Benjamin Joseph Gamel (born May 17, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Houston Astros.

Ben Gamel
Gamel with the Mets in 2024
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1992-05-17) May 17, 1992 (age 32)
Neptune Beach, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 6, 2016, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.252
Home runs41
Runs batted in204
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Career

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Early life

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Gamel attended Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida.[1] He committed to play college baseball at Florida State University.[2]

New York Yankees

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The New York Yankees selected Gamel in the 10th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[1][3] He signed with the Yankees and made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He played in 2011 for the Staten Island Yankees of the Low–A New York-Penn League and in 2012 with the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single–A South Atlantic League. He began the 2013 season with the Tampa Yankees of the High–A Florida State League before being promoted to the Trenton Thunder of the Double–A Eastern League.[4] He returned to Trenton in 2014 and played for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League in 2015. The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season.[5]

 
Gamel with the Mariners in 2017

After attending spring training, Gamel began the 2016 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[6] The Yankees promoted Gamel to the major leagues on May 5,[7] and he made his major league debut as a defensive replacement on May 6.[8] He spent the majority of the 2016 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and won the International League Most Valuable Player Award.[9]

Seattle Mariners

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Gamel with the Mariners in 2017

On August 31, 2016, the Seattle Mariners acquired Gamel from the Yankees for minor league pitchers Jio Orozco and Juan De Paula.[10] In 2017, Gamel played in 134 contests for Seattle, slashing .275/.322/.413 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI over 509 at-bats. Gamel hit .272/.358/.370 with one homer and 19 RBI over 257 at-bats in 101 games for the Mariners in 2018.[11]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On December 21, 2018, the Mariners traded Gamel and Noah Zavolas to the Milwaukee Brewers for Domingo Santana.[12] Gamel played in 134 games for the Brewers in 2019, slashing .248/.337/.373 with 7 home runs and 33 RBI over 311 at-bats.[13] In 2020, Gamel appeared in 40 contests, hitting .237/.315/.404 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI in 114 at-bats.[14] On December 2, 2020, Gamel was non tendered by the Brewers, making him a free agent.[15]

Cleveland Indians

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On February 11, 2021, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians organization that included an invitation to Spring Training.[16] The Indians selected Gamel's contract on March 27.[17] Gamel was designated for assignment on May 5, after going 1–for–14 (.071) with no home runs or RBI in 11 games.[18]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On May 9, 2021, Gamel was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.[19] In 111 games for the Pirates, Gamel batted .255/.352/.399 with 8 home runs and 26 RBI.

Tampa Bay Rays

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On February 22, 2023, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.[20] In 59 games for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, Gamel hit .276/.402/.463 with 8 home runs and 31 RBI.[21]

San Diego Padres

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On July 13, 2023, Gamel was traded to the San Diego Padres.[22][23] In 18 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he batted .314/.402/.600 with 5 home runs and 13 RBI. On August 14, the Padres selected Gamel's contract, adding him to the major league roster.[24] Gamel went 3–for–15 (.200) in 6 games for the Padres before he was designated for assignment on September 7.[25] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to El Paso on September 9.[26] However, Gamel rejected the assignment and instead elected free agency.[27]

New York Mets

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On February 12, 2024, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.[28][29]In 45 games for the Triple–A Syracuse Mets, he batted .314/.423/.539 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. On June 25, the Mets selected Gamel's contract, adding him to their active roster to replace Starling Marte after he was placed on the injured list.[30][31] In 18 games for the Mets, Gamel hit .217/.400/.261 with no home runs, no RBI, and one stolen base. Upon Marte's return on August 18, Gamel was designated for assignment.[32]

Houston Astros

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On August 20, 2024, the Houston Astros claimed Gamel off waivers from the Mets.[33]

Gamel made his Astros debut on August 22, collecting two hits and driving in two runs as the Astros defeated the Orioles, 6–0.[34] On September 17, the Astros placed Gamel on the 10-day IL with a fractured left fibula sustained after running into the outfield wall to make a catch in Anaheim. He slashed 259/.377/.362 over 20 games with the Astros.[35] Following the season, he elected free agency.[36]

Personal life

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His brother, Mat Gamel, played Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers.[37] Ben Gamel and his wife, Lauren, had their first child, a daughter, in March 2022.[38]

