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Brandon Gomes
Brandon Gomes
Brandon Gomes
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Brandon Paul Gomes[1] (born July 15, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current baseball executive. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2011 to 2015. After his playing career ended, Gomes joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as a pitching coordinator. He was successively promoted to director of player development in 2017, an assistant general manager in 2019, and general manager in 2022.

Key Information

Amateur career

[edit]

Born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, Gomes attended Durfee High School. At Durfee, Gomes pitched and also played shortstop, hitting .425 with 14 home runs and 83 RBIs while also compiling a record of 19–5 with a 1.66 ERA and 287 strikeouts. Gomes, who was also a member of the National Honor Society, was Massachusetts High School Gatorade Player of the Year and also won All-State honors twice. After high school, Gomes attended Tulane University. After having a successful freshman season, Gomes had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore year, receiving a medical redshirt. As a redshirt sophomore, Gomes continued to work out of both the bullpen and starting rotation, but later became a full-time starter as a junior. As a senior, Gomes improved, going 7–6 with a 3.92 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 96.1 innings. In 2003 and 2006, Gomes played for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League, going 2–2 with a 3.62 ERA for the team in 2006.[2][3][4]

Professional playing career

[edit]

San Diego Padres

[edit]
Gomes pitching for Lake Elsinore in 2008.

Gomes was selected by the San Diego Padres in the seventeenth round (537th overall) of the 2007 MLB draft out of Tulane.[5] He began his professional career that year by pitching in 18 games, 11 as a starter, with a 4.23 ERA for the Eugene Emeralds and the Fort Wayne Wizards in the Padres farm system.[6] He moved to the bullpen in 2008 with Fort Wayne and was promoted to the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Advanced–A California League on July 11.[7] Between the two levels, he had a 6–3 record, 3.30 ERA and 81 strikeouts.[6]

In 2009, Gomes was assigned to the Double–A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League.[7] He was 4–1 with a 2.63 EFA in 65 games with 100 strikeouts, the top total in all of minor league baseball.[6][8] After playing for the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League,[6] he returned to San Antonio for the 2010 season, compiling a 7–2 record, 1.87 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 51 games.[6] The Padres added him to their 40-man roster on November 18 to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.[7]

Tampa Bay Rays

[edit]

In December 2010 Gomes was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos and Cole Figueroa in exchange for Jason Bartlett and a player to be named later.[9] He was assigned to the Triple–A Durham Bulls to begin the 2011 season and pitched in 20 games for them, with a 1.42 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 25+1⁄3 innings with seven saves.[6]

Gomes was called up to the Rays and made his major league debut on May 3, 2011, pitching two scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing only one walk.[10][11] He recorded his first major league strikeout in his third appearance, on May 7, against Derrek Lee of the Baltimore Orioles.[12] On the season, he appeared in 40 games, with a 2–1 record, 2.92 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 37 innings.[1]

In 2012, Gomes spent most of the season back with Durham, pitching 55+1⁄3 innings over 40 games with a 3.09 ERA and 73 strikeouts.[6] He pitched in 15 games in the majors, allowing 10 earned runs in 17+2⁄3 innings.[1] On June 24, in the second game of a doubleheader, he became just the third American League pitcher to draw a bases-loaded walk since the designated hitter rule came into effect in 1973.[7] In 2013 he was sidelines from May through mid-August because of a right lat strain[7] and pitched 19+1⁄3 innings over 26 games with a 6.52 ERA.[1] He used his time while rehabbing that year to observe the scouting department and how they prepared for the draft, which would be helpful for him later in his career.[13]

Gomes split 2014 between Durham and the Rays, with 27 games and a 3.62 ERA in the minors[6] and 29 games and a 3.71 ERA in the majors.[1] He was designated for assignment by the Rays on December 19, but cleared waivers and was sent outright to Durham on December 23.[14] Gomes was added back to the Rays roster on April 19, 2015 after they released former closer Grant Balfour[15] and he pitched in 63 games for them with a 2–7 record and 4.27 ERA.[1][16] He was again designated for assignment on November 20[17] He elected to become a free agent rather than accept another outright to the minors.[18]

Chicago Cubs

[edit]

