Pirates A to Z: Ben Gamel’s ‘play hard’ style, veteran presence fit into clubhouse culture
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During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Miguel Yajure.
Player: Ben Gamel
Position: Outfielder
Throws: Left
Bats: Left
Age: 29
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 177 pounds
2021 MLB statistics: Gamel batted .247/.347/.388 with 18 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 122 games.
Contract: After making $1.5 million last season, Gamel enters his third year of arbitration eligibility.
Acquired: Claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Indians in May.
This past season: The Pirates had designated Anthony Alford and Dustin Fowler for assignment and moved Bryan Reynolds to center field by the time they claimed Gamel off waivers.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton liked that Gamel could play all three outfield positions, providing a reliable backup in center and a possible solution to the void in left when Reynolds switched spots.
So, naturally, Gamel made his Pirates debut at first base.
“I would have lost a lot of money if we were betting on it, I’ll say that,” Gamel said. “I was happy to be out there and compete. It’s good to be back out on the field.”
Gamel became an everyday player for the Pirates, starting 71 games in left field, 18 in right and 17 in center. Not only did he bring versatility in the field but also the readiness to bat anywhere in the order.
“I’m close to five years in the big leagues now, and I can’t remember a day I came to the field and I was hitting in the same spot I was the night before,” Gamel said. “I’m just happy to be out there, whatever it looks like. … Playing every day, it’s a blessing, more than anything. I’ve had periodic playing time my last three years in the big leagues. It’s nice to be out there every day.”
After going 1 for 14 in 11 games with Cleveland, Gamel batted .247/.347/.388 with 18 doubles, three triples, eight homers and 26 RBIs in 111 games for the Pirates.
Those numbers were boosted by a big July, when he slashed .333/.417/.548 with six doubles, four homers and 11 RBIs in 25 games. That included a career night in an 11-1 win over Atlanta on July 5, when Gamel went 3 for 5 with a double, two home runs and six RBIs.
2 HR, 6 RBI tonight for Ben Gamel! ???? pic.twitter.com/NxcFjSF4Zq
— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2021
More than anything, Gamel’s “play hard” attitude, which includes a reckless disregard for his body in making diving catches, was embraced by Pirates manager Derek Shelton. Just days after misplaying a fly ball in right field in early September, Gamel answered by making impressive catches in left against the Cubs and Tigers.
“He fits right into our culture,” Shelton said. “This guy plays hard, he has intensity to him. For a guy we brought in (who) had five years’ big league service time, he plays the game exactly the way we want our culture to be.”
BEN GAMEL JUST MADE THE CATCH OF THE YEAR!!! pic.twitter.com/Sag10v9ip8
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 5, 2021
The future: Playing for his fifth team in six seasons, Gamel made a case to be the starting left fielder — a spot he shared late last season with Alford — but better projects as a fourth outfielder.
That’s an important distinction, as Gamel is projected to make $2.9 million next season by mlbtraderumors.com. The Pirates certainly can use his veteran presence and versatility while they groom their minor league outfielder prospects.
While Gamel hasn’t shown much power, he has hit more home runs (seven) at PNC Park than any other ballpark in his career — despite playing more games in Seattle (130) and Milwaukee (96). He’s batting .274/.365/.447 in 74 games in Pittsburgh.
No wonder he wants to stay.
“I love it here,” Gamel said. “I can’t say enough good things about the guys in that clubhouse. They compete every day. Obviously we haven’t won as many games as we would have liked to this year, but it’s been fun. Every single day coming to the field and grinding with this group of guys, it’s been a blessing.”