Former SF Giants switch-hitting infielder continues pro career in Frontier League

A former SF Giants infielder is continuing his pro career years after his last major league appearance. Miguel Gómez has agreed to join the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League for the 2024 season, per the league's transaction log.

Former SF Giants switch-hitting infielder continues pro career in Frontier League

Interestingly, former Giants minor league catcher Max Wright has joined the Frontier League as well, signing with the Gateway Grizzlies. Wright joined the Giants organization as an undrafted free agent in 2021 after five seasons at Indiana State University.

The 25-year-old spent three years with San Francisco and even received a major league invite to spring training last year, but did not make an appearance. Wright was released by the organization midway through the 2023 season after posting a .634 OPS in 129 plate appearances with the Eugene Emeralds.

On the other hand, Gómez was an intriguing prospect in the Giants system at one point. He even drew comparisons to Pablo Sandoval due in part to the fact that he is a switch-hitter with a line-drive swing, good contact skills, and the ability to barrel up pitches well outside of the strike zone. Unfortunately, Gómez was not able to stick at any one position like Sandoval.

The 31-year-old opened some eyes early in his pro career as he hit at every level he faced. This included a 2016 campaign in which he tallied a .330 batting average in 467 plate appearances split between Low-A and High-A. Though, he was a bit on the older side for those leagues at the time, he still proved to be above the competition.

The infield prospect began the 2017 season in Double-A where he slashed .305/.330/.458 in 322 plate appearances before he earned a surprise call-up to the major league roster. As a rookie, Gómez registered eight hits in 33 at-bats. Unfortunately, that would prove to be his longest look in the majors. He received 15 sporadic at-bats in 2018 before becoming a free agent after that season.

Since then, the former Giants infield prospect has played primarily with the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. For the past two seasons, he has played with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association, posting a .773 OPS in 580 plate appearances during that time. He was even teammates with former Giants catcher Héctor Sánchez in 2022. Now, he joins a new team that put up a strong 60-35 record last season.