Alexis Gomez
| AB | 158 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .259 |
| OBP | .308 |
| SLG | .342 |
| HR | 1 |
- Full name Alexis DeJesus Gomez
- Born 08/08/1978 in Loma De Cabrera, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Liceo General Jose Cabrera
- Debut 06/16/2002
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Gomez is an excellent athlete who played on the Dominican Republic's junior national volleyball team, but he has yet to translate his plus tools into baseball success and doesn't show great instincts in any phase of the game. He looks great in a uniform, but the Royals are still waiting for the light to come on for him. His status wasn't helped when it was revealed last spring that Gomez was two years older than previously thought. He has above-average range in center or right field, plus one of the better outfield arms in the system. Plate discipline and pitch recognition are his biggest downfalls. He strikes out too much, struggles against fastballs on the inner half and doesn't make in-game adjustments. His walk rate plummeted in his first exposure to Triple-A and he stopped using his plus speed to steal bases. Gomez has solid power, but often gets homer-happy and lets his swing get too long. He'd be better off shortening his stroke down and becoming a gap-to-gap hitter who makes use of his wheels. Gomez has one option left, and looks to be headed back to Triple-A for what might be his last chance. He profiles as a fourth outfielder at best. -
An outstanding athlete, Gomez was a volleyball star in the Dominican Republic. He resembles a more slender Carlos Beltran with similar tools, albeit less raw power. Gomez was hitting .402 in late May in Double-A until he came down with chicken pox and missed two weeks. He had his best offensive season because he learned to use the whole field, shortened his stroke and worked deeper counts. He handled breaking balls, which had been a bugaboo. Gomez generates plenty of bat speed and hit more homers than he had in his entire career. He has plus speed and slightly above-average arm strength. Gomez can steal bases, but needs to improve his jumps. He was caught stealing on 40 percent of his attempts in 2002. His athleticism allows him to track down balls in center field, but he can be erratic because he doesn't have great instincts. Gomez is rough around the edges, but he has improved every year and should continue to do so in Triple-A in 2003. -
Sometimes compared to Willie Wilson and Carlos Beltran, Gomez is the best of a group of young Royals outfield prospects straining to translate their physical tools into baseball skills. A former member of the Dominican junior national volleyball team, Gomez is unquestionably loaded with athleticism. He can run the 60-yard dash in 6.5-6.6 seconds, put on a power display in batting practice and has arm strength. He started to hit for average in 2001, which was a positive sign, but he still has plenty of work to do. He must get stronger so he can produce more extra-base hits. He also must tighten his strike zone so he won't be exploited by better pitchers and must learn the art of basestealing to make better use of his speed. He must get better jumps in center field. Gomez will work on those areas of his game in the upper minors this year. -
The Royals have never had a Dominican all-star. Big league second baseman Carlos Febles has a chance to be their first, and Gomez is their next best hope. He ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and No. 7 in the Carolina League the last two years. Gomez is the best all-around athlete in the system. He's a center fielder who can run (6.5-6.6 seconds in the 60-yard dash) and throw, and he can put on a power display in batting practice. He also exhibits a strong work ethic. Gomez has tools but not skills, however. He lacks strength or plate discipline, which makes him a weak hitter. Especially troubling is the way he still buckles against breaking pitches from lefthanders after four years as a pro. He batted .237 and slugged .255 against southpaws in 2000. He lacks basestealing instincts and doesn't make good reads in the outfield. The Royals hustled Gomez to high Class A at age 19 because of his tools. They need to send him back there in 2001 so he can develop his baseball aptitude.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Gomez was a clear choice as the most athletic player in the league this year, and one manager said he was the best position player prospect, period. A former standout volleyball player in the Dominican Republic, Gomez' tools create that kind of excitement, but he still has work to do to get the most out of them. He has the skills to be a five-tool player, with tremendous bat speed and above-average running speed. He already uses the whole field at the plate. He's average in center field now but has the instincts and arm to get better. Gomez is aggressive in everything he does, which is a blessing and a curse at this point. Aside from his 36 steals this season, he was caught 24 times, indicating that he needs to channel his energy better. He can get out of control at times, and his swing can get long. "His tools are always in use, but not always at the level they should be," one manager said. "If he can harness his total game, he can be an impact player." -
Gomez signed with the Royals when he was 16. After playing two seasons in his native Dominican Republic and one year of Rookie ball, he showed tremendous maturity and skill level in a veteran league that’s often a challenge even for players with college experience. One of the youngest players in the CL, Gomez excelled as the Blue Rocks’ center fielder. His speed enabled him to cover a lot of ground and he was a catalyst out of the leadoff spot. He’s a lefthanded hitter with size and speed. "He's still learning the game but he has five-tool potential," Garber said. "He has the potential to be another Carlos Beltran." That’s high praise. Beltran, a former Blue Rock, was the 1999 American League rookie of the year. "To go from the Gulf Coast League to this league is a huge jump, but he showed he could handle it," Lynchburg manager Tracy Woodson said. "He's the best position player prospect in the league." -
A tall, lanky natural center fielder and lefthanded hitter, Gomez has excellent tools in all phases, particularly speed. "He plays hard and is very mature for his age," Royals manager Andre David said. "Even though this was his first year in the United States, he could easily have played at a higher level."
Best Tools List
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the Texas League in 2002
Scouting Reports
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Gomez signed with the Royals when he was 16. After playing two seasons in his native Dominican Republic and one year of Rookie ball, he showed tremendous maturity and skill level in a veteran league that’s often a challenge even for players with college experience. One of the youngest players in the CL, Gomez excelled as the Blue Rocks’ center fielder. His speed enabled him to cover a lot of ground and he was a catalyst out of the leadoff spot. He’s a lefthanded hitter with size and speed. "He's still learning the game but he has five-tool potential," Garber said. "He has the potential to be another Carlos Beltran." That’s high praise. Beltran, a former Blue Rock, was the 1999 American League rookie of the year. "To go from the Gulf Coast League to this league is a huge jump, but he showed he could handle it," Lynchburg manager Tracy Woodson said. "He's the best position player prospect in the league."
