Rays 2016 Top 50 Prospects: Number 44, Moises Gomez

Rays Top 50 Prospects includes a tremendous number of high-quality prospects. We at RCG are bringing you an in-depth look at those we consider to be the Top 50.

While gathering as much information as possible from various sources, we’re going to put it all together for your enjoyment and raise the bar on what you expect from a prospect knowledgable site. Stay tuned, check-in often, and please let us know how we’re doing.

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Being such a lengthy process, some encouragement will go a very long way. We hope you’ll enjoy reading this series as much as we enjoy putting it together. If anything, all of us will know that much more about the quality of the Rays system.

The rankings will be based on all aspects of each prospect, but will focus first on how likely the player is to make an impact in MLB, and ceiling next. Mikie Mahtook and Enny Romero have been graduated to the majors and will not be included in these rankings.

Once completed, the Top 50 will be updated mid-season with an explanation to why they’re moving up or down, and the entire process will be repeated each season.

The next player to be examined in detail is …

#44: Moises Gomez, OF, 17 years old

• Bats: Right Ht/Wt: 5’11” 195 lbs
• Signed: as an international free agent
• 2015 Affiliate: VSL Rays
• Anticipated MLB Arrival: 2021+

Gomez’ Stats

Gomez’ Fielding Stats

Gomez’ 2015 Splits

Player Facts

• Maintained an outstanding 0.82 BB/K ratio
• Walked at 11.1% rate, struck out at 13.5% rate despite being one of youngest in VSL
• His ISO was rated at .178, wOBA of .420, wRC+ of 153
• Walked more often than he struck out in July and August (18 to 17)
• Was most effective with 2 outs and RISP, hitting .424/.500/.727

Best Tools & Abilities

• Plate Discipline
• Power projection
• Good defensive abilities

Our Thoughts

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There are a trio of international free agents that all Rays fans should know of and be excited about.

The first one was already covered in Angel Moreno who slotted in at number 33 on our list, mostly since he’s been tested at a higher level than Gomez.

The other is Jesus Sanchez who made it onto our top 30. But of all three, the best hitting ability may belong to Gomez who has lightning quick bat speed and tremendous hand-eye coordination.

Gomez was the youngest player on the VSL Rays by at least a year and finished tied for 2nd in HR, 2nd in Runs, 3rd in RBI, 5th in wRC+ and wOBA, and 6th in ISO.

However, what impresses most about Gomez is the patience he shows at the plate.At 16 years old, you would never expect something like a 0.82 BB/K rate, particularly while playing in the VSL where hitters are normally more impatient at the plate.

To put that into perspective, it’s the same BB/K rate that Miguel Sano managed at 17 years old.Sano only wound up getting 80 PA and was promoted to the GCL mid-season, but if Gomez was older, he may have received the same promotion.

In no way am I saying Gomez is the next Sano. If I was saying that, he’d be much higher in these rankings. But what it does point to is how outstanding a season Gomez had, and that he should be considered one of the best OF prospects the Rays have in the lower parts of the minors.

Expectations

It’s always hard to quantify what happens in the VSL and to imagine how it may translate over to ball in the U.S. However, judging from how well the 2015 season went for Gomez, there’s a very good chance the Rays will attempt to be aggressive with his progression, as they were with Angel Moreno by having him play in Hudson Valley (SS) at 18 years old.

Although he just turned 17, the Rays could have Gomez begin the season in the GCL and get him acclimated to ball on U.S. soil quickly. The fact that he progressed so quickly and decisively in 2015 should have gotten the right people’s attention, and he surely put himself on the map as one of the more prominent international prospect fielders the Rays have had in a while.

Conclusion

As previously mentioned, the Rays have some intriguing international prospects in the outfield and Gomez seems to have a lot of potential. Moving that forward is going to demand a lot out of him, so how he handles the pressure will determine how quickly and effectively he progresses through the system.

Next: Rays 2016 Top 50 Prospects: Number 13, Taylor Motter

It remains to be seen whether Gomez will have the speed and range to play CF, but his bat should be good enough to handle both LF and RF. It seems unlikely that he’d be a fit in RF with his body type, but he’s still a growing guy so you never know.