Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 Season Grades: Outfielders

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 16: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Ben Gamel #18 after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning during the game against the New York Mets at PNC Park on July 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 16: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Ben Gamel #18 after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning during the game against the New York Mets at PNC Park on July 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Ben Gamel #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Ben Gamel #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Ben Gamel

GRADE: C+

2021 Stats: 111 games, .255/.352/.399, 8 home runs, 26 RBI, -0.3 WAR

You have to give it up for Ben Gamel. The 29-year-old outfielder was a big reason the Pirates had any semblance of consistency in their corner outfield spots. The Pittsburgh Pirates claiming him was certainly a smart move.

Not that eight home runs is that impressive but he did rank fifth on the team in that category. The Pirates needed every bit of pop they could get.

This is Gamel’s 5th Major League team. It is clear that he isn’t going to improve all that much more. He is what he is, a solid fourth outfielder on a good team. In Pittsburgh, Gamel is afforded an opportunity to play nearly every day. The Pirates would be wise to try and resign him, even if it is for another year.

Defensively, the Pirates certainly could find better. He is a -1.2 WAR defender. That is certainly not the best number. With his bat playing as productively as it did for most of the year, the Pirates can brush off the sub-par defense. His defense is why I hesitated to go any higher with my grade.

Resign him and play him until someone like Travis Swaggerty comes to the Majors. Gamel could play his way into being a solid trade candidate with another good season like his 2021 campaign was with the Pirates.