The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a key piece of their organization this offseason, as former director of player development Gabe Kapler left to become manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers found Kapler’s replacement from within the organization, as they promoted pitching coordinator of performance Brandon Gomes to be the new director of player development.
Gomes has a history with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, as he was a pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization when Friedman was running their front office.
In a recent interview on “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” Gomes commented on his early excitement with holding the new position, via SportsNet LA
“It’s been so much fun and an honor, obviously, to be named the director of player development. The biggest thing that I’ve noticed since coming on board is the incredible environment that’s been created here. The quality of person is like nothing else. Our entire staff and players, I really feel like they come to work every day and just really enjoy being here.”
Gomes was on the mound in the big leagues as recently as 2015 with the Rays, and spent 2016 pitching in the Chicago Cubs organization. The 33-year-old believes that not being far removed from his days as a player will help him in his new role:
“I think that’s definitely a benefit of being that close to the game. I understand a lot of the struggles that go on with the day-to-day routine of being a Minor League player. So I think it certainly makes me a little more relatable to the guys. I can kind of tell them that I’ve been there and I’ve been in their shoes. I think it’s helpful as far as connecting with the players.”
As director of player development, Gomes will not only be working with players at the Major League level, but also prospects throughout the organization’s Minor League affiliates. The job is not an easy one, but Gomes seems to be up for the challenge.
