Mat Gamel gets his first MLB start: 1-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI
The Brew Crew has made it very clear that Bill Hall is going no where. Fans excited over Gamel’s first start should realize that he isn’t your new third baseman.
Gamel was called up primarily to serve as a DH in upcoming inter league play. The loss of Rickie Weeks for the season should be filled in by some combination of Craig Counsel and rookie Casey McGehee.
His first major league home run was a 3 run shot to right off of Kyle Lohse. His defensive problems surfaced in the 7th as he missed baseballs widest first base target Prince Fielder with a throw across the infield. Skipper Ken Macha was interviewed by mlb.com in the post game and had a funny quip about Gamel.
“He had some firsts. His first homer, his first Major League start, his first error and my first gray hair.”
Defensive problems aside, fans have good reason to be excited about Gamel’s bat. He was a key part of one of the most feared minor league rosters of all time in the 2008 Huntsville Stars that featured big bats like Matt Laporta, Angel Salome, Cole Gillespie, and fellow brewers top prospect Alcides Escobar.
Gamel hit a ton while in Huntsville as he finished 2008 off with an outstanding line of .329/.395/.537. He also commited 30 errors at third base that year, and an amazing 53 errors out of 305 chances in class A Brevard County.
Defensive problems considered, his bat should still find a place to play. You should expect big offensive things for Gamel, and soon.
Gamel makes impression[Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel]
Brewers master Cards during sweep[B.J. Rains / MLB.com]
I noticed they called up alcides. Why play him at second when he is such a good ss? Why not slide hardy over?
lets see if Alcides can hit his weight first