On December 23, 2015, Gomes signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[19] He made 19 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in 2016, logging a 1-2 record and 3.97 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 22+2⁄3 innings pitched.[6] Gomes was released by the Cubs organization on June 4, 2016.[20]

Pitching style

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Gomes threw three pitches: a four-seam fastball (90-92 mph), a curveball (78-82), and a splitter (81-86). The curveball was primarily used against right-handed hitters, while left-handed hitters saw more of the splitter.[21]

Baseball executive

[edit]
Brandon Gomes at the Los Angeles Dodgers parade, 2025

After his release from the Cubs, Gomes reached out to Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, who had signed him with the Rays, and inquired about a job.[13] Friedman hired him as a pitching coordinator.[22] On December 1, 2017, he was promoted to director of player development, replacing Gabe Kapler, who left to manage the Philadelphia Phillies.[23]

Gomes was promoted to vice president and assistant general manager on March 17, 2019[24] and then, on January 18, 2022, to the position of general manager.[25][26] Gomes cited his experience as an average player subject to several transactions throughout his career as instrumental to increasing his interest about the work of baseball executives.[13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brandon Gomes

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brandon Gomes (born July 15, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current baseball executive serving as the executive vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, Gomes graduated from Durfee High School and went on to play college baseball at Tulane University from 2003 to 2007, appearing in 72 games and compiling a 24-15 record with a 4.62 ERA over 351 innings pitched. Gomes began his professional career after being selected by the Padres in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of Tulane. He spent four seasons in the Padres' minor league system as a before transitioning to roles, posting a combined 3.30 across and Double-A levels in 2009 and 2010. In December 2010, he signed a minor league contract with the , making his major league debut on May 3, 2011. Over his five MLB seasons with the Rays from 2011 to 2015, Gomes appeared exclusively as a reliever in 173 games, recording 11 wins, 12 losses, a 4.31 , 147 strikeouts, and one save in 169.1 . After his final MLB appearance in 2015, he was by the Rays in November 2015, signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, was released in 2016, and subsequently retired from playing. Following his retirement, Gomes joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization prior to the 2017 season as its first coordinator of pitching, leveraging his playing experience to aid in player development. He advanced to Director of Player Development in 2018, and was promoted to Vice President and Assistant General Manager in March 2019 under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. In January 2022, Gomes was named the 12th general manager in Dodgers history, effective for the 2022 season, and entered his first year in that expanded role focusing on roster construction, trades, and analytics integration. By the 2025 season, he had been elevated to executive vice president and general manager, entering his ninth year with the organization and playing a leading role in contract negotiations, daily coaching staff communication, and major-league roster decisions during the Dodgers' sustained contention in the National League West, including their victory in the 2025 World Series.

Amateur career

High school career

Brandon Gomes attended Durfee High School in , where he played as a three-year letterman, primarily as a right-handed and under coach Glenn Chatterton. During his senior year in 2001–2002, Gomes earned the Massachusetts High School Player of the Year award for , recognizing his outstanding performance as a senior right-handed and . He batted .506 that season with five home runs, contributing significantly to his team's efforts on the field. Over his three-year high school career, Gomes compiled an impressive 19–5 pitching record, showcasing his dominance on the mound while also providing versatility in the infield. He received All-State honors twice for his contributions, highlighting his status as one of the top amateur players in the state. Gomes' high school achievements drew attention from college recruiters, leading to his commitment to play at following graduation in 2002.

