Newly signed outfielder Moises Gomez, who has slugged 14 homers this winter, is an interesting player to monitor in the spring.

The San Diego Padres are looking for value on the free agent market.

Instead of investing tens of millions of dollars per season in a known commodity, the team looks to give opportunities to young players.

Another minor league free agent was rostered this week as Moises Gomez was signed by the team and will surely compete this spring for playing time. Gomez is 26 and will join Oscar Gonzalez and Yonathan Perlaza in competing for a roster spot for the 40-man. If not, they all will provide excellent depth at the Triple-A level.

Jurickson Profar has still not signed and is reportedly looking for a three-year deal in the $30 million range. That seems out of the question for the Padres, so this trio of journeyman outfielders may even earn an opportunity to be the starting left fielder on opening day. There is a long road before that happens, but with a torrid spring, each man is capable of earning the job.

More on Gomez, who comes to the Padres with tremendous right-handed power.

This winter, Gomez owns 14 home runs in 43 games for the Bravos de Margarita in the Venezuelan winter leagues. He’s walked 27 times in 133 at-bats, producing a 1.029 OPS. The native of Venezuela spent nine minor league seasons between two organizations. The Rays signed Gomez on the international market in 2015 as a 16-year-old. Despite the power potential, Tampa released him after the 2021 season as he failed to make it past High-A ball in five seasons.

His poor walk rate was a huge concern, but the St. Louis Cardinals signed the slugger and promptly assigned him to Double-A. Gomez went off for St. Louis, producing a .996 OPS and slugging 39 homers between the Double-A and Triple-A levels that season. He ended the 2022 season as a valued prospect for the Cardinals at the age of 23. The future looked bright.

The 2023 season saw Gomez’s numbers dip in Triple-A. He spent the entire year with Memphis, producing a .750 OPS in 131 games. The power was still there as the right-handed hitter smacked 30 homers, but he struck out 180 times and only managed 39 walks in 514 at-bats. The 2024 season is where the wheels fell off for this talented outfielder. He put up a .583 OPS and struck out 55 times in his first 144 at-bats in Triple-A. St. Louis had seen enough. He was released.

Moises Gomez looked to be done with professional baseball, but his numbers this winter dictate a chance to make it to the majors finally.

Being that he is only 26, it is natural to be curious if he can finally adjust and make the proper mechanical amendments to his swing. He should never be more motivated to absorb the game and reach his potential. It is now or never for this young man.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.