Brewers recall Gamel, Villanueva, and Jeffress [Latest: Gamel needs toe surgery]

[TooLiveBrew]

Can Mat Gamel pitch?

[Gobias Industries]

How much minors experience did Gamel get in right field? Is it feasible for him to get any starts there for the Brewers this month?

 

I want to see Gamel play, but I don't see how you sit McGehe. He's batting .286 with an .816 OPS, 20 homers and 86 rbi's. He also has a very hot bat right now, and should be considered for August player of the month. Sure the 100 rbi stat is arbitrary, but I'm guessing it means something to him, and moreover I think he's earned the opportunity to play. I could see sitting him about one game a week. I also wonder if it's possible to shift McGehe to 2nd one day a week, resting Weeks, and letting Gamel get in games that way.

Weeks is hell bent on being in the lineup every day after his past injuries. He could also have a very hot month and set records for a leadoff man. Not to mention Macha loves the guy, so I don't see that happening. IIRC he's only had one off day this year.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Basically what will end up happening is Gamel will ride the bench and only pinch hit, except he may get 2 or 3 starts at 3b to spell McGehee. That's about all I'm expecting from him the rest of the year, unless someone gets hurt. Maybe like 30 or so AB's.

[wibadgers23]

This is probably pretty sad, but I'd actually be happy if Gamel got around 30 AB's. I was figuring he'd get around 10 pinch-hit appearances and two or three starts, which would be around 20 AB's.

[And That]

If Gamel starts with the regulars (including Cain) on a day Gallardo pitches, the Brewers could have an all home-grown lineup. That's pretty cool.

[TooLiveBrew]

I guess we'll see if Melvin was doing anything more than spouting hot air with regards to these call-ups:

 

"We don't like calling up players unless they're going to play"

 

 

Sadly, I think Villy is going to get by far the most playing time of this trio.

[Sage]

I would guess that Villa and Jeffress are going to start taking some innings away from Loe and Coffey, who both need a rest. Excited to see the Brewers counter Chapman with their own flamethrower (although not as fast, obviously). Hoping to see that Villa can still get out ML hitters.

 

As for Gamel... I just don't see how he can get any consistent playing time. He will probably just get a start every once in a while to spell McGehee, and that's really it. As for Melvin's quote of "We don't like calling up players unless they're going to play", he never did specifically say that he doesn't like calling up players unless they're going to start. He only said play, which Gamel will do, just not very often. (Yes, I know, very nitpicky of me.)

[Funketown]

Seriously Melvin? You couldn't have brought Jeffress up one day earlier so he would be eligible for the playoffs? DFA Melvin.

[LouisEly]

I hope this helps Jeffress see what he'd be giving up if he "slips."

This is an interesting observation. Different people are motivated by different things. While some may question whether he deserves this reward, with some people the best motivator is to give them a taste of the carrot so they can see/feel/taste/experience what the benefits of "behaving" are. Maybe this is what really sets him straight and gives him focus the rest of his career.

[dlk9s]

I do hope, for his sake, that Jeffress stays on the straight and narrow. So far, at least, he seems to be saying all the right things.

[Oldcity]

I'm pumped for Zim-zam 2.0! Who's with me?

[Never Outhustled]

It was great watching Jeffress be everything that was advertised last night. He hit 98 with the fastball a couple times, and his curve was solid. He seemed to command both pitches well, impressive for a debut.

 

Great to see another draft pick succeed. (That was for TooLiveBrew, who accuses me of always being negative http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ) Of the 14-1st round picks made after Jeffress, only Yankee selection Ian Kennedy, a well over slot signing, is in the majors.

[monty57]

Jeffress looked great last night. I was impressed with his off-speed stuff.

 

Article on milwaukeebrewers.com about Gamel. Seems he's having trouble getting used to 1B. Mostly with "picking" throws in the dirt, which is the toughest part of 1B. Says he's more comfortable in the outfield than at first, but will play anywhere the Brewers want him.

[paul253]

I realize it was only one inning, but Jeffress looked very impressive. I was most impressed with how he pounded the strike zone. And a very good breaking ball. Does he have a changeup at all?

[TooLiveBrew]

Glad you enjoyed Jeffress last night, X. I did too, and am thrilled the Brewers called him up.

[wibadgers23]

How in the world can I watch a replay of Jeffress' outing? I wasn't able to watch the game last night. It sounds like he looked good though.

[Invader3K]

Well, most of us only "watched" it in the most literal sense. I couldn't tell if I was watching Jeffress or vintage footage of Bob Gibson at certain points.

[colbyjack]

I was most impressed with Jeffress' command/control last night. He was pumping his fastballs and dropping his curveball in very nicely for strikes last night. No sign of even being effectively wild, he was spot on, even if his appearance was brief.

[LouisEly]

Sounds like Gamel will rot on the bench because the position(s) that Gamel plays have players going for 100 RBI.

It's entirely possible that those guys going for 100 RBIs may have bonus clauses that might mean an extra $10-25K for getting 100 RBIs. If that's the case, then I think it is only fair to give them a full opportunity to achieve that.

[BrewCrewForever]

I think Jeffress should start 2011 in the bullpen at Nashville. Then at some point get the call up to Milwaukee. In 2012 you get him ready to start in Milwaukee. Just my opinion of how I would handle Jeremy.

[monty57]

I'd start him at Huntsville or Nashville as a starter to get him stretched out. It seems like his stuff is good enough to get MLB batters out, so he just needs to get stretched out and ready to take on the innings load of an MLB starter. I'd hate to waste a season or two of him in relief, followed by a season or two of him not able to throw a full season's worth of innings as a starter. If he can show the control he had last night, he's a potential ace.

[pitchleague]

It was great watching Jeffress be everything that was advertised last night. He hit 98 with the fastball a couple times, and his curve was solid. He seemed to command both pitches well, impressive for a debut.

Jeffress looked great last night. I was impressed with his off-speed stuff.

What are you guys talking about???? He gave up a hit to the first batter he faced! The guy's a bum!

[Invader3K]

I'd start him at Huntsville or Nashville as a starter to get him stretched out. It seems like his stuff is good enough to get MLB batters out, so he just needs to get stretched out and ready to take on the innings load of an MLB starter. I'd hate to waste a season or two of him in relief, followed by a season or two of him not able to throw a full season's worth of innings as a starter. If he can show the control he had last night, he's a potential ace.

I agree. I'd like to see him get stretched out in the early part of next season. 2011 may end up being a "mini rebuild" year of sorts. I'd rather use it to get him ready to be a full time starter than "waste" a year with him in the bullpen, and then not have him ready in 2012.

[Fatter than Joey]

It's entirely possible that those guys going for 100 RBIs may have bonus clauses that might mean an extra $10-25K for getting 100 RBIs.

 

I am almost certain that the current labor agreement doesn't allow for "performance bonuses"-- There can be bonuses for games played/pitched -- or ABs, but not for things like HRs, RBIs, wins, etc...

[Invader3K]

I think you are correct, FtJ. I do know they can get bonuses for certain awards (All-Star, Cy Young, MVP, etc).