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.

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