Yesterday, BrewersNation reader Aaron asked about Mat Gamel and his defense. Mat is raking in Huntsville (see the boxscores below), but his defense is holding him back from the big leagues. Last season, the third baseman put up 56 errors. That’s a lot of errors. Anyway, I got in contact with Brett Pollock, who is the play-by-play announcer for the Huntsville Stars. He and I are currently working on an interview that will probably be up on Monday, but here’s a little bit on Gamel’s defense.
BrewersNation: Some of my readers are wondering how Mat Gamel’s defense has been progressing in Huntsville? We know he can mash the ball, but how’s the defense coming?
Brett Pollock: Gamel has played real well at third base, better than most of us thought he would based on his error total from last season. The only real bad game he has had was in late April against Jacksonville when he made three errors.
He has made numerous outstanding plays going to his right on the backhand and has displayed a strong arm in those situations. He still gets himself tangled up at times with footwork and could be a little more consistent going to his left but for the most part he has played well.
By comparison, he is ahead of Braun since he has always played the position, and has the ability and the makeup and desire to turn himself into a good defender. He will not not make because he didn’t work hard enough..he realizes he has a good teacher in Don Money and is using him as a resource to make himself a better player at the position.
Stay tuned for the rest of the interview in the coming days. Now…on to the Round ‘em Up. It’s going to be short and without commentary, unfortunately. I apologize.
- SI.com writes an article that says Ned Yost is the man that Brewers fans love to hate.
- FOX Sports’ Dayn Perry says that Ned Yost is not the manager that can bring Milwaukee to the next level and that he should go.
- Eli from MLB Rumors has Yost as the second most likely manager to get fired.
- Brew Crew Ball takes a look at the problems at third base for the Brewers. Obviously, Bill Hall needs to be sat against right handers. As of now, that would put Craig Counsell in against righties. Not ideal.
- David Riske is still feeling discomfort in his elbow. Like I said, this injury is a lot more serious than the team is pretending it is.
- Between the Green Pillars lists some of the pitchers the Brewers can go after in the off-season. How the Brewers have a chance at Rich Harden or AJ Burnett, I have no idea. I have a feeling that the Yankees are going to offer a lot of money to Burnett.
- Doug Melvin says that the Brewers are still interested in Julian Tavarez. I thought the Brewers were going to try Tavarez in the rotation, but Melvin says that he could help the bullpen. That’s not so bad. I could get behind that….maybe.
- Brew Crew Ball thinks that Jason Kendall is struggling a bit at the plate because he is catching too much. I disagree.
- Right Field Bleachers writes an open letter asking for the Brewers to sign Ben Sheets after the season. If Brewers think that Sheets will take a “hometown discount,” they will be surprised come November.
- The Brew Town Beat throws a little hissy fit about the Brewers. I agree with some of it, but they are overreacting on some of the points.
Minor League Transactions
Jason Shiell got called up to Nashville from Huntsville to help out the pen since Dillard, DiFelice, and Jackson left.
The big right-hander, Donovan Hand, got the call to transfer to Huntsville from Brevard County. Congrats Donovan. You definitely pitched your way up the ladder. You deserve a shot.
Awesome man. Thanks.