Atlanta Braves Trade Jonny Gomes to the Royals
By Fred Owens
Today the Atlanta Braves traded Jonny Gomes (7) to the Kansas City Royals for minor league infielder Luis Valenzuela. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
In the middle of tonight’s game the Braves announced a trade that sent Jonny Gomes and cash to the Royals for minor league infielder Luis Valenzuela.
Bye Bye Jonny
The Braves signed Gomes in the off season to provide much needed leadership in the clubhouse and set an example for the younger players and he did just that. From day one he insisted his goal was to win and he did everything he could to make it happen.
Against LHP Gomes was a force posting a .247/.412/.466 line with 5 homers and 14 RBI. Injuries early in the season and a lack of roster depth meant he played a lot against RHP, something he has never excelled at. Against those RHP his anemic .208/.264/.308 line meant he left with a less than appealing .237/.327/.368 overall line.
Hello Luis
Valenzuela originally signed with the Red Sox as an 18 year old international free agent from Laguna Salada, Dominican Republic in 2012. He played just nine games in the Dominican summer league that season. For reasons I haven’t been able to determine he didn’t play again until the 2013, this time for the Royals in the Arizona Fall League for five games.
Last season Valenzuela played in rookie ball for the Royals posting a .259/.306/.370 line striking out 45 times and walking 14 in 234 PA but this season things were different.
His first eight games in rookie league this year produced a .486/.472/.600 before being promoted to Lexington in the Sally League. At Lexington he appeared in 47 games posting a .330/.368/.483 line with 3 homers, 10 doubles and 3 doubles. He stole eight bases in nine attempts and struck out 27 times while walking eight in 184 plate appearances. Although nominally a shortstop he’s also spent time at second and third.
That’s a Wrap
There’s not much information out there on Valenzuela but he’s a young infielder with potential and Gomes gets to move on to another post season with a team where he might earn another World Series ring. Valenzuela will be assigned to Rome.