MILWAUKEE, Wis.– Milwaukee Brewers’ outfielder Carlos Gomez has become a big fan favorite since being traded from the Minnesota Twins. His defense and speed really changed Milwaukee’s organization. You have to get men on base for guys like Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez. Gomez is the perfect top of the order guy, because you never know if he’s going to try to hit it out of the park, or try to just get on base. And when you can bunt yourself on base that’s always a bonus. Gomez has the skills of a legit MVP contender going into the season, and just like the last two seasons, I’m expecting nothing less. It’s very rare to get a guy that can hit 25-30 home runs, and steal 30-40 bases on top of all that, and the Brewers will need him to produce this season if they want to play in October.
Last season Carlos Gomez hit 23 home runs, and drove in a respectful 73 runs. He also swiped 34 bases and hit for an average of .284. His glove also helps Milwaukee defensively as he won gold gloves the last two seasons, which lead him to be one of the leagues best outfielders. That also ended a 31 year drought for a Brewer winning a gold glove. His power and electrifying speed combination is perfect for the center field position. And it always is fun when you can move him anywhere in the lineup in spots 1-5. It always helps when you have a guys with the speed as Carlos Gomez, along with his power. He can drive runs in if he’s in the right spot of the lineup, or he can be at the top of the order to cause base running problems for opponents, or even start the game off with a lead-off bomb.
Gomez will of course need a day off time to time to rest, but he needs to be in the Brewers lineup as much as possible. Like I’ve said multiple times, his speed and power is key to the Brewers lineup. On opening day expect Gomez to start the season as Milwaukee’s lead-off guy, maybe second. We will have to see how Jean Segura and Scooter Gennett look during spring training. Those are the only other guys I see who would be a good lead-off guy for Milwaukee in the long run. And who knows we might just see Ron Roenicke mix the lineup up more than usual. The Brewers have plenty of guys who are comfortable batting anywhere in the lineup, and it would keep opponents guessing on which Milwaukee lineup they will see each day. If Gomez is lead-off, you have one of the fastest guys in the MLB to start it off. If he’s third, there’s a chance to get some men on for him to drive in. And if he’s fourth or fifth, you’ll either have men on for him, or he’ll lead-off the next inning. That’s why his speed is such a huge factor for Milwaukee, he’s the main reason they can switch their lineup around as much as they do.
Gomez in my opinion is also the most entertaining Brewer to watch since Nyjer “Tony Plush” Morgan. He can really get the crowd going, he loves to joke around, and with his phenomenal catches, he may even be arguably the most fun player to watch in all of baseball. If Gomez is his same self he’s been the last two seasons, expect another all-star season, gold glove, and potentially top five for sure top ten in the league in stolen bases.
~Tony Nechvatal
All Wisconsin Athletics 
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