Gomes oozes tools. He signed with Japan's Fukuoka Daiei Hawks as a 16-year-old righthander with a live arm. He spent three years in Fukuoka's minor league system until he blew out his elbow and had Tommy John surgery. After he was released he returned to Brazil and became an outfielder. Like countryman Paulo Orlando, Gomes was a star sprinter in Brazil, but it was his bat potential that sold White Sox international scout Ray Poitevint, who signed him for the equivalent of third-round money. Chicago farm director Dave Wilder compares Gomes to Alfonso Soriano when the Yankees signed Soriano out of the Japanese minor leagues. Though Gomes made the Futures Game in his U.S. debut, it was mostly a disappointment. He wasn't able to handle high Class A and didn't improve much after a demotion. Though the ball jumps off Gomes' bat, he had difficulty making consistent contact. He has plus speed but lacks baserunning and basestealing instincts. He did look good defensively, with enough range for center field and enough arm for right. The White Sox will be patient with Gomes, who will get another shot at the Carolina League in 2007. Chicago has few players with higher ceilings or longer odds of reaching them.
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone