- Full name Sean Gamble
- Born
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The Phillies see a lot of 17-year major league veteran Oscar Gamble in his son Sean. The Blue Jays did as well in 2001, drafting him in the 11th round out of high school. He played in the same outfield with Phillies 2003 fifth-round pick Javon Moran at Auburn. Gamble's success with a wood bat in the Cape Cod League in 2003--his .319 average ranked sixth in the league--offset a college career when he hit .300 as a sophomore, but never better. Gamble was more successful with wood again after he signed, finishing eighth in the short-season New York-Penn League batting race in his pro debut. Phillies officials cite Gamble's feel for hitting--he trusts his hands and uses them well--as the reason. His power rates below-average, partly because his short stroke is designed more for making contact than for driving the ball, but there's hope because his father also developed power late. Despite above-average speed, Gamble will be relegated to left field because his arm also is below-average. He could play center in a pinch, and for that reason profiles best as a fourth outfielder with doubles power. He'll likely begin 2005 in low Class A.
