SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 23: A detailed view of the cap and glove belonging to Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets sitting on the dugout steps prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on April 23, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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Jackson Roberts

By Jackson Roberts

Contributing Sports Writer

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Ofreidy Gómez hadn't pitched in affiliated baseball since 2023, but the New York Mets decided to change that on Tuesday.

According to a report from Mike Mayer of Metsmerized, the Mets signed Gómez to a minor-league contract for the upcoming season. Gómez, who was released by the Baltimore Orioles in 2023, will resume the dream of making his major league debut after a two-year hiatus.

Gómez, a 30-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, has been on a strikeout binge in the Dominican Winter League this year, with 22 batters fanned in only 13 innings. He's also been throwing up to 99 mph, according to Mayer, which will earn just about any pitcher a look from the 30 big-league clubs.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: A detailed view of the cap and glove belonging to Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets sitting on the dugout steps prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on April 23, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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Originally signed by the Kansas City Royals as an international free agent in 2012, Gómez threw 10 seasons and 226 games in affiliated ball. He was released by the Royals in 2020 and went on to play in the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Orioles systems.

Gómez has also played winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Mexico, independent ball in the U.S., and regular-season ball in Mexico for the last two years after his Orioles departure.

Every team makes minor-league signings every winter, and to some extent, Gómez's story is immaterial to the Mets, who are simply looking for someone to provide valuable innings on the farm. And if he truly impresses, Gómez could be rewarded with his long-awaited shot at the majors.

But to a fan, Gómez's story is one of the reasons baseball is unmatched by any other sport, because the minor-league system creates thousands of players like this right-handed pitcher, all hoping that their years of resilience will eventually pay off with a trip to a major league mound or batter's box.

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