Baseball Opinion - This just in.....Gomez is Fast!

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This just in.....Gomez is Fast!

Christopher Solberg, Editor
3/31/2008

Amongst the number opening day games that I watched, the Minnesota Twins vs. the LA Angels was probably the most intriguing. But that was due to one player, Carlos Gomez. This speedy rookie centerfielder was one of the main prospects the Twins got from the New York Mets in the Johan Santana trade this past off-season. Actually, speedy is a poor adjective, this kid can flat out fly.

Leading off, Gomez ripped a liner down the third-base line and into the outfield corner. He sped around the bases for an easy double, almost trying to get to third. If the ground ball had been down the first-base line, he would have had an easy triple.

In his second at-bat he laid down a bunt to get to first, sliding into first base. Although sliding into first base isn’t something that I am behind, the speed that the right-handed hitter got down the line was something to watch. He then promptly stole second base.

His third time up, Gomez walked and stole second base again. In fact, two other players stole bases off of the Jered Weaver / Mike Napoli setup. In all fairness though to Napoli, the base runners were getting off to a head start on Weavers long windup. Gomez was halfway to second base on one of his steals before the pitch even crossed the plate.

As he was creating havoc by over-rounding the bases, I was reminded of another speedster, Rafael Furcal. When he first came up with the Atlanta Braves, he would often take a long turn around first, sometimes drawing a hurried throw and possibly an extra base on an error.

On the night, Gomez was 2 for 3 with two stolen bases and he had scored two of the Twins’ three runs. It was a really good night, but the fact that he actually drew a walk is what probably really excited his coaches. Carlos has not been well known for his plate discipline.

Although I still believe that he needs at least another six months in the minors, and that he will hit somewhere close to the .260, with an on-base percentage around .300 this year, he did impress me. If the Twins have made a miraculous impact on him in plate discipline, he could be a sleeper for the AL Rookie of the Year award.

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