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Prospect with huge spikes to fill
Carlos Gomez will get his chance to replace Torii Hunter in center field for the Twins but might have to grow into the job.
By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune
Last update: January 30, 2008 - 11:30 PM

It was in an interleague series at Shea Stadium last June when Mets outfielder Carlos Gomez displayed enough ability to get the attention of Twins players. Attention as in: Who is that kid? "I remember I hit a ball down the left field line and [Gomez] closed on it like he was a wide receiver," said Torii Hunter, who left the Twins for the Angels as a free agent in November. "It was pretty impressive. This guy can fly." Gomez's speed -- he's earned a top rating of eight on the scouting scale -- is the first thing that stands out about the Mets prospect who's about to become a Twins prospect. Or perhaps the replacement for Hunter in center field this season. There's no centerpiece to the deal that will send two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana to the Mets for Gomez and three pitching prospects, but Gomez is the closest thing to it because of his potential. Righthanders Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra are also part of the deal, which will be finalized as soon as all players involved pass physicals and Santana agrees to a contract extension.

But Guerra, reputed to have excellent potential, is 18 years old and has not yet pitched above the Class A level. Humber and Mulvey are projected to be No. 3- through No. 5-caliber starting pitchers, at best.

That leaves Gomez as the most likely player in the deal to make an impact with the Twins in 2008.

"Every lineup there are three of four guys you remember throwing against, and he was one," said Twins righthander Kevin Slowey, who faced Gomez while at Class AA New Britain in 2006. "You knew he could lay down a bunt and there was a chance he could beat it out. Just watching him play, he covers more ground than you think."

The expectations are that the 6-4 Gomez will be more than a speed demon, that he will become a better-than-average hitter and ultimately drive pitches over the fence. Add his strong arm and it makes him a five-tool prospect and a big reason why Gomez, 22, was ranked the Mets' third-best prospect by Baseball America before the deal.

"With that bat speed, he's going to have 20-plus home run power,'' Mets General Manager Omar Minaya told the New York Post in June. "It's just a matter of time."

The Twins have been impressed with Gomez for years: They dangled reliever J.C. Romero at the Mets in 2005 before sending Romero to the Angels for Alexi Casilla.

Gomez spent this offseason playing for Escogido of the Dominican Winter League, hitting .262 in 29 games.

"You have to be patient," Hunter said. "This guy is young and he might take his lumps, Two or three years from now, maybe next year, he's going to do some damage. Give him a chance."

Gomez played in two of the three games during the Mets-Twins series last season, going 1-for-5 with a single -- off Santana, of all people.

"I remember that he could fly and had decent bat speed," Twins third base coach Scott Ullger said. "He looked a little susceptible to the off-speed pitch, the curveball and slider, as most kids are."

That's the biggest question surrounding Gomez. But there's no better example of a player being able to adjust at the plate than Hunter, who spent hours with Ullger, his former hitting coach, learning to recognize breaking balls and hit them.

"Same thing with me," Hunter said. "When I was 17, I didn't know what a slider was."

Gomez has other rough edges to smooth out. Minaya said in the June interview that Gomez runs so fast he sometimes slows down to round bases and needs to learn how to run with rhythm.

Gomez also was scolded by manager Willie Randolph and teammates in June for "styling" after hitting his second career homer.

"When you're a rookie, you have something on your mind, you think this is how you played in the minor leagues," Gomez told the Post. "But you learn you have to give other teams respect, and how to respect other teams, you do the right thing."

Gomez batted .232 in 58 games with two homers and 12 RBI in his debut season. He batted .299 in June but broke the hamate bone in his left hand while checking his swing during a July 4 game and missed two months.

One NL East scout said Gomez's game could mirror that of Toronto outfielder Alex Rios if he can make the required adjustments at the plate.

If Gomez can beat out Denard Span and Jason Pridie for the starting center field spot in spring training, he'll get to make those adjustments as a major leaguer.

"I would think the opportunity is there for him to be our starting center fielder," Ullger said, "He's a very impressive kid with a lot of tools."

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Two views on Gomez
Last update: January 30, 2008 - 9:49 PM

Here's two early scouting reports on Carlos Gomez, acquired by the Twins from the Mets in the Johan Santana deal and the possible Opening Day center fielder:
NL CENTRAL SCOUT

"Gomez has a lot of talent. He has ability. He hasn't hit tremendously, but I would say he has a chance to do some things. He labors with the slider. There are about 400 other guys who have that same problem."
NL WEST SCOUT

"He's never hit for the power you want [to see in a prospect]. He has a chance to be a solid player, with a chance to be an above-average player. He kind of got his feet wet up there [last season], but he wasn't ready to be in the big leagues. There's still some growth that needs to be done with this guy. The ability to hit the major league breaking ball, that's everyone's challenge, and Gomez handled himself pretty well."

