Sean Gamble Stats & Scouting Report

AB	180
AVG	.150
OBP	.261
SLG	.222
HR	2

Full name Sean Gamble
Born 07/06/2006 in Des Moines, IA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 188 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School IMG Academy
Drafted in the 1st round (23rd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2025 (signed for $3,997,500).

View Draft Report

School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Drafted/Committed: Vanderbilt
Age At Draft: 19.0

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Gamble is an Iowa native who played his high school ball at powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He’s a 6-foot-2, 185-pound lefthanded hitter who has a mix of high-end tools, athleticism and upside. Gamble has loud bat speed and early in his prep career would swing with intent and explosion that led to impressive impact but also came with plenty of swing-and-miss tendencies. He added a lot more polish, efficiency and control to his swing during the 2024 summer showcase circuit and was one of the more impressive performers in the class. Gamble’s swing can still get a bit long at times and he will need to continue refining his approach, but he has a chance to hit for solid average and power. He’s an easy plus runner who gets out of the box quickly and should be a consistent basestealing threat. Gamble has a number of potential defensive landing spots. He primarily played second base as a senior with IMG Academy but has the arm strength for the left side of the infield. Gamble has workmanlike actions in the infield and will need to improve his arm versatility to stick there. He also has plenty of exposure in the outfield, and there are plenty of scouts who think he looks more natural as a center fielder. His longer arm action plays better on the grass, and he also has more than enough speed and natural athleticism to become an above-average defender. Gamble is a Vanderbilt commit and top-two-rounds talent.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run:60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Gamble and fellow top pick Josh Hammond epitomize the Royals’ emphasis on athleticism in their 2025 draft class. Kansas City drafted Gamble 23rd overall and bought him out of a Vanderbilt commitment for $3,997,500. He primarily played second base at IMG Academy, his final high school stop, but saw more time in the outfield during the 2024 summer showcase season. Gamble spent the remainder of his draft summer playing in unofficial bridge league games and then instructional league at the Royals’ complex in Arizona.

Scouting Report: A lefthanded hitter with an intriguing mix of high-end tools, Gamble’s bat speed and athleticism grab evaluators’ attention. As an underclassman, he’d swing with intent and explosion that led to plenty of impact—but also plenty of whiffs. Gamble’s plan of attack evolved as he matured, and he showed a much more polished swing on the 2024 summer showcase circuit. It’s now much more compact, efficient and direct, with average bat speed and a quiet rhythm. Gamble’s approach was much more passive in his initial exposure at the Royals’ complex after the draft. He’s an easy plus runner who gets out of the box quickly and should be a consistent basestealing threat. Gamble spent time at both second base and outfield during his time at the complex. His plus speed and above-average arm are a better fit for center field, though the Royals haven’t made a decision on his long-term defensive home. Gamble has advanced baseball instincts and acumen, and he earns high marks for his competitive nature.

The Future: Gamble turned 19 just before the draft, so he’s age-appropriate for a full-season debut in 2026. He’s ticketed to make his debut with Low-A Columbia alongside Hammond. While there’s still plenty of development ahead, Gamble’s tools and athleticism give him a head start.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

Draft Prospects

School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Drafted/Committed: Vanderbilt
Age At Draft: 19.0

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

Gamble is an Iowa native who played his high school ball at powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He’s a 6-foot-2, 185-pound lefthanded hitter who has a mix of high-end tools, athleticism and upside. Gamble has loud bat speed and early in his prep career would swing with intent and explosion that led to impressive impact but also came with plenty of swing-and-miss tendencies. He added a lot more polish, efficiency and control to his swing during the 2024 summer showcase circuit and was one of the more impressive performers in the class. Gamble’s swing can still get a bit long at times and he will need to continue refining his approach, but he has a chance to hit for solid average and power. He’s an easy plus runner who gets out of the box quickly and should be a consistent basestealing threat. Gamble has a number of potential defensive landing spots. He primarily played second base as a senior with IMG Academy but has the arm strength for the left side of the infield. Gamble has workmanlike actions in the infield and will need to improve his arm versatility to stick there. He also has plenty of exposure in the outfield, and there are plenty of scouts who think he looks more natural as a center fielder. His longer arm action plays better on the grass, and he also has more than enough speed and natural athleticism to become an above-average defender. Gamble is a Vanderbilt commit and top-two-rounds talent.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run:60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.
School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Committed: Vanderbilt
Age At Draft: 19.0
An Iowa native at powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., Gamble has shown a mix of high-end tools, athleticism and upside. As an underclassman, Gamble showed an aggressive, explosive swing to produce big bat speed from the left side. That swing would get big at times, but in 2024 his swing has looked more efficient and under control, showing the ability to drive the ball for extra-base damage to all fields. He’s a plus runner as well, giving him a chance to become a power-speed threat if everything clicks. With a quick first step and a strong arm, Gamble has experience both in the infield and the outfield, potentially fitting at second or third base in the infield or center field in the outfield.