beyond Nelson, Chris Duffy is 1-for-7 as a pinch-hitter and Casey McGehee 2-for-7.

“Our pinch-hitters are barely batting .100,” said Melvin. “We can’t keep doing that. We’re going into St. Louis this weekend, a big series.

“Instead of bringing Gamel in when we get to Minnesota, we thought while we’re going on this road trip it’s a good time to get his feet wet. I didn’t give Ken any orders. He doesn’t have to play him (before interleague play).

“We did this four years ago with Prince and it worked out well. He got his first taste of the major leagues. After interleague play, we’ll re-evaluate and see where we are.”

Gamel, 23, ranked among the Pacific Coast League leaders in most offensive categories. In 33 games with Nashville, he was batting .336 with eight home runs, 31 runs batted in, 11 doubles and a triple.

Gamel accumulated 20 extra-base hits, 21 walks and 34 strikeouts in 119 at-bats, with a .428 on-base percentage and .647 slugging percentage.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2005 June draft, Gamel is not known for his defense. He committed an astounding 53 errors at Class A Brevard County in 2007 and 32 combined last season at Class AA Huntsville and Nashville.

Gamel committed eight errors this season but most came in the first few weeks and reports said he was playing better in the field recently.

“He’s had some errors down there,” said Macha. “I thought in spring training he wasn’t really terrible out there. The reports are that if he just has to react on the ball, he winds up making a good play.

“Most of his errors have been balls hit right at him and he’s got to think about what he’s going to do with the ball. This gives (infield coach) Willie (Randolph) an opportunity to work with him.”

Bill Hall, who has started 27 games at third base, has begun to struggle again against right-handed pitching (.215 batting average). But Melvin said the Gamel move doesn’t signal a platoon or the possibility of trading Hall to open the position.

“We’re not talking about a trade at this point,” said Melvin. “That’s not what this is about.”

 

[CletiusMaximus]

They also play at Cleveland next month - would be interesting to see Gamel and LaPorta DH'ing in that one.

I was getting pretty tired of Nelson. As much as I like the guy, he had to go down.

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

Whats his ceiling?

Any chance he gets some super-sub qualifying ABs at 1b and OF to go along with 3b?

Love him in that park but Bill Hall would seem to be quite the block, unless they move him or Cameron for a pitcher.

 

[Captain Hook]

Do you think they give him a chance to take the 3B job right away? I know his defense is lacking, but they say it's been better lately. I already scooped him up since I'm desperate at 3B thanks to Kouzmanoff and Encarnacion :X If he's going to play the OF, my league won't allow me to play him at 3B.

NOZero chance he replace Hall...for now. He will pinch hit, maybe get an odd game in, but was brought up to get accustomed to Major League life AND next weekend the Brewers will be in Minnesota for three games and he should get to DH. Then we will see..............likely is he gets sent back down because the rest of Interleague play is not until mid/late June.

 

[Eephus]

Whats his ceiling?Any chance he gets some super-sub qualifying ABs at 1b and OF to go along with 3b?Love him in that park but Bill Hall would seem to be quite the block, unless they move him or Cameron for a pitcher.

I think he's played exclusively at 3B at Nashville this year. If the Brewers were going to give him playing time elsewhere, they'd probably be smart to let him do it first at the AAA level.