šØĀ BREAKING NEWS. MAXIMUM WORLD ALERTā¦ See More ā At 14 years old, this Draft prospect took a gamble that paid off A
The Iowa native left home, venturing, solo, into the real world to pursue his chosen career path.
The Iowa native left home, venturing, solo, into the real world to pursue his chosen career path.
He was 14 years old.
Youāve got to have a pretty strong belief in your abilities as a ballplayer to do what Sean Gamble did a few years back.
It was, well, a gamble.
But his time refining his versatile profile at IMG Academy has him here, on the precipice of a professional career.
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This is what Gamble, an 18-year-old second baseman and center fielder rankedĀ No. 23 on MLB Pipelineās 2025 Draft Prospects list,Ā envisioned for himself when he bid adieu to Des Moines to move to Bradenton, Fla.
āProbably my first week there, I got home sick,ā Gamble saidĀ at the MLB Draft Combine. āOne day, Iām sleeping in my own bed at home, and the next day Iām 2,000 miles away from home, with no friends, no family, in a small dorm. So the reality hit me. But it helped me mature and become independent and helped me become a man. So Iām very thankful for it.ā
Gamble has grown as a person and a player. Heās gained strength, showed control of the zone, a knack for finding the barrel and above-average speed. Heās proven athletic enough to handle big assignments in the middle of the diamond, be it center field or second base. Some scouts think he could play shortstop long-term.
A Vanderbilt commit, Gamble portrays the kind of confidence one must have to take such a bold leap of faith at 14.
āI originally went to IMG for tennis camp [at around 8 years old],ā he said. āBut while I was there, I realized that they had baseball. So I tapped my parents on the shoulder and said, āNext time, Iām coming for baseball camp.ā And I continued to come each summer, and they kept inviting me back, and the opportunity presented itself for me to go there for my freshman year.ā
Having proven himself against elite competition at events like the Area Code Games and USA baseballās 18U National Team Camp, itās safe to say Gamble has made the most of the opportunity.
āI just think Iāve attacked every day,ā he said. āI think Iāve been passionate about my work every single day. I think Iāve become a very good leader and responsible person, on and off the field. Someone that somebody else could trust.ā
In a sport that increasingly values versatility and athleticism, Gambleās skillset ā not unlike that of breakout Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong ā stands out.
As does his assertiveness. When asked what area of his life off the field he would rate an ā80ā ā the top grade on the scouting scale ā Gamble said, āTalking.ā His contact rate is as strong with the eyes as it is with the bat, and heāll tell anybody who will listen that baseball is where he belongs.
āItās just the love of the game,ā he said. āThe teammate aspect, the leadership aspect, the dedication that you have to have to your work to become successful in the game. This is what I want my career to be. Itās what I want to do long-term.ā
And after leaving home at 14, heās ready to move again to take the next step.
āIām definitely prepared,ā he said.
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