Gamel Time

Yesterday, Brewers top hitting prospect Mat Gamel made his season debut as a pinch hitter. Milwaukee summoned him from Triple-A, where he was tearing the cover off the ball, hitting .336/.428/.647 with 20 extra base hits in 145 plate appearances. As a 23-year-old with serious thump in his bat, the Brewers realized that he had little left to learn in the Pacific Coast League, and have brought him up to help them contend for the NL Central title this year.

No one questions Gamel’s bat. Everyone questions his glove, however. His lack of range and stiff hands are a significant problem at third base, and even at first base, the reviews aren’t good. More than once, it’s been suggested that Gamel’s best position is probably designated hitter, which doesn’t exist in the National League. A significantly improved defense was one of the main keys to the Brewers run last year, and they are understandably cautious about weakening their defense by giving Gamel significant playing time.

However, they should give him a shot at third base against right handed pitchers. Bill Hall is having a nice rebound season from his miserable 2008 campaign, but he’s the quintessential platoon player. In 2007, he hit .247/.305/.408 against right-handers. Last year, that fell to .174/.242/.316. This year, he’s at .212/.316/.333. Hall can hit lefties (career .862 OPS versus southpaws), but he’s vulnerable against right-handed pitching.

The Brewers line-up has enough lefty mashers. Seven of their eight position players are right-handed, with only Prince Fielder swinging a lefty bat in their regular line-up. Gamel, even with his fielding issues, would offer a little bit more balance and give them a significant offensive upgrade at the hot corner against RHPs. Hall could still sub in as a defensive replacement and play against lefties, so the time share would be something along the lines of 70-30 in favor of Gamel.

His defense is bad, but the opportunity to get a real hitter against right-handed pitching in the line-up at third base is one the Brewers shouldn’t turn down.