Does Mat Gamel Have Fantasy Value?

For those of you who keep up with minor league prospects, you'll know the significance of the Brewers promotion of Mat Gamel yesterday. If his name is unfamiliar to you, familiarize yourself with one of the top 100 prospects (Baseball America #34, MLB #23 & Baseball Prospectus #58) in all of baseball.

Through 33 games (119 at-bats) Gamel is batting .336/.428/.647 for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. He also has 11 doubles and eight home runs. This kid can really mash the ball and he's been doing it his whole career.

Since being selected in the fourth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Gamel has never hit below .288 for a season and has a career minor league batting average of .308. Last season he hit 20 home runs and 35 doubles while driving in 99. So, as you can see, Mat Gamel can hit the ball.

Scout's consider him to be the type of hitter that can hit left-handed and right-handed pitching equally well. He's also expected to be a .300 hitter of better throughout his major league career. The problem with Gamel is his defense.

Gamel is a below average third baseman defensively. Most consider him better suited for first base or a corner outfield spot. Unfortunately for Gamel, he's blocked by Corey Hart, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder for those positions. Now that Bill Hall is back to hitting the ball respectably, he doesn't seem ready to hand third base over the Gamel.

So, where does that leave Gamel in regard to fantasy baseball value?

Gamel is most likely going to be a pinch hitter and fill-in player for the Brewers this season. When they begin inter-league play, he will probably be slotted into the DH spot. But, unless an injury occurs, Gamel isn't going to be a terribly valuable fantasy addition in 2009.

It's hard for me to think he can be added in mixed-leagues. The only way you can do that is if it's a Dynasty/Keeper League and the league is deep. In deeper NL-only leagues he can be added quite easily. But, in shallow NL-only league he's only rosterable once inter-league play begins.

Now, 2010 and beyond... that's a different story.