Why not let Gamel give it a go?

[Madtown Bomber]

With Bill Hall so far today 0-3 and the average nearing .220 again and Craig Counsell not much better around .230, I am starting to lean towards seeing if Mat Gamel can provide a spark. I am not talking about him taking over full time but maybe allowing him to start a game or two against San Diego and Cincinnati to see if he can handle the position before returning to play the likes of Philadelphia and Chicago. I was totally against playing any of the "kids" before the call-up but after watching the likes of Hall and Counsell continue to have struggles I am leaning towards seeing if he can handle it. If Gamel struggles no loss you go back to the platoon.

 

Anybody leaning this way? Or am I crazy?

[cwolf2012]

I would start him against righties for sure. If we're desperate for a defensive improvement late in the game, throw counsell in there.

[JoeHova]

Yeah, I'd like to see Gamel get a few starts too. It's not like Hall and Counsell are doing much to help. Counsell could be used liberally as his caddy, but it would be nice to see a little bit of offense out of 3rd base. We had that month of Branyan and that's been it this season.

[logan82]

I would give Gamel about a start a week for the rest of the year depending on his defense. If the organization feels good about his defense I don't see any reason to give Counsel starts over Gamel. The power potential alone would make it worth starting Gamel.

[Postseason2006]

Bill Hall's offense is dreadful right now against LH pitching.

[JJHardy7]

I guess I just hope the Brewers roll the dice a bit and try to use all the players they called up. I have a feeling Gamel, Escobar, and Salome are barely going to play and I think that's wrong. I hope they all get a few starts or at least playing time in parts of games.

 

The one thing regarding 3B is that the Brewers have depth there now with Gamel. I see no harm in starting him there since Counsell and to a certain degree Hall can come in if needed as the game goes on and if that's not enough Brad Nelson could hack it at 3B for a few innings if some type of emergency came up.

[BrewCrewForever]

I would love to see Gamel get some starts against RHP. Then late in the game you pull him and put Counsell in for defense. We need to get some offense from our 3B spot and Hall nor Counsell have really supplied it. Why not give Gamel a few games and see what he can do against big league pitching.

[owbc]

From what I've heard, Gamel's defense is dreadful. As for the offense--he might get off to a hot start, but realistically, .250 would be a nice number for a AA player in the majors the first time.

 

Hall may not have much of a bat these days, but he's made a number of nice defensive plays lately which is reason enough to keep him in there.

 

The last thing we want is a minor league player to make a critical error in an important game. I'd rather not see the position players at all, I don't see why we are messing with a team that won 80 games in 5 months. We're leading the Wildcard--save the rebuilding for next year.

[JJHardy7]

The last thing we want is a minor league player to make a critical error in an important game. I'd rather not see the position players at all, I don't see why we are messing with a team that won 80 games in 5 months. We're leading the Wildcard--save the rebuilding for next year.

 

Well if we're in the win now mode we put the best team on the field. Does that mean it's Gamel? I don't know if it's him, but we need to try and get production out someone there. As far as his defense, it obviously isn't where the Brewers want it, but he made pretty big strides this year. I personally would be willing to give up a few errors from Gamel if his offense can beat out what the Brewers currently have at 3B. I'm not saying Gamel is a savior for the rest of the way, but if we're going for it Gamel should at least get a handful of starts.

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

It was great to see all the youngsters out there today...although it would have been better in a Brewers blowout, not the other way around.

 

As great as Gamel was at AA...there is no need to rush him. Just seeing him out there today reminds me of how these guys still have to physically mature. He looked so skinny out there in comparison with the 26-28 year old Brewers. Give him a few ABs, get him the taste and look forward to him raking at Nashville.

 

As bad as Billy Hall looks...and it has been truly painful to watch...I think you stick with Hall/maybe Counsell. At least for the defense.

[BrewCrewForever]

Great post JJHardy7. Sure his defense is not all that good, but working very hard on it at Huntsville with Don Money he improved quite a bit. And I wouldn't start him against LHP but I would give him a few against RHP just to see how ready his bat really is.

[GAME05]

i'm totally against it. we're not teetering on the brink of falling out of the WC lead, so the 1 or even 2 games that a productive Gamel might get us isn't going to make a tremendous difference. then consider that he might lose us 1-2 games with defensive errors and it's a wash.

 

most every player will tell you that it's hard to keep any sort of rhythm when you're not playing every day. only if Gamel were on our playoff roster would i want him to get even semi-regular starts. but right now Hall needs the ABs to stay sharp and consistent--yeah, even if it's .230 consistent. but either way, he's only going to improve with regular ABs, and definitely not from sitting on the bench.

 

he can PH and that's enough. the month of September during a WC race isn't the time to see if the dude can handle the 3b job for the future--that's for spring training or April.

[crossface21]

I would gladly take a .250 over what the Brewers have right now at 3rd Base. Replace Gamel when it becomes defensively necessary at the end of games. The offense can't be any worse than it is right now.

 

Bill Hall has 400 AB's, and he's still hitting .230. The only thing consistent about Hall is that he's consistently bad. He's had enough opportunities to straiten himself out and stay sharp. Hall has been very professional and a huge team player for everything they've asked him to do. But, when do the needs of the entire organization to put the best team out there during a playoff run outweigh putting a guy hitting .230 out there that is consistently striking out when there just might be a another guy on the bench that can do better? I say give Gamel a chance and see what happens.

