Mariano Gomez

Mariano Javier Gomez

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 6", Weight 190-240 lb.

• Born September 12, 1982 in San Pedro Sula Honduras

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Mariano Gomez, as of July 2009, has a shot at being the second major leaguer from Honduras, following Gerald Young. Gomez is a cousin of Orlando Castro and is the father of Mariano Gómez Jr.

Gomez was originally signed by scout Les Pajari for the Cleveland Indians in July 1999. For the 2000 Burlington Indians, he had a rough pro debut, going 0-5 with a 4.31 ERA and allowing a .340 opponent average. He split 2001 between Burlington (2-8, 6.07, .288 average) and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (1-0, 3 R in 5 IP). He led the Appalachian League in runs allowed (47) and earned runs allowed (40) and tied for the lead in losses.

The left-hander made major strides in 2002. Assigned to the Columbus RedStixx, he turned in a 8-2, 2.75 record with one save. He would have been 9th in the South Atlantic League in ERA had he qualified. The tall left-hander turned in a solid season with the 2003 Kinston Indians, going 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 18 starts but was sidelined in late July with left wrist tendonitis, ending his campaign.

Nagged by a partial torn ligament in his finger, Gomez only pitched 8 games in 2004, tossing two shutout innings for Mahoning Valley and going 0-1 with a 5.31 ERA for the Akron Aeros.

Mariano returned to action in 2005. Out of the bullpen mostly, he pitched 17 games for the 2005 Kinston Indians (2-1, Sv, 2.83) and 18 for Akron (4-3, 6.30). His season ended early due to a torn ACL in his left knee, his third injury in three years. He had surgery and would miss the early part of 2006. Gomez split 2006 between Kinston (2-3, 3.86) and Akron (8 R, 14 H in 7 1/3 IP).

In 2007, Gomez was healthy for a full season for the first time in four years. He had a 3-3 record for Akron, with two saves and a 4.05 ERA. He allowed 54 hits in 66 2/3 innings and was Akron's most-used reliever, edging out Randy Newsom 48 games to 46. That winter, he was 1-3 with a 3.66 ERA for the Aguilas del Zulia.

The veteran left-hander signed with the Minnesota Twins chain for 2008. He made it to AAA that season with the Rochester Red Wings, turning in a good campaign. He went 5-2 with a save and a 2.76 ERA in 54 games. He led the club in appearances and was second to Anthony Swarzak in ERA.

For 2009, Gomez signed with the Atlanta Braves. He had a 2.22 ERA after his first 31 games for their Gwinnett Braves affiliate.

Sources

• 2009 Braves Media Guide
• 2001-2009 Baseball Almanacs
• 7/19/09 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette