In a surprising move that has stirred up conversations in the sports community, veteran left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber has officially inked a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, which comes complete with an invitation to participate in major league spring training. This announcement was made by the Rangers on Thursday, and it also included news of spring training invites extended to nine other players from within their ranks, one of whom is their highly-regarded prospect, 19-year-old infielder Sebastian Walcott.
Gomber's journey has been anything but smooth. Last season, he faced significant challenges, missing the first two and a half months due to lingering soreness in his left shoulder, an issue that emerged during spring training. After making his return in mid-June, his performance was less than stellar, resulting in an unfortunate record of 0-7 alongside a hefty 7.49 ERA over 12 starts for the Colorado Rockies. Ultimately, this led to his release at the end of August. Over the course of seven seasons in the major leagues, Gomber has recorded a career total of 35 wins against 47 losses, with an overall ERA of 5.08 across 168 games—124 of which were as a starter. He previously played for the Cardinals for two seasons before spending the last five years with the Rockies.
It's worth noting that Gomber was acquired by the Rockies in a significant six-player trade prior to the start of the 2021 spring training, which notably involved the transfer of star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals. Gomber, who was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft by St. Louis after his time at Florida Atlantic, has had quite the professional journey.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Walcott is set to make his second consecutive appearance in big league spring training as a non-roster invitee. Last season, he showcased impressive stats, hitting .255 with 13 home runs, driving in 59 runs, drawing 70 walks, and stealing 32 bases in 124 games while playing for Double-A Frisco.
As the excitement builds, Rangers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for their first workout on February 10 in Surprise, Arizona, with the entire squad expected to gather for their first full training session on February 15. This period of preparation promises to be pivotal for both Gomber and the team as they gear up for the upcoming season.
