Will Carlos Gomez Step Up?
Thu, March 13th, 2008.jpg)
Reports have come out that the competition for the Twins starting center field spot is now only between Carlos Gomez and Denard Span. It makes sense that Jason Pridie is out of the race seeing how Gomez and Span each have 7 starts in center compared to Pridie’s 2. Pridie is being looked at as a possible 4th outfielder and is usually coming into games in all outfield positions as a backup. Gomez and Span have alternated at center in the last 4 games and only Span(not Gomez) is on the trip for todays matchup against so that continues the alternating trend for now.
Here’s a look at their stats so far this spring. Keep in mind these numbers don’t include 2 B games and one rain out that had 4.5 innings in.
HITTING
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | AVG | TPA | NP | XBH | GO | AO | OPS |
| Gomez | 9 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | .167 | .259 | .148 | 30 | 48 | 2 | 14 | 7 | .426 |
| Span | 8 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .435 | .389 | .278 | 24 | 44 | 2 | 12 | 2 | .824 |
FIELDING
| Player | G | GS | INN | TC | PO | A | E | RF | FPCT |
| Gomez | 9 | 8 | 55 | 20 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 3.11 | .95 |
| Span | 8 | 5 | 52 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 3.12 | 1 |
It’s hard to come to any conclusions with a limited number of AB’s but the big thing is that sticks out is the on-base percentage. Span is at a .435 vs Gomez’ .167. In the minors with 1291 at-bats Carlos has a .278 AVG / .339 OBP . / .399 SLG. Denard’s minor league stats show 1939 AB’s with .283 AVG / .350 OBP / .348 SLG. In 125 AB’s with the Mets Carlos had a .232 AVG / .288 OBP / .304 SLG. Gomez obviously has not been able to bring his moderate minor league success into the majors or this year’s spring training with him.
So here’s the deal. Gomez has a huge upside with his speed and athleticism. If the Twins can get him on base with any amount of success his speed and fielding will be fantastic. The Twins want him to win the spot. Span does not show this kind of upside but he can at least get on base at this point. If Carlos can’t figure out how to get on base in any consistent way this spring I don’t see how he can start the season in center for the Twins. Span will have to start the year in center and Carlos will go down to AAA to get things sorted out. And that’s exactly what I think will happen. I don’t think carlos will figure things out at the plate quickly enough, Gomez will go down to AAA and Span will get to start the year at CF. I don’t think Pridie will make the 25 man roster, Monroe will get that spot with Kubel at DH.
