Newest Mariner, Ben Gamel, gets immediate chance in outfield
SEATTLE – Following Wednesday’s trade that netted outfielder Ben Gamel, general manager Jerry Dipoto said the Mariners wanted to “see where he’s at in September and gauge what that means for 2017.”
Well…here you go. Gamel made his Mariners’ debut Friday night by leading off and playing right field in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field.
“Why not?” manager Scott Servais asked. “We’ll fire him out there. We’ve had pretty good success in going with the new guy. Sometimes, it sparks us a little bit.
“We’re looking for some help at the top of the lineup, and he’s done a pretty good job throughout his career at handling left-handed pitching.”
Gamel said he’s batted leadoff “for a good bit of my career.”
“I’m just excited to get here and get with the team,” Gamel said. “There are a couple of familiar faces in here. That’s made it a little easier. I played with Pat Venditte and (Vidal) Nuno.”
The Mariners added Gamel, officially, to their roster prior to Friday’s game — two days after acquiring him from the New York Yankees for minor-league pitchers Jio Orozco and Juan De Paula.
Gamel, 24, was chosen Tuesday as the most valuable player in the International League after batting .308 with a .365 on-base percentage with six homers and 51 RBIs in 116 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“Good outfielder,” Servais said. “I don’t think there’s any one special tool. He controls the strike zone. Gets on base. He’s hung in pretty good against lefties throughout his career.
“He needed an opportunity. That’s what we have. Sometimes, you’re in an organization with other guys in front of you, there’s not much of an opportunity or chance.”
Gamel made his major league debut earlier this season by going 1 for 8 in six games for the Yankees, who deemed him expendable after acquiring outfielder Clint Frazier from Cleveland in a July 31 trade for closer Andrew Miller.
Frazier was the fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft and appears ready to push for time in a New York outfield that currently consists of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge.
“I’m anxious and excited,” Gamel said. “I’m really excited for the opportunity and thankful for it.”
Gamel’s name is pronounced like camel with a G. He is 5 feet 11 and 185 pounds. He bats and throws left-handed and is capable of playing all three outfield positions — and insists “it doesn’t matter” where he plays.
“I’ve played all three my whole career,” Gamel said. “Wherever they need me.”
Gamel is also known for his flowing locks and, coincidentally, the Mariners staged their “Girls Night Out” promotion at Friday’s game.
That was news to Gamel, but he observed that in leaving the Yankees, who have a strict policy on hair and grooming, that “I can actually grow it here.”