Mathew Lawrence Gamel (born July 26, 1985) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers across the 2008 through 2012 seasons. Once considered among the best prospects in baseball, Gamel's career was limited by injuries.
| Mat Gamel | |
|---|---|
 Gamel with the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| First baseman / Third baseman | |
| Born: July 26, 1985 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 3, 2008, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 1, 2012, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .229 |
| Home runs | 6 |
| Runs batted in | 29 |
| Teams | |
Early life
editGamel attended Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida.[1] He was drafted in 4th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft from Chipola College in Marianna, Florida.
Baseball career
editMilwaukee Brewers
editGamel played his first professional season in 2005 for Milwaukee's Rookie League Helena Brewers. Gamel was promoted to the Single-A West Virginia Power in 2006 and the High Single-A Brevard County Manatees in 2007 in which he posted a 33-game hitting streak bested only by Derek Jeter.[clarification needed] He played most of the 2008 season with the Double-A Huntsville Stars before being promoted to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on August 24.[2] In 2008, he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.[3]
Gamel was called up to the Majors for the first time when rosters expanded on September 1, 2008, and made his debut two days later, striking out in a pinch-hitting appearance. He recorded his first career hit, a double, on September 7, 2008, off of Chris Young of the San Diego Padres. He hit his first career home run on May 18, 2009, off of Kyle Lohse of the St. Louis Cardinals. However, he made his first fielding error at third base during the same game, even though he had made a great play just a few innings earlier. He hit his second home run off Jason Hammel of the Colorado Rockies.[citation needed]
On May 22, 2012, Gamel underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and missed the rest of the 2012 season.[4]
During 2013 Spring Training, Gamel retore his surgically repaired ACL and missed the entire 2013 season.[5]
Chicago Cubs
editOn October 3, 2013, Gamel was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.[6] On December 2, he was non-tendered by Chicago, becoming a free agent.[7]
Atlanta Braves
editOn December 13, 2013, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[8] However, he re-injured himself doing workouts before spring training and was released by the Braves on February 18, 2014.[9][10]
New York Yankees
editOn March 6, 2015 it was reported that Mat signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.[11] He was released on March 14, 2015.[12]
Somerset Patriots
editOn March 31, 2015, Gamel signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on September 1. In 73 games he struggled immensely hitting .196/.258/.325 with 7 home runs, 34 RBIs and 1 stolen base.
Camden Riversharks
editOn September 3, 2015, Gamel signed with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. In 15 games he struggled terribly hitting .132/.207/.208 with 1 home run and 3 RBIs.
Personal life
editGamel's brother, Ben, also plays in MLB as an outfielder.[13] Gamel is currently married[14] with two children.[15]
References
edit- ^ Kendrick, Scott (June 28, 2009). "Grading Area's Major Leaguers". Florida Times Union. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015.
- ^ Shepard, Brad (August 24, 2008). "Gamel lands big promotion". Huntsville Times. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (July 7, 2008). "Gamel, LaPorta take act to Futures Game". MILB.com. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ "Gamel undergoes knee surgery". MLB.com. May 2, 2008. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ Rosiak, Todd. "Mat Gamel confirmed out for the season". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
- ^ Gonzales, Mark (October 3, 2013). "Cubs claim Gamel off waivers from Brewers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ Muskat, Carrie (December 2, 2013). "Cubs retain nine with signings, contract tenders". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ O'Brien, David (December 13, 2013). "Braves sign former Brewers 1B/3B prospect Mat Gamel". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ "Former Brewer Mat Gamel reinjures knee, released by Braves". The Daily Cardinal. University of Wisconsin–Madison. February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ O'Brien, David (February 18, 2014). "Gamel released by Braves after reinjuring knee". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ Pimpsner, Robert. "Yankees Sign 1B Mat Gamel to MiLB Deal". Pinstriped Prospects. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ Krest, Shawn (March 14, 2015). "Yankees release Mat Gamel after a week". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ "Ben Gamel of Bishop Kenny will sign with Yankees | members.jacksonville.com". Jacksonville.com. August 14, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
- ^ McTaggart, Brian (July 16, 2010). "Baseball wives tour Gulf Coast". MLB.com. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ Brown, David (May 8, 2012). "Gotcha! Mat Gamel takes secret photo of fan who took secret pic of him". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- "Minor League Baseball: Stats: Mat Gamel." Minor League Baseball. 2008. Retrieved on August 25, 2008.