College career

Brandon Gomes enrolled at in 2003 and played for the team from 2003 to 2007, redshirting the 2004 season due to injury. As a in 2003, he appeared in 18 games, posting a 2-1 record with a 5.37 and 37 strikeouts over 60.1 . In 2005, as a redshirt sophomore, Gomes made 20 appearances, including 11 starts, recording 8 wins, 2 losses, a 4.42 , and 82 strikeouts in 89.2 innings, while earning 2 saves. During his junior year in 2006, Gomes started all 17 of his appearances, achieving a 7-6 record with a and 79 strikeouts across 102 , including one ; he tied for second in (C-USA) in starts, ranked fifth in , eighth in strikeouts, and tied for 11th in wins. As a senior in 2007, he started all 16 games, compiling a 7-6 record, , and 74 strikeouts in 96.1 with two and one , finishing sixth in C-USA in wins and eighth in strikeouts. Gomes participated in the prestigious , a showcase for top college talent scouted by professional teams, playing for the in 2003 and 2006. In 2003, he made 11 relief appearances, going 0-2 with a 5.87 and 14 strikeouts in 15.1 innings. Returning in 2006, he appeared in 16 games, posting a 2-2 record, 3.62 , and 43 strikeouts over 32.1 innings, contributing to the team's exposure among MLB scouts. At Tulane, Gomes balanced his athletic commitments with academics, earning a double major in and legal studies while maintaining eligibility on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and Tulane's 3.0 Club. His collegiate performance culminated in his selection by the Padres in the 17th round (537th overall) of the 2007 MLB Draft.

Professional playing career

San Diego Padres

Following his selection by the Padres in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of , Gomes signed with the organization and began his professional career that summer. He was initially assigned to the of the Rookie Advanced , where he made four appearances, before spending the bulk of the season with the Class A Fort Wayne Wizards of the in 14 games. Across 18 games (11 starts) between the two affiliates, Gomes posted a 2-4 record with a 4.23 over 66 innings, striking out 50 batters while allowing just 12 walks. In 2008, Gomes transitioned from a starting role to the while with the Fort Wayne , appearing in 37 outings before earning a promotion to the Class A Advanced [Lake Elsinore Storm](/page/Lake Elsinore Storm) of the on July 11. He excelled in his new role, combining for a 6-3 record and a 3.30 across 51 appearances (two starts) and 84 2/3 between the levels, with 81 strikeouts and a .271 opponent . This performance highlighted his adaptability and control, as he limited opponents to three or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 18 outings with . Gomes received another promotion in 2009 to the Class AA of the , where he established himself as a reliable reliever with a 4-1 record, 2.63 , and 100 strikeouts in 72 innings over 65 appearances, earning 15 holds along the way. He built on that success in 2010, remaining with and delivering an outstanding 7-2 mark with a 1.87 across 51 games and 72 1/3 innings, including 93 strikeouts and 11 holds, which helped solidify his status as one of the Padres' top relief prospects. Despite his strong progression, Gomes never reached the major leagues with and was traded to the on December 17, 2010, along with Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos, and Cole Figueroa in exchange for shortstop Jason Bartlett.

Tampa Bay Rays

Brandon Gomes was acquired by the in a December 2010 trade from the Padres, along with pitchers Adam Russell and César Ramos and Cole Figueroa, in exchange for Jason Bartlett and a or cash considerations. Following seasoning in the Padres' system, Gomes began the 2011 season with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, the . On May 3, 2011, the Rays recalled him to the major league roster, and he made his MLB debut that day against the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching two scoreless innings with one . Over his five seasons with the Rays from 2011 to 2015, Gomes appeared in 173 games exclusively as a reliever, compiling an 11–12 record with a 4.20 and 144 in 167.0 . Gomes experienced several notable seasons during his Rays tenure, often shuttling between the majors and Durham due to roster needs. In , his debut year, he posted a 2.92 in 40 appearances, contributing to the Rays' Wild Card berth. He made two postseason appearances that October in the ALDS against the Texas Rangers, allowing one run in 1.2 innings across Game 1 (a hitless relief outing in a 2-0 win) and Game 4. In 2013, he missed time from May to mid-August due to and appeared in 26 games with a 6.52 , while 2014 brought challenges, as he split time across three stints with the Rays (29 games, 3.71 ) and was outrighted to Durham on December 23 after clearing waivers. A key moment in 2014 occurred during , when Gomes worked with Rays coach Stan Boroski to simplify his delivery into a slide-step motion, enhancing and to the plate. This adjustment, which Gomes credited for improving his command, coincided with a shift in pitch mix, including increased reliance on his as a primary offering. In 2015, Gomes appeared in 63 games with a 4.27 ERA (2-6, 59.0 IP) before being on November 21, outrighted to Durham on November 24, and released as a in December.

