π¨ BREAKING NEWS. MAXIMUM WORLD ALERTβ¦ See More β 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.
Youβve 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.
More on the Draft Combine:
This is what Gamble, an 18-year-old second baseman and center fielder rankedΒ No. 23 on MLB Pipelineβs 2025 Draft Prospects list,Β envisioned for himself when he bid adieu to Des Moines to move to Bradenton, Fla.
βProbably my first week there, I got home sick,β Gamble saidΒ at the MLB Draft Combine. βOne day, Iβm sleeping in my own bed at home, and the next day Iβm 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 Iβm very thankful for it.β
Gamble has grown as a person and a player. Heβs gained strength, showed control of the zone, a knack for finding the barrel and above-average speed. Heβs 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.
βI originally went to IMG for tennis camp [at around 8 years old],β he said. βBut while I was there, I realized that they had baseball. So I tapped my parents on the shoulder and said, βNext time, Iβm coming for baseball camp.β 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.β
Having proven himself against elite competition at events like the Area Code Games and USA baseballβs 18U National Team Camp, itβs safe to say Gamble has made the most of the opportunity.
βI just think Iβve attacked every day,β he said. βI think Iβve been passionate about my work every single day. I think Iβve become a very good leader and responsible person, on and off the field. Someone that somebody else could trust.β
In a sport that increasingly values versatility and athleticism, Gambleβs skillset β not unlike that of breakout Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong β stands out.
As does his assertiveness. When asked what area of his life off the field he would rate an β80β β the top grade on the scouting scale β Gamble said, βTalking.β His contact rate is as strong with the eyes as it is with the bat, and heβll tell anybody who will listen that baseball is where he belongs.
βItβs just the love of the game,β he said. βThe 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. Itβs what I want to do long-term.β
And after leaving home at 14, heβs ready to move again to take the next step.
βIβm definitely prepared,β he said.
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