After hanging up catching gear, this Yankees prospect now throws 100 mph(!!) off the mound
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Once a top catching prospect bound for the Bronx, Antonio Gomez might just get there from the mound now.
The 24-year-old right-hander, who signed with New York as an international free agent in July 2018, ranked as high as No. 19 on the Yankees' Top 30 list ahead of the 2022 season. Gomez transitioned to the mound last June while at Double-A Somerset, when he was put on the Developmental List to begin a throwing progression.
The Venezuelan hurler re-signed with the Yankees in November after his first professional contract came to an end, but started this season on the 60-day injured list. The former catcher received a 70 grade for his arm, which has helped ease him into the position transition.
Gomez came out firing in his season debut on Saturday at BayCare Ballpark. The righty tossed a scoreless inning of relief for Single-A Tampa in a 4-2 victory over Clearwater.
In the seventh frame, Gomez relieved starter Justin West. The righty kicked things off with a 99.6 mph four-seam fastball on the inner half to the right-handed-hitting Will Gasparino, who fouled it off.
Gomez pumped two more heaters and caught the Phillies' 2026 fifth-rounder swinging for his first strikeout of the season. He then fanned Matt Quintanar on three pitches, putting him within three strikes of an immaculate inning, but Matthew Ferrara (PHI No. 23) won a seven-pitch battle with a line-drive single.
Cade Climie ended the inning with a flyout on the second pitch of his at-bat, giving Gomez a clean debut on 15 pitches, 11 strikes. Gomez averaged 99.9 mph on his four-seam fastball and 88.6 mph on his cutter, which generated one of his four swings-and-misses. He touched or eclipsed 100 mph five times.
In comparison to Major League pitchers, Gomez combined his average heater velocity with 17.8 inches of vertical movement. The unique combination is similar to that of Robert Suarez or Bubba Chandler, but Gomez's fastball averaged more velocity.
Gomez signed with the Yankees for $600,000 over eight years ago. He made his pitching debut on July 29, 2025, striking out one while giving up two runs in two-thirds of an inning. He surrendered six runs across 2 2/3 frames over four more appearances to close out the season.
Before moving off catcher, Gomez slashed .140/.225/.168 over 35 games at Double-A.