I don’t know about you, but I miss the rated rookies subset and I think when and if Donruss ever gets their MLB license back they should definitely start producing them again. So in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to create a rated rookie set for this upcoming season. Unfortunately I’m sure Donruss owns the rights to the name so I have to come up a new name. I have come up my own name, which I’m sure has already been used, but what the hell, I’ll call them RIDICULOUS ROOKIES!

The rules are simple. To qualify the player has to have finished in at least AA or higher at the end of the 2008 season. They can have MLB time but no more than 150 at bats or no more than 50 innings pitched. These are all players that should make an impact in 2009. If you have any graphics skills come up with a logo and I’ll send you some bad wax. I’ve got my list and I’m counting backwards from 20 to 1. Let me know what you think

five

12 – Ridiculous Rookies – Mat Gamel

mat-gamel-rookie

Player Name: Mat Gamel

Player’s Team: Milwaukee Brewers

Will he start the year in the majors this year?: Possible Opening Day third baseman,more likely a mid season call up for a slumping Bill Hall

Position: Third Base

Outlook for this season: When the Brewers made the deal for Sabathia, it was either give up Gamel or LaPorta. LaPorta was roadblocked to the majors, with 4 outfielders set and Prince Fielder at first, he was the obvious choice for the trade.  Gamel will come into 2009 as one of the can’t miss prospects of the year.  He may even get a long look during Spring Trainingif he impresses.  He should open the year down in AAA.  With Bill Hall’s troubles hitting  right handed pitching, look for Gamel to get a mid season call up.  He should be able to put up 0.290/20/80/5 right now. In a few years (he is only 22) we should be looking at 0.290/30/100/5.  That makes him a Ridiculous Rookie in my book.  Like most young players, his biggest problemis strike outs.  He finished with 0.329/19/96 in AA last year but had 111 strikeouts.  Look for him to work the count more and to be less free swinging prior to his call up.

His future: He could become a solid option at third base for years to come.  I would compare him to a Robin Ventura type player.

Card Values: They are expensive, but given his position and his team, he is going to be a high profile guy (think Evan Longoria). I’ve seen refractors shoot up into the $75 – $100 region, his autographs are fetching as much as $20. As far as TTM goes, he was still signing TTM requests well into last year’s season.