MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Consensus All-American Yan Gomes became the highest-drafted player in Barry University baseball history going in the 10th round (310 overall) to the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I didn’t really expect to get picked by the Blue Jays, but I am excited about them selecting me,” Gomes said. “One of my better friends, J.P. Arencibia, plays for the Blue Jays in AAA. Only problem is, he is also a catcher.”
The 6-1, 190 junior played both third base and caught for the Sunshine State Conference champion Bucs, but will likely concentrate behind the plate at as a professional.
“I feel I am best at catcher,” Gomes said. “I think that’s where my potential is highest and that is the position I want to play.”
The Buccaneers posted the best season in school history, setting records for wins (44), consecutive wins (15) and winning percentage (.800) and Gomes was a large part of the success according to head coach Marc Pavao.
“He brought leadership and a work ethic that the other players really picked up,” Pavao said. “I think the biggest reason for our success was the leadership he brought to the field each day.”
This year, Gomes set Barry records with 92 RBI and 172 total bases, finishing just one off the record behind teammates Danny Lima for hits (90) and Yudelmis Hernandez for homers (21), as he led the team with a .405 average.
He was named the player of the year by the Sunshine State Conference and in the South Region by all three organizations (Daktronics, Inc., American Baseball Coaches Association and National Collegiate Baseball Writers), going on to earn first-team All-America honors in all three polls as well.
Last year, as a draft-eligible sophomore at Tennessee, Gomes was tabbed by the Boston Red Sox in the 39th round (1192 overall). The excellent season with the Bucs produced an improvement in his draft position of 882 places.
“It was a big jump to move from the 39th round to the 10th round this year,” Gomes said. “Coming to Barry this year helped me feel more comfortable and I think that was a big help in improving my play and where I was drafted.”
Though Gomes has another year of eligibility remaining, he expects to sign and will be assigned to one of the Blue Jays minor league affiliates, likely Lansing in the Class A Midwest League.
“I am very excited and just ready to go at this point,” Gomes added.
Gomes is one of several Sunshine State Conference players already picked in the draft, going third overall from the league (Florida Southern SS Robbie Shields – 3rd round to the Mets and Nova Southeastern RHP Miles Mikolas – 7th round to the Padres).
“It’s great for the program when players like this get drafted this high and it also shows the strength of the conference when other players are drafted high, as well,” Pavao noted. “For all of the players draft day is exciting, as it gives them the chance to follow the dream to play pro ball.”
Senior Danny Lima was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 23rd round (694) and selected as a shortstop.
"Texas was one of the teams that really showed a lot of interest in me," Lima said.
Lima played several positions, including shortstop, third base and centerfield throughout 2009.
"I am looking forward to playing shortstop," Lima added. "Before I came to Barry, I played shortstop most of my life, so it shouldn't be too hard to adjust back to that position."
Being a senior, Lima didn't have many expectations when it came to getting drafted.
"I really had no expectations," Lima noted. "I just hoped for a chance, which now I have."
Lima excelled in his one season with the Bucs, tallying a .394 batting average and leading the team in hits (91) and stolen bases (14).
"Playing at Barry was just such a huge difference from playing at Tennessee," Lima said. "Coming to Barry was one of the best decisions I made, as I really enjoyed my senior year and coach Pavao and everyone were just awesome."
Senior right-hander Bobby Hernandez was also selected on day two of the draft in the 28th round (847) by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"I had an idea about which team might select me," Hernandez said. "Both the Dodgers and Kansas City Royals showed interest."
Hernandez moved up over 300 spots from last year's selection when he went in the 38th round (1162 overall) to the Boston Red Sox.
"I really didn't expect to go this high," he added. "I was actually walking out the door to go play catch when I heard my name on the audio broadcast of the MLB Draft."
Hernandez went 5-3, while spliting time as a starter and closer in 2009. He posted a 4.14 ERA in 67.1 innings with 60 strikeouts and just 22 walks. His versatility may have been what sealed the deal.
"One of the reasons I think I went so high was because of my versatility," Hernandez said. "One of the cross-checking scouts watched me throw and liked that I can either start or come out of the bullpen."
Where as Gomes and Lima just played one season at Barry, Hernandez spent his entire collegiate career wearing a Barry uniform.
"I really gained a lot from my time at Barry," Hernandez said. "I gained a lot of knowledge and learned the mental part of the game and how to adjust to it. The coaching staff did a great job of helping me with that during my time at Barry."
Yudelmis Hernandez became the fourth player selected this year, setting a new high for Buccaneers taken in the draft. He went in the 38th round (1150 overall) to the Toronto Blue Jays, proving the worth of playing on good teams after teammate Gomes was also tabbed by the Blue Jays.
Hernandez set a Barry record with 22 home runs, batting .372 with 79 RBI and 60 runs scored. He was second on the team in RBI, and walks (43), while tying for the lead with 19 doubles.
