Gomes Reflects on Success, Wants More

Yan Gomes knows the Blue Jays are fully stocked with strong young catching talent, but that won't stop him from striving to achieve his dream of reaching the big leagues. Currently assigned to the Phoenix Desert Dogs, Gomes welcomes the chance to play against the tough Arizona Fall League competition, to improve his game.

Gomes discribed the AFL assignment as an honor. He is pleased to be among the small group of players representing the Toronto organization in the off-season league and feels that facing some solid talent from other leagues might help to improve his game.

"It's a chance to up your game. Everybody's out here looking to do good and show off a bit, so I am looking forward to getting my playing time against great pitchers and great players," Gomes stated.

Off to somewhat of a slow start, through 6 games played for the Desert Dogs, Gomes has gone 3-for-17 (.176 avg) with 1 RBI.

Ranked behind such stud backstops as J.P. Arencibia and Travis d'Arnaud, with Carlos Perez and A.J. Jimenez on the rise, Gomes doesn't wish to get lost in the shuffle. The 24-year-old Brazilian born prospect wants to seize every opportunity he can.

In 79 games for the Double-A Eastern League champion New Hampshire Fisher Cats in 2011, Gomes posted a .250/.317/.464 line with 13 homeruns and 51 RBI. Gomes, a 10th round draft choice by Toronto in 2009, also spent some time with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51's, appearing in 4 games with them.

The 6-foot-2-inch 215-pounder feels the brief time playing up one level was beneficial to his game as he moves forward.

"I got to experience the next level and go from Double-A to Triple-A," Gomes said. "It was kind of like a sneak peak at what's up there. There are a lot of veterans with experience (in the Pacific Coast League). I feel like I did pretty good, even though my stats (3-for-14) may not show it, but I felt pretty comfortable up there, so that's definitely a good thing."

While he's excited to be playing in the AFL this autumn and grateful for the opportunity to play at Triple-A for a short spell, the highlight of the year for Gomes was certainly helping the Fisher Cats lock down their third ever EL title. As far as Gomes is concerned, there's nothing greater than sharing that level of success with all of your teammates.

"It was such a great year (with the Fisher Cats). With that team camaraderie, everybody did good and that just helped everyone out. We all fed off of each other and it was definitely a great experience all around for everybody and we all value the success we had."
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1BJW Interview: Yan Gomes

Over the weekend, Blue Jays minor leaguer Yan Gomes was promoted from Double A New Hampshire to Triple A Las Vegas. Prior to the move upward, Gomes had spent the season as a back up to Travis d'Arnaud with the NH Fisher Cats. In 36 games with the Cats, the 23-year-old posted a .238 batting average with 5 HR and 27 RBI.

A 10th round draft selection by Toronto in 2009, the righty batting Gomes is among the Blue Jays' collection of well regarded catching prospects.

In 2010, Gomes played 75 combined games at Class A Lansing and High A level Dunedin, while posting a .270 average with 9 HR and 48 RBI.

Gomes, who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 215 pounds, made his pro debut after signing in 2009 and played in 64 games combined between the Gulf Coast League and the short season New York-Penn League. That season, Gomes posted a combined .300 average with a solid .809 OPS.

In his Triple A debut with the Las Vegas 51s on Monday night, Gomes went 1-for-5 with an RBI single.

Last week, prior to Yan's promotion, I caught up with the man who grew up as a Blue Jays fan and we spoke about the New Hampshire pitching staff, playing for former Major League catcher Sal Fasano, his personal progress and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview.


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Lansing Lugnuts Roster Transaction

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts, in conjunction with the Toronto Blue Jays, announced Tuesday that All-Star catcher A.J. Jimenez has been placed on the 7-day Disabled List (oblique) retroactive to June 27^th with catcher Yan Gomes transferred to Lansing from the Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Advanced, Florida State League).

The Lugnuts roster comprises 25 active players and three players on the DL.  

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DEACTIVATE:  C A.J. Jimenez, placed on the 7-day Disabled List retroactive to 6/27

ADD:  C Yan Gomes, transferred from Dunedin (A-Advanced, Florida State League)

All-Stars from Big D(unedin)

Here are your 2010 Florida State League All-Stars from the Dunedin Blue Jays:

• Henderson Alvarez, P
• Matt Daly, P
• Travis D'Arnaud, C
• Yan Gomes, C
• Tyler Pastornicky, SS

Daly was a late substitution.

Five Jays named to FSL North All-Star Team

First place Jays get two pitchers, two catchers and an infielder

Dunedin, FL – The Florida State League announced their rosters for the 2010 Florida State League All-Star Game in Viera on Saturday, June 12, with five Dunedin Blue Jays players being selected to make the team.

Starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, catchers Travis d’Arnaud and Yan Gomes and infielder Tyler Pastornicky were all voted to the team by team managers, official scorers and beat writers.

Dunedin closer Matt Daly was added to the team as a substitution after Tampa pitcher Hector Noesi was promoted to Double-A.

Both Tampa and Dunedin ended up with five selections, with Brevard County, Clearwater and Lakeland each having four. Daytona had three selections. South Division leading Bradenton led all teams with seven selections overall.

The Dunedin Blue Jays were at the top of the FSL North Division after Friday night’s action at 31-18 overall, and it was due to the hard work of their all-stars.

Alvarez, 20, has gone 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA in nine starts this season, striking out 31 and only walking nine. The right-handed starter was named the #5 prospect in the Blue Jays system by Baseball America at the start of the season.

D’Arnaud, 20, hit his fifth home run of the season on Friday night and is hitting .309 this season with 22 RBIs. The catcher has a team best .543 slugging percentage. He was acquired in an offseason trade that sent Roy Halladay to Philadelphia in exchange for d’Arnaud, Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor.

Gomes, 22, is batting .286 on the season with 10 doubles and 14 RBIs. Also a catcher, Gomes is in his second season of professional baseball after being drafted in the 10^th round of the 2009 draft out of Berry University.

Pastornicky, 20, is batting .263 and has split time between shortstop and second base this season. He has three home runs with 19 RBIs and has stolen a team-high 13 bases.

Daly, 23, has 14 saves in 15 opportunities with Dunedin this season, tops in the Florida State League. He has allowed a run in only three of his FSL-best 22 appearances this season.