[TooLiveBrew]

If Gamel can't better a sub-.300 OBP (Hall), then I'd worry about him a bit going forward. There's just no way imo that Gamel can be worse at the plate v. RHP than Hall has been all season.

[BrewCrewForever]

If Gamel can't better a sub-.300 OBP (Hall), then I'd worry about him a bit going forward. There's just no way imo that Gamel can be worse at the plate v. RHP than Hall has been all season.

Exactly. And one of Matt's greatest strengths is his eye. I'm sure he could carry a better OBP then Hall or even Counsell the rest of the way.

[JJHardy7]

i'm totally against it. we're not teetering on the brink of falling out of the WC lead, so the 1 or even 2 games that a productive Gamel might get us isn't going to make a tremendous difference. then consider that he might lose us 1-2 games with defensive errors and it's a wash.

 

I've seen Gamel a few times and I'm not all that worried about his defense. Like many have posted in the minor league forums errors in the minors might be the worst stat in baseball (and IMO Gamel's errors are more or less throwing errors which hopefully can be fixed). I think he can stick at 3B, but again I thought and still think Braun could stick at 3B -- which many here never thought or don't think anymore so my opinion could be way off. From everything I've heard, Gamel has a 'better' chance to stick according to those in the minors, but I honestly don't know what that really means. I do think if he's not rushed (and not to be a jerk, but Gamel isn't a Braun type so we can wait IMO) the Brewers will keep him at 3B.

 

In regards to falling out of the WC lead, I don't want it to get to that. We have the depth and if Gamel comes out and has this 3 error game that costs us all these runs you are stating we can take him out. It's that simple. We've lost games on a lot more sad things than playing a Gamel type at 3B. I'll take my chances to start a few games and if he is awful (and for the record I think folks here tend to think he's worse than Braun which IMO isn't true) we have options on the bench. Is Gamel ready? Not sure, but Hall and Counsell are a joke batting and I'd rather get to the playoffs AND build a lead than worry about how tight the lead is. Let's go for it and let's put the best players in the lineup.

[BrewCrewForever]

and not to be a jerk, but Gamel isn't a Braun type so we can wait IMO

 

I don't think you were being a jerk JJHardy7. Gamel is good and going to be very good, but he is no Braun. As a matter of fact few can come into the league and do what he has done. I wouldn't expect Gamel to come close but better then Hall or Counsell.

[JJHardy7]

I don't think you were being a jerk JJHardy7. Gamel is good and going to be very good, but he is no Braun. As a matter of fact few can come into the league and do what he has done. I wouldn't expect Gamel to come close but better then Hall or Counsell.

 

I agree BCin04. We can wait until next year to make him 'the guy', but there's no reason to not give him a few starts. He may struggle, but his struggles may be better than the mess at 3B we currently have. I think of Gamel, Escobar, and Salome at this point and time (ie no future off-season trades are made) Gamel will be needed and/or ready the earliest. Let's get him some time...and he's a lefty!

[TooLiveBrew]

The idea that Gamel wouldn't be a better option than Hall or Counsell at this point (imo) is just stubborn, 'old-baseball' mindedness. Let him fly. There's absolutely no way he could be any worse.

[logan82]

My main concern with giving Gamel a chance at 3B was using up service time. Well, he is just sitting there, I figure we might as well use him. Unless he is a complete butcher in the field, I don't think he could be any worse than Hall or Counsel.

[Hate those Rodents]

I agree with those willing to give Gamel a shot. The play at 3B has been atrocious. Too bad we have that "veteran leadership" and "gritty" and "experienced" choices at 3B that would make such an idea ludicrous to Yost.

[mothershipconnection]

Considering his poor defense and lack of experience, my knee-jerk reaction is an instant "no". But then I look at how our current options are doing and, gosh, can Rivera play 3B?

[Buckhunts]

Absolutely not! Not right now at least. Until we have secured a post-season spot, I want the most seasoned and experienced line up out there, even if that means a Hall/Council platoon. This group got us to where we are now, there is no reason to think they cannot finish the job. Once we get a post-season spot locked up, then I would put in Gamel, Esci, Salome, Nelson, and Co. and let the good times roll. BTW, I have seen Gamel play at multiple levels and have no doubt that he will be an average third basemen...he's just not there yet. Which leads me to my question for all of you. Do you really think we should be sacrificing defense for offense at this point in the season? Pitching and defense wins championships IMO.

[True CryM]

I'd give Gamel a shot in Sheets' next start. Given Benny's propensity for fly ball outs and quickness on the mound, Gamel shouldn't have as many opportunities as in a Suppan pitched ballgame.

[jeffy]

The idea that Gamel wouldn't be a better option than Hall or Counsell at this point (imo) is just stubborn, 'old-baseball' mindedness. Let him fly. There's absolutely no way he could be any worse.

I'm not so sure the Gamel bandwagon is not just stubborn old-brewerfan.net, play the AAA and AA players and we are sure to win, mindedness. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

They need to play the guys who are going to be in the post-season. As someone else posted Hall needs the ABs, he's only going to potentially improve with regular ABs and definitely will not improve by sitting on the bench.