Chicago Cubs

After being released by the following the 2015 season, Gomes signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on December 23, 2015, and was invited to . He was assigned to the Triple-A to begin the 2016 season. In 19 appearances for , Gomes posted a 1-2 record with a 3.97 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 22⅔ , though his performance was limited by ongoing struggles that had persisted since his major league days. He was briefly placed on the temporarily inactive list in late April before returning shortly thereafter. The Cubs released him on June 16, 2016. Following his release, Gomes retired from later that year, marking the end of his , and transitioned into and executive roles in the sport.

Pitching style

Brandon Gomes, a right-handed , employed a delivery characterized by an over-the-top slot that contributed to his ability to generate movement on his pitches. In 2014, during with the , he simplified his mechanics under the guidance of bullpen coach Stan Boroski, adopting a slide step to improve command and consistency, which helped reduce walks and enhance his overall effectiveness early in appearances. Gomes primarily relied on a three-pitch mix throughout his major league career: a averaging 90-92 mph, used approximately 45% of the time as his primary offering to set up other pitches; a thrown around 82 mph with an elite whiff rate, accounting for about 35% usage; and a splitter at 81-86 mph, comprising roughly 20% of his pitches and serving as a key out pitch with significant downward action. This repertoire was particularly effective in inducing fly balls, with Gomes allowing a high fly-ball rate that played into factors and defensive support during his Rays tenure. Over time, Gomes made adjustments to his arsenal, notably incorporating a at 78-82 mph, which he used more selectively against left-handed hitters to add depth and vary movement away from his slider-splitter combination. In his later years with the Rays, particularly from mid-2015 onward, he shifted toward a slider-heavy approach, increasing its usage to over 51% while reducing the splitter to near zero and incorporating the at about 8%, which improved his performance against both right- and left-handed batters by enhancing deception and whiff potential. This evolution reflected his adaptability, with the slider proving especially potent, generating whiffs in excess of 30% when not over-relying on experimental pitches like the cutter.

Executive career

Los Angeles Dodgers development roles

Following his release from the Chicago Cubs organization in June 2016, Brandon Gomes transitioned immediately into a front-office role with the , joining as pitching performance coordinator in November 2016. In this position, he focused on enhancing pitching development across the , drawing on his experience as a former major league reliever to support mechanics and performance optimization for prospects. In December 2017, Gomes was promoted to director of player development, where he oversaw the organization's talent pipelines, including , training programs, and holistic player advancement strategies. He managed a staff that coordinated hitting, pitching, and fielding instruction across all levels, emphasizing individualized plans to foster long-term growth rather than short-term results. Under his leadership, the Dodgers maintained a strong emphasis on operations, integrating with on-field coaching to refine skills for a diverse roster of prospects. Gomes' contributions during this period included key initiatives in pitcher development, such as supporting the refinement of command and secondary pitches for emerging talents like and . For instance, he praised Buehler's advanced analytical approach to mechanics, noting how the prospect's deep self-analysis accelerated his transition through the system. Adopting a of "putting the person first, then the baseball player," Gomes prioritized mental and emotional support alongside technical training, exemplified by his work with relievers like Joe Broussard to build resilience amid performance challenges. These efforts helped bolster the Dodgers' farm system, contributing to the emergence of homegrown arms that would later impact the major league rotation.

