Taking another look at Gamel (When & How)

[wibadgers23]

Knock on wood, but Gamel seems to have recovered nicely from his injury and is hitting the ball pretty well in AAA right now (defense is still an issue though). So when and how does Gamel get another opportunity with the big club? September? Spring training next year? And by another opportunity, I don't mean getting one start a week in September. I'm excited again to see what Gamel can do in the big leagues given the opportunity.

[8brewcrew]

If Prince were to be traded, which I don't see happening, I say bring up Gamel and throw him at first base to see how he does there. Otherwise, I think you have to include him in the September call-ups.

[thablingster]

Provided no one is traded, Gamel's next extended stint at playing time at the big league level will likely be in spring training. It is likely he will be a September call-up, but it's unlikely McGehee will be benched more than once per week to give Gamel a start at 3B as was mentioned.

 

Depending on what the Brewers see out of him the rest of this year and what they do in the off-season, he could either be a large factor (e.g.: A position opens up for him, Prince is traded, etc.) or a minimal factor (e.g.: He's still blocked at 3B, possibly flipped to improve pitching, etc.) in 2011.

[Funketown]

I don't think it's accurate to say that Gamel is blocked. The major concern with Gamel is obviously his defense, but McGehee's defense has been pretty bad over the last two seasons (career -13.5 UZR/150 at 3B), and Gamel's erratic arm won't be as detrimental if the Crew can acquire a 1B who can scoop a ball.

 

Gamel's K's are way down this year, and I'm hoping this means he has turned the corner. He's 25 already, so he needs to get things figured out sooner than later.

[dadofandrew]

I see him in LF/RF or at 1B, as early as next April.

 

Right now, it looks unlikely that Fielder and Hart will be signed long-term, and Weeks may be. Gamel and Lawrie are the two guys currently in the organization that could easily take those offensive spots, if not in '11, eventually.