Continued: Prospect with huge spikes to fill

It was in an interleague series at Shea Stadium last June when Mets outfielder Carlos Gomez displayed enough ability to get the attention of Twins players. Attention as in: Who is that kid?¶ "I remember I hit a ball down the left field line and [Gomez] closed on it like he was a wide receiver," said Torii Hunter, who left the Twins for the Angels as a free agent in November. "It was pretty impressive. This guy can fly."¶ Gomez's speed -- he's earned a top rating of eight on the scouting scale -- is the first thing that stands out about the Mets prospect who's about to become a Twins prospect. Or perhaps the replacement for Hunter in center field this season.¶ There's no centerpiece to the deal that will send two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana to the Mets for Gomez and three pitching prospects, but Gomez is the closest thing to it because of his potential. Righthanders Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra are also part of the deal, which will be finalized as soon as all players involved pass physicals and Santana agrees to a contract extension.

But Guerra, reputed to have excellent potential, is 18 years old and has not yet pitched above the Class A level. Humber and Mulvey are projected to be No. 3- through No. 5-caliber starting pitchers, at best.

That leaves Gomez as the most likely player in the deal to make an impact with the Twins in 2008.

"Every lineup there are three of four guys you remember throwing against, and he was one," said Twins righthander Kevin Slowey, who faced Gomez while at Class AA New Britain in 2006. "You knew he could lay down a bunt and there was a chance he could beat it out. Just watching him play, he covers more ground than you think."

The expectations are that the 6-4 Gomez will be more than a speed demon, that he will become a better-than-average hitter and ultimately drive pitches over the fence. Add his strong arm and it makes him a five-tool prospect and a big reason why Gomez, 22, was ranked the Mets' third-best prospect by Baseball America before the deal.

"With that bat speed, he's going to have 20-plus home run power,'' Mets General Manager Omar Minaya told the New York Post in June. "It's just a matter of time."

The Twins have been impressed with Gomez for years: They dangled reliever J.C. Romero at the Mets in 2005 before sending Romero to the Angels for Alexi Casilla.

Gomez spent this offseason playing for Escogido of the Dominican Winter League, hitting .262 in 29 games.

"You have to be patient," Hunter said. "This guy is young and he might take his lumps, Two or three years from now, maybe next year, he's going to do some damage. Give him a chance."

Gomez played in two of the three games during the Mets-Twins series last season, going 1-for-5 with a single -- off Santana, of all people.

"I remember that he could fly and had decent bat speed," Twins third base coach Scott Ullger said. "He looked a little susceptible to the off-speed pitch, the curveball and slider, as most kids are."

That's the biggest question surrounding Gomez. But there's no better example of a player being able to adjust at the plate than Hunter, who spent hours with Ullger, his former hitting coach, learning to recognize breaking balls and hit them.

"Same thing with me," Hunter said. "When I was 17, I didn't know what a slider was."

Gomez has other rough edges to smooth out. Minaya said in the June interview that Gomez runs so fast he sometimes slows down to round bases and needs to learn how to run with rhythm.

Gomez also was scolded by manager Willie Randolph and teammates in June for "styling" after hitting his second career homer.

"When you're a rookie, you have something on your mind, you think this is how you played in the minor leagues," Gomez told the Post. "But you learn you have to give other teams respect, and how to respect other teams, you do the right thing."

Gomez batted .232 in 58 games with two homers and 12 RBI in his debut season. He batted .299 in June but broke the hamate bone in his left hand while checking his swing during a July 4 game and missed two months.

One NL East scout said Gomez's game could mirror that of Toronto outfielder Alex Rios if he can make the required adjustments at the plate.

If Gomez can beat out Denard Span and Jason Pridie for the starting center field spot in spring training, he'll get to make those adjustments as a major leaguer.

"I would think the opportunity is there for him to be our starting center fielder," Ullger said, "He's a very impressive kid with a lot of tools."

Recent Twins stories

White Sox buy out Jermaine Dye - January 30, 2008

White Sox buy out Jermaine Dye - The Chicago White Sox have declined the mutual option on veteran right fielder and former World Series MVP Jermaine Dye, clearing the way for him to become a free agent. More