The Padres signed Moisés Gómez to a minor league contract last month, as reported by the MLB.com transaction log. The 26-year-old outfielder, who plays in the corners, was released by the Cardinals after being outrighted last season.
Gómez is aiming to reach the major leagues for the first time. His path seemed promising after hitting 39 home runs in the minors in 2022, earning him a spot on the St. Louis 40-man roster. However, in 2023, Gómez spent the whole season at Triple-A, hitting 30 more home runs but struggling with a .232 batting average and a .293 on-base percentage. This performance was not enough to earn a spot on the MLB roster, leading to his outright release by the Cardinals in February.
He began 2024 at Triple-A once again, but his struggles continued. He posted a .208 batting average and only hit three home runs in 45 games before being released. Gómez finished the season playing in the independent American Association and has performed well in winter ball in Venezuela, with a .273/.396/.613 line and 15 home runs in 48 games.
San Diego will provide him with a chance to bounce back after a tough couple of years. Gómez has demonstrated impressive power, hitting 127 home runs in nine minor league seasons with Tampa Bay and St. Louis, including 49 homers in fewer than 1,000 Triple-A plate appearances. However, he has struggled at that level, posting a .236/.303/.452 line and striking out nearly a third of the time.
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