The Angels released 39 minor leaguers last week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic relays (click here for the full list). Left-hander Luiz Gohara may be the most notable player the Angels subtracted.
Now 23 years old, the Brazil-born Gohara was once a premium prospect as a member of the Braves, who acquired him from the Mariners in a January 2017 trade that saw outfielder Mallex Smith go to Seattle (though the M’s quickly flipped Smith to Tampa Bay). Gohara mowed down minor league hitters that year, combining for a 2.62 ERA with 10.7 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 123 2/3 innings, and ended up making his major league debut. That was the first of two straight seasons in which Gohara appeared in the majors, and though has only amassed 49 frames of 5.33 ERA pitching at the game’s highest level so far, he has managed nine strikeouts per nine against 2.94 walks.
It’s now anyone’s guess whether Gohara will make it back to the bigs. Shoulder problems prevented Gohara from pitching professionally last season, when the Braves released him in early August. Gohara caught on with the Angels a few weeks later, but his Halos tenure is now over before he ever threw a meaningful pitch as part of their organization.
what has been the injury issue the past year plus anyway? never really heard what it was.
He has gad shoulder issues. It very well could be related to what is known to be a poor work ethic (weight) which is one reason the Ms were willing to move him.
yeah but what about it? he hasnt been able to play since 2018. not every “shoulder injury” takes that long to heal.
It says shoulder
It’s not just injury issues. He went home in the off-season to watch his dad inexplicably die over a few weeks, basically in his arms. He’s never been the same since.
Gohara needs to stop shoveling in double cheeseburgers if he wants to be a major leaguer.
Perhaps like CC he thinks that losing weight will hurt his pitching? People always so quick to judge
Good point, John. Heavier built pitchers have had success, CC possibly being the most notable of them. David Wells wasn’t the smallest guy either, but he was a heckuva pitcher.
I thought that the Mariners have up a future ace when they traded him. He still could be but it seems less likely now.
Considering Gohara’s 23, he could still have a shot even with his shoulder injuries. Maybe a move to the BP might be in order or he saves some weight off and see if that helps.
Orioles should take a gander
Absolutely.
you’d think the pitching starved Angel’s would find a way to keep him….He unfortunately lost his Father and had a Visa issue I believe that delayed another season in the minors. He truly needs a couple of clean seasons to show what he can be….All for the Braves picking him back up!
No way. It’s a shame what happened to him, off the field, but on the field, there’s no room for him. He’s no longer the TOR potential he once had, and he’s not gotten it done in the sample size he’s had at MLB level.
Wish him the best, with another team, not Atlanta.
Yeah, why would the Braves want a guy for minimal cost who they could stash and possibly could turn into a valuable trade chip?
As a Braves fan, his fall from grace was sad to watch unfold. He finished 2017 with several very impressive starts at the age of just 20. Then his father died, Then his mother almost died. He’s from Brazil, and his interest in baseball has always been up for debate. You could tell when he finally did start pitching in 2018 that he wasn’t really into it. Since he hurt his shoulder that year, he really hasn’t seemed too interested in returning at all. He’s a big guy. A lot of people compare him to Sabathia physically. But I follow him on IG and he was in Dadbod condition during spring training. The Braves cut him on his birthday, so you kinda get the idea behind the scenes that he’s not seen very favorably.
didn’t he have some Visa issues too around his mother almost dying or am I mistaken? Not that really affects him mentally but just shows the kinda luck he’s had…
Not that the Braves need him or ended things on good terms, but he showed some promise. I’d love to have him on a minor league deal again. Just wait it out a bit longer, he’s still young. Never know
All I kept reading was that injuries kept popping up because he couldn’t keep his weight down. It would jump and he’d pull something kinda thing.
Texas has been after this guy for a little while. Could be their chance
I’d like to see the Red Sox sign him and give him a chance. Given Sale is out with TJ for the season and their overall lack of pitching depth — he could wind up getting some innings with them either in long relief or even as a starter. I mean he’s still only 23 and clearly has some raw potential — so who knows maybe he can put some things together and actually get his career back on track a bit.
So far I have seen fans of the Orioles, Rangers and Red Sox all say that their teams should give him a try. I thought that nobody in mlb was anywhere near as desperate for pitching as the Angels are. What does this say about your team’s pitching situation if you want them to take a guy that the Angels tossed overboard?
Yeah, but there’s a difference: the Angels view themselves as contenders, I think. They would probably prefer something more immediate.
Gohara makes a ton of sense for the O’s or the BoSox to take a gamble on. Neither are going anywhere in the near future, so why not?
This was once a lefty that could touch 100 mph. It’s crazy to see him now released twice before 24
not the perfect comp, but Jose Quintana is a lefty and was released by the Mets and hit MiLB free agency twice as a Yankee before debuting. its a weird path but we’ve seen weirder ones.
Lefty that had prospect hype reclamation project??
Toronto.
you can put it on the booooaaarrdddd…… yes.
Padres. Bullpen arm.
Yates is a free agent after the season and Castillo missed last year cause of injury. Fortify the pen.
Pomeranz, Strahm, Castillo, Gohara gives them 4 lefties out the pen and with young arms who are still not that far removed from TJS in Paddack and Lamet letting them go 5 innings then pen takes over is a luxury the Padres have.
If there is anyone following along with Baseball Reference’s OOTP simulated 2020 season, Gohara was just traded along with another prospect from the Agnels to the Padres for Tommy Pham.
There have been some really interesting hypothetical trades on there along with several interesting hypothetical contract extensions.
Sign with the Sox, let Cooper revitalize your career
Always liked Gohara. Easy gas, back in 2017-2018.