Minnesota Twins Profile Part I: CF Carlos Gomez

Talk about high expectations.

Nobody has a larger chip on their shoulder than Carlos Gomez. The Twins traded two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana to get him. He now roams centerfield in the Metrodome, a place once guarded by Kirby Puckett and Torii Hunter. He wears No. 22, the number of former Twins ironhorse, Brad Radke.

This youngster reeks of greatness. Former teammate Jose Reyes, who has led the National League in stolen bases and triples for multiple seasons, has said of Gomez, "He is faster than I am."

Carlos Gomez was born on December 4, 1985 in Santiago, Dominican Republic. When he was only 16, Gomez signed as an international free agent with the New York Mets.

During his first year for AA-Birmingham, Gomez hit .281 with 53 runs scored, 24 doubles, eight triples, seven home runs, 48 RBI, and 41 stolen bases. Gomez was also the co-winner of the Sterling Award, which is given to the top Mets player in each minor league level.

During his time for the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs, he had 17 stolen bases in 36 games and was hitting .286. He received the call-up to the big league club when Mets outfielder Moises Alou went on the DL.

When Gomez came up, the Mets became the first team in MLB history to have a team with three players named Carlos on it (Gomez, Beltran, and Delgado). Gomez was also the youngest players in the National League at the time of his call-up. He hit a double in his first at-bat as a Met.

On February 2nd, 2008, the Mets traded Gomez for Twins' ace Johan Santana, along with three other prospects. Gomez then began a battle for the starting centerfield spot, which was vacant after Torii Hunter's departure to the Angels. Gomez beat out Jason Pridie and Denard Span, the latter of which had been waiting in the wings for Hunter to depart.

A lot of people often wonder how fast Carlos Gomez is. Gomez's 40-yard dash time has been clocked at 4.29. Other noteworthy 40-times are NFL stars Deion Sanders (4.17), Devin Hester (4.27), Reggie Bush (4.33), Willie Parker (4.23), and Randy Moss (4.25).

Every MLB team dreams of having a young player like Gomez. He is a five-tool player, meaning he excels at hitting for average, power, as well as base running, fielding, and throwing abilities.

And at only 22 years old, who knows what kind of havoc this young kid will wreck in the majors.