Benjamin Joseph Gamel (born May 17, 1992) is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

outfielder An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder. As an outfielder, their duty is to catch ...

in the

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

organization. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. The Brewers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Di ...

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...

, and

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...

. He made his MLB debut in 2016.

Career

Early life

Gamel attended Bishop Kenny High School in

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...

. He committed to play

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...

Florida State University Florida State University (FSU or Florida State) is a Public university, public research university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preeminent university in the s ...

New York Yankees

The

selected Gamel in the 10th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Yankees and made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He played in 2011 for the Staten Island Yankees of the Low–A

New York-Penn League New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995 * "New" (Daya song), 2017 * "New" (No Doubt song), 1 ...

and in 2012 with the

Charleston RiverDogs The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League. They are located in Charleston, South Carolina, and are the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The RiverDogs' home stadium is Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Char ...

of the Single–A

South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its h ...

. He began the 2013 season with the Tampa Yankees of the High–A

Florida State League The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...

before being promoted to the

Trenton Thunder The Trenton Thunder are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Trenton, New Jersey, and play their home games at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. From 1994 to 2020, it was a Minor League Baseball team of the D ...

of the Double–A Eastern League. He returned to Trenton in 2014 and played for the

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, often abbreviated to SWB RailRiders, are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They are located in Moosic, Pen ...

of the Triple–A

International League The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...

in 2015. The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season. After attending

spring training Spring training, also called spring camp, is the preseason of the Summer Professional Baseball Leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spri ...

, Gamel began the 2016 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees promoted Gamel to the major leagues on May 5, and he made his major league debut as a defensive replacement on May 6. He spent the majority of the 2016 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and won the International League Most Valuable Player Award.

Seattle Mariners

On August 31, 2016, the

acquired Gamel from the Yankees for minor league pitchers Jio Orozco and Juan De Paula. In 2017, Gamel played in 134 games for Seattle, slashing .275/.322/.413 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI over 509 at-bats. He hit .272/.358/.370 with one homer and 19 RBI over 257 at-bats in 101 games for the Mariners in 2018.

Milwaukee Brewers

On December 21, 2018, the Mariners traded Gamel and Noah Zavolas to the

for Domingo Santana. Gamel played in 134 games for the Brewers in 2019, slashing .248/.337/.373 with 7 home runs and 33 RBI over 311 at-bats. In 2020, Gamel appeared in 40 contests, hitting .237/.315/.404 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI in 114 at-bats. On December 2, 2020, Gamel was non tendered by the Brewers, making him a

free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...

Cleveland Indians

On February 11, 2021, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the

organization that included an invitation to spring training. The Indians selected Gamel's contract on March 27. Gamel was designated for assignment on May 5, after going 1–for–14 (.071) with no home runs or RBI in 11 games.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On May 9, 2021, Gamel was claimed off waivers by the

. In 111 games for the Pirates, Gamel batted .255/.352/.399 with 8 home runs and 26 RBI.

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 22, 2023, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...

organization. In 59 games for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, Gamel hit .276/.402/.463 with 8 home runs and 31 RBI.

San Diego Padres

On July 13, 2023, Gamel was traded to the

. In 18 games for the Triple–A

El Paso Chihuahuas The El Paso Chihuahuas are a Minor League Baseball team based in El Paso, Texas. The Chihuahuas compete in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) as the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The team plays its home games at Sou ...

, he batted .314/.402/.600 with 5 home runs and 13 RBI. On August 14, the Padres selected Gamel's contract, adding him to the major league roster. Gamel went 3–for–15 (.200) in 6 games for the Padres before he was designated for assignment on September 7. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to El Paso on September 9. However, Gamel rejected the assignment and instead elected free agency.

New York Mets

On February 12, 2024, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the

. In 45 games for the Triple–A

Syracuse Mets The Syracuse Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Syracuse, New York, and play their home games at NBT Bank Stadium, which ope ...

, he batted .314/.423/.539 with 7 home runs and 24 RBI. On June 25, the Mets selected Gamel's contract, adding him to their active roster to replace Starling Marte after he was placed on the injured list. In 18 games for the Mets, Gamel hit .217/.400/.261 with no home runs, no RBI, and one stolen base. Upon Marte's return on August 18, Gamel was designated for assignment.

Houston Astros

On August 20, 2024, the

claimed Gamel off waivers from the Mets. He made his Astros debut on August 22, collecting two hits and driving in two runs as the Astros defeated the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

, 6–0. On September 17, the Astros placed Gamel on the 10-day IL with a fractured left fibula sustained after running into the outfield wall to make a catch at

Angel Stadium Angel Stadium is a ballpark in Anaheim, California, United States. Since its opening in 1966, it has been the home venue of the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB), who relocated from Los Angeles to Anaheim following the 1965 seas ...

. Gamel slashed 259/.377/.362 with one home run and 4 RBI over 20 games with the Astros. Following the season, he elected free agency. On February 5, 2025, Gamel re-signed with the Astros on a one-year, $1.2 million contract. However, he was released prior to the start of the season on March 22.

Detroit Tigers

On March 26, 2025, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

. In 17 appearances for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, he batted .262/.375/.344 with four RBI and two stolen bases. Gamel was released by the Tigers organization on May 21.

Los Angeles Angels

On June 7, 2025, Gamel signed a minor league contract with the

Personal life

His brother, Mat Gamel, played

for the

. Ben Gamel and his wife, Lauren, had their first child, a daughter, in March 2022.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gamel, Ben 1992 births Living people American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Baseball players from Jacksonville, Florida Bishop Kenny High School alumni Charleston RiverDogs players Cleveland Indians players Durham Bulls players El Paso Chihuahuas players Gulf Coast Yankees players Houston Astros players Leones del Caracas players Major League Baseball outfielders Milwaukee Brewers players Modesto Nuts players New York Mets players New York Yankees players Pittsburgh Pirates players San Diego Padres players Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players Seattle Mariners players Staten Island Yankees players Syracuse Mets players Tacoma Rainiers players Tampa Yankees players Toledo Mud Hens players Trenton Thunder players