General manager role

Brandon Gomes was promoted to vice president and assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in March 2019, following his tenure in player development roles that provided foundational experience in talent evaluation and roster construction. On January 18, 2022, he advanced to the position of general manager, becoming the 12th person to hold the role since the franchise relocated to Los Angeles, and working closely with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in a collaborative front-office structure. Prior to the 2025 season, Gomes was elevated to executive vice president and general manager. By 2024, Gomes had assumed an elevated profile, taking a leading role in contract negotiations, trade discussions, and daily communications with the coaching staff, marking a shift in the organization's operational dynamics under Friedman's leadership. As general manager, Gomes has overseen several pivotal front-office decisions, including the negotiation of Teoscar Hernández's one-year contract in December 2023, which bolstered the outfield and contributed to Hernández's performance in 2024. He played a key role in supporting major acquisitions such as Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 12-year, $325 million contract in late 2023, as well as the trade for in December 2023, which strengthened the starting rotation. In July 2024, Gomes led a three-team trade acquiring infielder and pitcher from the Cardinals and , respectively, while also securing starting pitcher from the Detroit Tigers ahead of the trade deadline to address pitching depth amid injuries. These moves exemplified his focus on balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term roster sustainability through targeted staff management and player evaluations. Gomes' tenure has been instrumental in the Dodgers' sustained success, including their 2024 victory over the New York Yankees, where his strategic oversight was evident in critical game preparations, such as coordinating relief options with pitchers like . The team's back-to-back championship in 2025 further highlighted his contributions, culminating in a on November 3, 2025, during which Gomes addressed fans and team personnel in , emphasizing collective effort in the celebration. As of November 2025, Gomes continues to guide the front office's evolution under , prioritizing rotation stability; he has commented on Ohtani's successful return to pitching in 2025, noting a cautious, week-by-week buildup that integrated him as a regular starter by midseason while managing his dual role. This approach underscores Gomes' emphasis on player health and adaptability in sustaining the Dodgers' championship contention.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/brandon-gomes-460156
  2. https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/team/front-office/brandon-gomes
  3. https://www.heraldnews.com/story/sports/2022/01/20/fall-river-native-brandon-gomes-named-dodgers-general-manager-durfee-high-grad-baseball-mlb/6589804001/
  4. https://tulanehullabaloo.com/58749/sports/former-tulane-pitcher-brandon-gomes-named-general-manager-of-dodgers/
  5. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gomesbr01.shtml
  6. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30969/brandon-gomes
  7. https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-08-12/dodgers-gm-brandon-gomes-andrew-friedman-front-office
  8. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/08/12/dodgers-brandon-gomes/
  9. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33093894/los-angeles-dodgers-promote-brandon-gomes-general-manager
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCUIqTGLW3I
  11. https://tulanegreenwave.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-gomes/434
  12. https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/Brandon-Gomes/20116
  13. https://www.heraldnews.com/story/sports/2023/05/21/best-ever-fall-river-and-somerset-high-school-baseball-players/70236129007/
  14. https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/archive/2015/09/14/best-all-time-no-24/33518512007/
  15. https://www.wavebaseball.com/2003signings.htm
  16. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/41317/
  17. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gomes-001bra
  18. https://www.milb.com/player/brandon-gomes-460156
  19. https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-right-hander-brandon-gomes-clears-waivers-accepts-assignment/c-104880758
  20. https://www.mlb.com/news/gomes-earning-raves-with-new-delivery/c-69503132
  21. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/john-axford-daniel-nava-brandon-gomes-free-agents.html
  22. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/06/angels-outright-david-huff.html
  23. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-promote-former-mlb-reliever-brandon-gomes-to-general-manager-as-la-reshapes-front-office/
  24. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1999526-every-mlbs-team-biggest-surprise-and-disappointment-from-spring-training
  25. https://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=460156
  26. https://www.draysbay.com/2014/9/23/6833725/the-enigmatic-brandon-gomes
  27. https://rayscoloredglasses.com/2015/08/15/tampa-bay-rays-the-latest-version-of-brandon-gomes/
  28. https://www.mlb.com/news/brandon-gomes-promoted-to-dodgers-general-manager
  29. https://www.truebluela.com/2017/12/1/16724916/brandon-gomes-dodgers-director-of-player-development
  30. https://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-promote-brandon-gomes-director-of-player-development-ron-porterfield-director-of-player-health/2017/12/01/
  31. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24984515/mlb-los-angeles-dodgers-walker-buehler-keeps-getting-better
  32. https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/13/dodgers-brandon-gomes-will-maintain-familiar-approach-to-player-development/
  33. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26292749/dodgers-promote-ex-pitcher-gomes-asst-gm
  34. https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-01-16/teoscar-hernandez-dodgers-everyday-role-free-agency
  35. https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-07-29/dodgers-tommy-edman-trade-cardinals-white-sox
  36. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42101919/2024-world-series-champions-los-angeles-dodgers-celebration-dominance-parade-freeman-betts-ohtani
  37. https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/mlb-los-angeles-dodgers-world-series-celebration/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjU6bmV3c21sX01UMVVTQVRPREFZMjc0OTc3NDk
  38. https://athlonsports.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-gm-reveals-when-shohei-ohtani-will-pitch
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