Carlos Gomez Walks Into The N.Y. Spotlight

By Rob "Special" K.
Posted Sunday, May 13, 2007

FLUSHING, N.Y. -- In a move that seemed to be inevitable, the Mets sent down Mike Pelfrey to AAA New Orleans today, but the real surprise was his replacement...Carlos Gomez.

There were many reasons to why the Mets called up the 21-year old outfielder and not another pitcher, but the most glaring was the current injury to left fielder Moises Alou. With the hopes that Alou would be rested and ready to go for the Yankees series next week, along with giving Shawn Green a pass facing Brewers lefty Chris Capuano.

Carlos Gomez was doing some nice things with the Zephyrs before his call up today, such as leading the Pacific Coast League with 17 steals. His current batting line had him hitting a modest .286 with 24 runs scored and 13 RBI, in 140 at bats. Some other notable numbers are his two home runs, two triples and eight doubles that he accumulated in that span.

 

As for Mike Pelfrey, it was evident that his most glaring areas this year that needs work is his pitch placement and a secondary pitch to compliment his fastball. Though he did showcase a good slider and change up at times, his consistency with those pitchers were lacking at best.

Pelfrey did take the news in stride today, but was also clearly disappointed.

"They told me I was part of the future," Pelfrey said, "that it was all positive." He added, "I worked so hard, but I didn't perform. It's a business. I haven't won a game. You have to win to be here. I have to go down and work on some things in less pressure situations. I walked too many," he said of his 17 free passes in 30 1/3 innngs. "My secondary stuff got better, but I need to locate."