References

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  1. ^ a b Carlyon, Hays (June 8, 2010). "Bishop Kenny's Ben Gamel drafted by Yankees; five others with area ties picked in second day". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  2. ^ "Ben Gamel Class of 2010 – Player Profile | Perfect Game USA". Perfect Game. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  3. ^ Elliott, Jeff (August 24, 2010). "Ben Gamel of Bishop Kenny will sign with Yankees". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  4. ^ Johnson, Greg (July 12, 2014). "EL All-Star Gamel earning plaudits for strong start". The Trentonian. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  5. ^ Hoch, Bryan (November 20, 2015). "Yanks add Barbato, Davis, Gamel to 40-man". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Jennings, Chad (March 20, 2016). "Pregame notes: Sent to Triple-A, Gamel still firmly on big league radar". lohud.com. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  7. ^ Sickels, John (May 6, 2016). "MLB Rookie Report: Ben Gamel, OF, Yankees". Minor League Ball. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  8. ^ "Yankees survive crazy 9th inning to top Sox Republican American Mlb". Rep-Am.com. Associated Press. May 7, 2016. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  9. ^ Jennings, Chad (August 30, 2016). "Ben Gamel named International League Player of the Year". The Journal News. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  10. ^ Johns, Greg (August 31, 2016). "Mariners acquire OF Gamel from Yankees". MLB.com. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "Ben Gamel 2018 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  12. ^ Divish, Ryan (December 21, 2018). "Mariners acquire outfielder Domingo Santana from the Brewers". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "Ben Gamel 2019 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  14. ^ "Ben Gamel 2020 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Dierkes, Tim (December 2, 2020). "Complete List Of Non-Tendered Players". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  16. ^ Adams, Steve (February 11, 2021). "Indians Sign Ben Gamel". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Franco, Anthony (March 27, 2021). "Indians Designate Beau Taylor For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  18. ^ Byrne, Connor (May 5, 2021). "Indians Place Roberto Perez On IL, Select Rene Rivera, DFA Ben Gamel". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Franco, Anthony (May 9, 2021). "Pirates Claim Ben Gamel, Designate Michael Feliz". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  20. ^ "Rays' Ben Gamel: Signing with Rays". CBSSports.com. February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  21. ^ "2023 Durham Bulls minor league baseball statistics". StatsCrew.com. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  22. ^ Clark, James (July 13, 2023). "Padres acquire Ben Gamel from the Rays". East Village Times. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  23. ^ "Padres trade for big-league veteran Ben Gamel, who will be sent to El Paso". San Diego Union Tribune. July 13, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  24. ^ "O'Hearn and Henderson back rookie Rodriguez as the Orioles beat the Padres 4-1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  25. ^ "Jurickson Profar to rejoin Padres on Friday; Eguy Rosario coming with him". San Diego Union Tribune. September 7, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  26. ^ "Padres' Ben Gamel: Gets outrighted to minors". CBSSports.com. September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  27. ^ "Down on the farm: Ben Gamel now a free agent as minor league season winding down". WJXT. September 14, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  28. ^ Hyland, Bridget (February 12, 2024). "Mets sign ex-Yankees prospect to add outfield depth". NJ.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  29. ^ Krimmel, Ben (February 12, 2024). "Mets sign OF Ben Gamel to minor league deal with MLB spring training invite". SNY. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  30. ^ DiComo, Anthony (June 25, 2024). "Mets put Marte on IL with bone bruise in right knee". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  31. ^ Beach, Jerry (June 25, 2024). "Mets' Starling Marte expected to miss at least a month with bone bruise in knee". Associated Press. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  32. ^ "Mets' Starling Marte returns after eight weeks on IL". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  33. ^ "Astros' Ben Gamel: Claimed by Houston". cbssports.com. August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  34. ^ McTaggart, Brian (August 23, 2024). "Arrighetti outduels Burns to lead Astros' 2-hit shutout of O's". MLB.com. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  35. ^ Kawahara, Matt (September 17, 2024). "Houston Astros outfielder Ben Gamel's injury worsens to fractured left fibula, with return uncertain". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  36. ^ Kawahara, Matt (November 1, 2024). "Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, Yusei Kikuchi head list of 8 Astros on MLB's free-agent market". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  37. ^ "Mat Gamel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  38. ^ Mackey, Jason (April 2, 2022). "Ben Gamel has a larger role — and a kid — but isn't about to change his approach with the Pirates". Post-Gazette.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
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