Fantasy Baseball Scouting Report: Mat Gamel - 3B - Milwaukee Brewers

While there are numerous scouting reports available on minor league baseball players, very few scouting reports are customized to fantasy baseball standards. So with that in mind, here is a fantasy baseball scouting report on Milwaukee Brewers prospect Mat Gamel.

Player Profile - Mat Gamel:
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200
Born: July 26, 1985
Draft: 2005 - 4th Round Milwaukee Brewers
Position: Third Base

Minor League Profile:

Gamel was a 4th round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005, he has destroyed minor league pitching during his three minor league seasons from 2006 through 2008. Playing at the Double-A level in 2008, Gamel posted 19 homeruns, 6 stolen bases, 7 triples, 96 runs scored, 96 rbi, and a .329 batting average over 508 at bats. And if that wasn't good enough, Mat Gamel has been hot to start the 2009 season, tallying 20 runs scored, 29 rbi, 8 homeruns, 10 doubles, and a .347 batting average through the first 27 games and 98 at bats to begin the 2009 season. Throughout his minor league career, Mat Gamel has proven to be a solid contact hitter with line drive ability and above average power. Stolen bases have not yet played any major role in Mat Gamel's game, but he did post 14 stolen bases during one season at Single-A, so there is a possibility for 10 stolen bases per year at the major league level.

Fantasy Baseball Outlook:

At age 23 for the 2009 season, Mat Gamel is on the verge of being an everyday major league baseball player. However the one thing holding him back from being on a big league roster is his defense at third base. Much like another young Brewers prospect before him (Ryan Braun), Mat Gamel is too error prone at third base to be counted on at the big league level right now. And at age 23, if Gamel's fielding and error problems haven't been solved by now, odds are more likely that a position switch only seems obvious. A corner outfield spot or even first base could be in store for Gamel down the road. But until then, Mat Gamel will remain a third base prospect for the Brewers, who clearly need a young option at that position.

As far as being a top fantasy baseball third basemen, Mat Gamel has all the offensive tools needed to be a top 10 overall fantasy baseball third basemen during his career. Boasting a solid swing with excellent contact, Mat Gamel has the ability to be a perennial 25 homerun, 5-10 stolen base, 80 rbi, 90 runs scored, and .290 plus batting average player. In the majors, Gamel would be a solid #3, #5 or #6 hitter in any big league batting lineup. During his prime, a season of 30 homeruns, 100 rbi, 100 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, and a .310 batting average seem likely for Mat Gamel.

Keeper League Incentive:

In fantasy baseball keeper leagues, Mat Gamel is worthy of being ranked as a top 5 third base prospect entering the 2009 season. Gamel should reach the majors during the 2009 season, and could receive a decent amount of playing time sometime after the All-Star break if the Brewers offense needs a charge. But assuming Bill Hall continues to play excellent defense at third base, and he can simply put up modest offensive numbers, Gamel will likely have a hard time finding everyday playing time with the Brewers in 2009. However even with that said, Mat Gamel is a must have third base prospect for fantasy baseball teams who are short on quality third base depth. In keeper leagues that have large rosters and can afford to use a spot on a player that may quite possibly not even contribute at the major league level in 2009, Mat Gamel is the ideal prospect to hold until the 2010 season, when he could easily win a full time starting third base job out of spring training.

2009 Expectations:

While a June call-up for Mat Gamel is possible in 2009, it really is not very probable given Gamel's error prone defense at third base. So in reality, the only way Gamel gets called up to the Brewers major league team during the 2009 season, is if Bill Hall gets injured or the Brewers hitters begin to struggle, and an offensive sparkplug like Gamel gets his chance to take some at bats. If Mat Gamel would get called up in June, he has the ability to tally 15 homeruns, 60 rbi, 70 runs scored, and a .290 batting average for the Brewers in 2009.

Overall, the fantasy baseball outlook for Mat Gamel in 2009 could resemble anything from 15-20 homeruns, 60 rbi, 70 runs scored and a .290 batting average; to having absolutely no fantasy baseball impact, and a late season call-up his best bet to see any major league playing time.

2009 Stat Projections:

On the low end: 50 at bats, 8 runs scored, 2 homeruns, 5 rbi, .280 batting average
On the high end: 300 at bats, 50 runs scored, 15 homeruns, 40 rbi, 3 stolen bases, .290 batting average