The New York Yankees keep trying out young arms and position players for the future.
They are no longer in postseason contention, which gives them a chance to try out several prospects and young players with 2024 (and the future) in mind.
This is, in part, why players such as Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells made their MLB debuts: to take a long look at them.
You can go ahead and add Yoendrys Gomez, a right-handed pitcher, to the list.
Gomez was recently called up directly from Double-A Somerset, something the Yankees don’t usually do.
He made his MLB debut on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and it was an impressive showing of power pitching.
“#Yankees RHP Yoendrys Gomez in his @MLB debut: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP,” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted.
#Yankees RHP Yoendrys Gomez in his @MLB debut:
2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) September 29, 2023
Gomez’s control is acceptable, but it’s not his strongest attribute.
That certainly has been the case in Double-A this season, since he has an elevated 5.10 walks per nine innings in 65.1 frames.
Other than that, he has been fantastic in Somerset, with a 3.58 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 19 starts.
Stuff-wise, the reports are positive, as MLB Pipeline (which ranks him as the Yanks’ 26th prospect) states:
“Gómez spins the ball exceptionally well, creating quality carry on a fastball that ranged from 92-96 mph last year and has touched 98 in the past. His feel for spin extends to his breaking pitches, a sweeping 82-85 mph slider that grades as plus at its best and a 79-82 mph curveball that can be a solid offering. His upper-80s changeup has some fade but needs more velocity separation from his heater.”
Injuries have limited his workload over the years, so there are questions about whether he can remain a starter going forward.
Even if that’s not the case, Gomez should remain a valuable multi-inning reliever at worst.
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