Before the season started, there was a split between the experts whether Gary Sanchez or Mason Williams was the top prospect in the system. It was my opinion that Sanchez was, but not by a wide margin. Both of them brought attributes to the table that had you thinking they could be stars someday.
Williams started the season with well, compiling a .380 OBP in 23 April games, but slumped in May (.556 OPS). After a strong June and solid July, he has slumped in August (9-for-53, 1 XBH). Overall, he compiled a .261/.327/.350 line in 405 at-bats with 15 steals in 24 attempts.
The scouting reports on Williams typically offer up one big question: Is there future home run power in his bat? Williams is not a big kid (listed at 6'0", 150), so generating power may be a real issue. However, given that he is a left-handed hitter who would be playing half of his games in a ballpark friendly to left-handed hitting, that would likely boost his home run totals. Most scouts seem to put his potential in the 15 home run range; others think he has the ability for more.
Williams comes with a good defensive reputation - though scouts do sometimes disagree on how good. One thing they call can agree on is that Williams is quite fast, and can likely make up for mistakes in the outfield by simply running down the ball.
A few questions have been raised about his overall attitude. From a personal standpoint, that doesn't really bother me much at this time. People mature as they get older, and I just have to hope that Williams does too.
Williams' 2012 season (.298/.346/.474 with 22 doubles and 11 home runs) came to an end early due to a torn labrum in his shoulder. Obviously, if he was a pitcher, this could have ended his career. But he is an outfielder, and the injury was to his non-throwing shoulder. This shouldn't be much of a concern going forward.
All in all, I wouldn't say he necessarily "earned" this promotion through his overall season, but it is still a justifiable promotion. Slade Heathcott's injury probably forced their hand.
As for Gamel, he has flown under the radar in his minor league career. A 21-year old outfielder, Gamel has been impressive in Tampa, compiling a .272/.351/.396 slash with 21 steals in 26 attempts. In 2012, he had 30 XBH in 110 games for Low-A Charleston; in 2013, he has increased his rate, with 35 XBH in 95 games. Most of the increases have been seen in the doubles category (his three home runs this year represent a career high), and whether or not he can convert some of those extra doubles into home runs will likely determine just what kind of prospect he ultimately is. He does have the ability to play center field, which increases his potential value.
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