ProfileHt.: 5'10" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School
Bishop Kenny
Debut05/06/2016
Drafted in the 10th round (325th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2010 (signed for $500,000).
View Draft Report
Neptune Beach's Ben Gamel is the younger brother of Brewers big leaguer Mat and has similar hitting tools as his brother. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Gamel isn't toolsy, as he's just an average runner with a fringy arm and modest home run power with wood bats. But he has a compact, fluid stroke from the left side, one of the purest swings in the state, and could challenge the .400 mark at Florida State's Dick Howser Stadium, which is built for lefthanded hitters. Scouts laud Gamel's grinder makeup, and it's conceivable that his bat and makeup could push him into the first five rounds.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
Gamel, the younger brother of former big leaguer Mat, was drafted by the Yankees in 2010 and signed away from a Florida State commitment for $500,000. He earned the Triple-A International League MVP award in 2016 while playing for the Yankees' affiliate in Scranton-Wilkes Barre and was traded one day after winning the award to the Mariners for promising Rookie-level righthanders Jio Orozco and Juan De Paula. Gamel is undersized but makes hard contact from the left side and drives the ball into the gaps, allowing him to use his above-average speed to generate a high number of doubles and triples. His athleticism, solid-average arm and all-out style of play allow him to play all three outfield spots with above-average ability, but he has spent most of his time in center and left field. He played 24 games in right field for the Mariners after a September callup. Gamel doesn't have enough power to profile as a corner regular, but he is well-rounded enough in his skillset to stick on a major league roster as an oft-used backup. He will be in the mix for that role with the Mariners in 2017.
The brother of former big leaguer Mat Gamel, Ben signed for $100,000 out of high school in 2010 and slowly but surely hit his way onto the radar. He doesn't wow scouts with any particular tool, but the sum of his parts makes him attractive. He plays all-out, makes plenty of solid contact and in 2015 hit a career-high 10 home runs at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He added 14 triples, second in the minors. Gamel has played all three outfield positions with the bulk of his starts coming in left field until 2015. He got 74 turns in center field and the Yankees like him there, where he's an average defender. Even with the breakout year, his power probably won't profile in a corner, so he'll have the most value up the middle. The Yankees added Gamel to the 40-man roster in November, and he probably will compete with Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams for center-field time at Scranton in 2016.
Career Transactions
Houston Astros placed RF Ben Gamel on the 10-day injured list retroactive to September 15, 2024.
Houston Astros activated RF Ben Gamel.
Houston Astros activated RF Ben Gamel.
Houston Astros claimed RF Ben Gamel off waivers from New York Mets.
New York Mets designated RF Ben Gamel for assignment.
New York Mets selected the contract of RF Ben Gamel from Syracuse Mets.
Syracuse Mets activated RF Ben Gamel from the 7-day injured list.
Syracuse Mets placed RF Ben Gamel on the 7-day injured list.
El Paso Chihuahuas activated RF Ben Gamel from the reserve list.
RF Ben Gamel assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas.
Tampa Bay Rays traded RF Ben Gamel to San Diego Padres.
Tampa Bay Rays traded RF Ben Gamel to San Diego Padres.
Durham Bulls activated RF Ben Gamel from the 7-day injured list.
Durham Bulls placed RF Ben Gamel on the 7-day injured list.
RF Ben Gamel assigned to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent RF Ben Gamel and to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
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