GM Scouting Report: SP, Jerome Gamble

Already having 5 years of professional baseball experience at the age of 23, Jerome Gamble is an exciting and experienced young pitcher in the Red Sox farm system. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1998 draft by the Boston Red Sox out of Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama. Working his way up to AA ball in 2003, Gamble has shown a great raw arm and more command of his pitches than earlier in his career. (Free Preview of Premium Content)

The Sox lost Jerome Gamble once already in the Rule V draft (in 2002 to the Reds, who released Gamble back to the Sox during spring training), but are not willing to take that chance again.

His raw talent is clear as he is able to throw 95 mph heat as well as a nasty curve. It is the movement on his fastball that makes him such an attractive prospect, however. Without the aid of a sinker or a splitter, Gamble gave up only 2 home runs in 87.1 innings between Sarasota and Portland last year (in his only other full season, 2000, he gave up 1 hr in 78.2 innings). Movement that effectively takes away power cannot be taught, and is a quality that by itself gives the Sox hope that they have a major league quality arm in Gamble.

The Red Sox have a delicate situation with this talented young Alabaman. He has pitched well enough to earn a spot on the 40-man roster, and at his age, conventional wisdom dictates pushing him against better competition to see how he responds. The problem is that in July of 2001 Gamble underwent Tommy-John surgery on his right elbow and missed most of the season. More recently, he missed 7 weeks in the 2003 season with Sarasota because of soreness in the same elbow. He came back to close the season with a record of 8-2, an ERA of 3.00, and a WHIP of 1.00 after the injury. This late push cemented the hurler’s spot in the Arizona Fall League, where 60% of the players make it to the big leagues. The Sox are willing to trust his arm, and this coming season will go a long way to showing how strong a pitcher Gamble really is.

Year	Team	W-L	IP	H	BB	K	ERA
2003	Mesa	1-1	21.1	26	6	11	6.33
2003	Portland	2-0	11	10	1	11	4.91
2003	Sarasota	6-4	76.1	68	21	51	3.66
2002	Augusta	1-2	49.1	34	22	42	1.82
2001	Sarasota	0-0	8	11	4	7	7.88
2000	Augusta	5-3	78.2	69	32	71	2.52
1999	Lowell	1-0	25.2	18	9	37	1.75

* Stats of 9/7/03

Repertoire. Great tumbling fastball that hovers in the mid-90’s, and a curveball that can be one of the best in the minors.

Fastball. Has enough juice on the fastball to throw it by some batters, while its natural movement both fools batters and limits their power.

Other Pitches. Has a great curve that can make batters look foolish, but no reliable third pitch yet. Good to see his curveball has not changed since the surgery, a promising sign that he has moved on mentally. More coaching and experience will help him learn how to use his curve more effectively.

Pitching. He really comes after batters, getting high numbers of strike outs as well as hit batsmen. Gamble needs to develop another off-speed pitch, because 95 mph will not dominate in the majors. Definitely has the ability and mindset to make it to the majors, the only question is whether or not his elbow will hold up.

Projection. Considering how stacked the starting pitching staff is and Gamble’s lack of experience even in AAA, it will be at least a year or so before we see Jerome in the majors. If he can put together an injury free season, while keeping his K’s up and walks down, he will certainly be considered for next year’s squad.

ETA. 2005/2006.

Starting Pitchers	Team
Bronson Arroyo	AAA - Pawtucket Red Sox
Billy Simon	A - Augusta Green Jackets
Jon Lester	A - Augusta Green Jackets
Arthur Santos	A - Lowell Spinners
Kyle Jackson	R - GCL Red Sox

Comments

1. Bronson Arroyo led the Sox farm system this year with his 12 wins and 155 strikeouts. He finished with a 3.43 ERA at Pawtucket including a perfect game, which was good enough for a September call up. Arroyo impressed in his September appearances and earned a playoff roster spot. The 26 year old had a 2.08 ERA in 17.1 IP for the big club, and will also be looking to make the big league roster starting next year.

2. Manny Delcarmen is a local product out of Roxbury High School. He was forced to miss the majority of the season due to Tommy John surgery, but he is expected back at full strength. He has a mid 90’s fastball and a strong curve. He will have to add another off speed pitch to his repertoire to be successful at the upper level, but this kid has a ton of potential and a huge upside.

3. Billy Simon is another pitcher who like Delcarmen has a ton of potential. Simon was selected in the 9th round, only due to the fact people were scared by a commitment to LSU. The Sox were able to lure him away and they expect big things from him. He has a low 90’s fastball and a power curve. He is a big kid and should add some more speed to his pitches. He also needs to work on a third pitch to be successful.

4. Jon Lester is a LHP who was the Sox first overall pick in the 2002 draft. Lester features a fastball in the low to mid 90’s and a slow curve. He had an inconsistent year at Augusta where he showed flashes of something special. His skills remain raw and he needs more time to develop.

5. Arthur Santos was drafted in the 34th round of the 2003 draft out of Florida International. The righty posted very solid stats in his time at short season Lowell. He finished with a 1.99 ERA in 58.2 IP. He did not strike a lot of guys out but maintained a very good K/BB ratio.

6. Kyle Jackson was drafted in the 32nd round of the 2001 draft out of Alvirne High School in Litchfield, NH. Jackson finished with a 5-2 record and a 1.85 ERA spending the majority of his time on the Gulf Coast team before finishing his year at Lowell.