LA VELLE E. NEAL III

Quote:

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The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have acquired outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-handed pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra from the New York Mets in exchange for left-handed pitcher Johan Santana.

Gomez, 22, began the season at Triple-A New Orleans and batted .286 (40-for-140) with eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and 13 RBIs in 36 games last season, before being recalled by the Mets on May 13. He batted .232 (29-for-125) with three doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 58 games with New York, before being placed on the disabled list with a fracture of the hook of hamate bone in his left hand. Gomez was originally signed by the Mets as a non-drafted free agent, July 27, 2002. - PRESS RELEASE

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Minnesota Twins need to make the most of Gomez's speed
Pioneer Press
Article Launched: 02/07/2008 12:01:00 AM CST

I'm with all those fans who believe the Twins didn't get nearly enough for Johan Santana.

Instead of stockpiling only prospects, they should have insisted on getting at least one player from the New York Mets who already had proven himself to be successful in the major leagues.

That said, Carlos Gomez is intriguing.

Very intriguing.

Twins general manager Bill Smith says Gomez will battle Jason Pridie and Denard Span for the chance to play center field for the Twins.

If Gomez wins the job and has more than 500 at-bats, he will steal 40 to 50 bases. Even if he doesn't become the starting center fielder, he can steal a slew of bases. He should be kept on the major league roster, even if it means using him primarily as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. (His batting average hasn't been dazzling at any level, and it's probably what would keep him from starting in center for the Twins.)

Last season, in 125 at-bats with the Mets, Gomez had 12 stolen bases despite batting just .232. Extrapolated over 500 at-bats, that's 48 steals.

In 2005, Gomez stole 64 bases in the minors. Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, who had 78 stolen bases last season, has said Gomez is faster than he is.

On a team that will need runs to offset all those young arms, Gomez's speed can provide run-scoring opportunities. With his speed and ability to make it work, Gomez needs to be with the Twins this season.

Bob Sansevere can be reached at bsansevere@pioneerpress.com.

Twins future arrives
Gomez must live up to high expectations
By DAVID DORSEY ddorsey@news-press.com February 26, 2008

An outsider has the inside track on replacing a former franchise fixture in center field for the Minnesota Twins.

Carlos Gomez, 22, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, joined the Twins on Feb. 2 after spending the previous five seasons in the New York Mets system.

The Twins received Gomez and three pitchers in exchange for two-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher Johan Santana.

Gomez, Jason Pridie and Denard Span will compete for the starting job in center field.

Torii Hunter vacated that spot on Thanksgiving Day, when he signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Anaheim Angels.

Weve got three young ones in camp in Pridie, Span and Gomez, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. You cant go wrong when youve got three very talented people.

But when you start comparing them to Torii Hunter, then theyre going to fall short. Theyre going to fall short. Hes the best.

So you cant do that.

The Twins usually promote from within, like when Joe Mauer took over for A.J. Pierzynski at catcher and when Justin Morneau took over for Doug Mientkiewicz at first base in 2004.

But Span and Pridie have yet to appear in a big league game, and the Twins wanted as many options as possible.

Gomez signed with the Mets at the age of 16 in 2002. He rose through the minor league ranks quickly with his calling card of speed: 64 stolen bases in 2005 for Class A Hagerstown; 41 stolen bases in 2006 for Double-A Binghamton and 31 steals last season, including 12 in the big leagues for the Mets.

Gomez hit .232 with two home runs, 12 RBI and the 12 steals in 58 big-league games last season.

Im just going to try to do my job, Gomez said. I think the thing that will help me is my speed. I know Im happy to be here.

Philip Humber, one of the pitchers obtained by the Twins in the Santana trade, compared Gomezs speed to that of another former teammate, Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.

Gomez grew up with Reyes in the Dominican. Reyes stole 78 bases last season.

I put him on par with Jose Reyes, Humber said. Theyre toe-to-toe. On top of that, hes got a great throwing arm. If he can hit just a little bit, hes going to be great.

Also at stake in this job competition could be the leadoff hitters role.

Gomez has hit leadoff for most of his minor league career.

Ive played ball since I was four years old, Gomez said. My dad played baseball. He didnt play professionally. But I saw him play when I was three, four years old.

Gomez said he welcomes the high expectations he faces, especially considering he was traded for a player with Santanas resume.

They traded a big guy, Gomez said. I know I have a chance. I just have to do my job and help my teammates. I know I have competition. But the competition will help us.

The thing about it, is when you play hard, the fans, the media like it. Im going to play hard every day. I want to see what happens.

Gardenhire did not want to get into ranking the players at this stage, but about Gomez, he did say this: Gomez has had a little more time and played a little more, but theyre all young, and theyre all exciting players. Were going to watch and let them play.