Austin Gomber

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244+2⁄3innings pitched (IP). [3] He was an All-Sun Belt Conference pitcher his junior year, leading the conference with a 2.97 ERA. [4] In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [5]

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Gomber in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft [3] [6] and signed him with a $374,100 bonus. His first assignment was to the State College Spikes of the Low-A New York–Penn League, [1] where he had a 2–2 record, 2.30 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 11 games started. [7]

In 2015, Gomber pitched for the Peoria Chiefs, where he was named a Midwest League All-Star. He finished the season with a 15–3 record and a 2.67 ERA, leading the league in wins, strikeouts (140) and batting average against (.198). [8] At one point during the season, Gomber won 13 consecutive decisions. [7] The Cardinals named him their Minor League Pitcher of the Month for August, [9] and, along with Alex Reyes, their Co-Minor League Pitchers of the Year. [8]

The Cardinals invited him to spring training as a non-roster player in 2016, where he pitched against FAU in an. [10] He began 2016 with the Palm Beach Cardinals and was promoted to the Springfield Cardinals in July. By the end of July, he had started 19 games over classes A-Advanced and Double-A, allowing a 2.69 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 120+2⁄3 innings. [11] He finished the season with a combined 7–8 record and a 2.69 ERA in 21 starts. [12] After the season, the Cardinals assigned Gomber to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League (AFL). [13] Gomber was one of the best pitchers in the AFL starting seven games with a 5–1 record and a 2.14 ERA.

Gomber spent 2017 with Springfield. After struggling during the first half of the season, he posted a 1.92 ERA in his last ten games with Springfield. He finished the season 10–7 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 26 starts, as he pitched 143 innings (fourth in the Texas League) and had 140 strikeouts (second) and gave up 61 walks (fifth) and 17 home runs (sixth). [14] The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the season to protect him from being chosen in the Rule 5 Draft. [15]

Gomber with the Memphis Redbirds in 2018 Gomber 18 (cropped).jpg
Gomber with the Memphis Redbirds in 2018

Gomber began 2018 with the Memphis Redbirds. On April 23, in a game against the Iowa Cubs, Gomber tied the Redbirds' franchise record for strikeouts in a game with 16, joining Lance Lynn, who also struck out 16 in 2010. [16]

The Cardinals promoted Gomber from Memphis on April 29, to pitch in long relief. [17] However, he did not make an appearance and was optioned back to Memphis on May 4. He was recalled once again on May 31 [18] and made his major league debut on June 2, pitching three scoreless innings of relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium in a 3–2 walk-off win. He was optioned back to Memphis on July 6. [19] He was recalled on July 24 to make his first major league start that night. In that start, Gomber threw six no-hit innings against the Cincinnati Reds before allowing a single to Joey Votto with one out in the seventh inning. [20] He finished the year with St. Louis, compiling a 6–2 record with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP in 29 games (11 starts). [21]

Gomber didn't pitch in the majors in 2019, missing three months of the season with biceps tendonitis. Prior to the injury, he was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week after throwing a 7-inning complete game shutout on April 20. [4]

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Gomber appeared in 10 games (four starts) with the Cardinals, going 1–1 with a 1.86 ERA. In 29 innings pitched, he struck out 27 batters while walking 15. [22]

Colorado Rockies

On February 1, 2021, Gomber was traded to the Colorado Rockies along with minor leaguers Elehuris Montero, Mateo Gil, Tony Locey, and Jake Sommers for Nolan Arenado. [23] Gomber made 23 starts in 2021, with a 9–9 record, 4.53 ERA, and 113 strikeouts in 115+1⁄3 innings before his season was cut short due to a stress fracture in his lower back. [24] In 2022, he split the season between starting and relieving, with a 5–7 record and 5.56 ERA in 124+2⁄3 innings. [4]

Gomber did not issue a walk in a franchise-record 29+2⁄3 consecutive innings, a streak starting on June 30 and ending on July 31, 2023. [25] [4] On August 28, Gomber left a start against the Atlanta Braves as a result of back soreness. [26] He placed on the injured list on September 8, [27] and was later transferred to the 60-day injured list the same day with what was described as lower back inflammation, ending his season. [28] In his third season with the Rockies, Gomber had a 9–9 record, 5.50 ERA, and 87 strikeouts in 139 innings across 27 starts.

In 2024, Gomber started 30 games with a 5–12 record, 4.75 ERA, and 116 strikeouts in 165 innings while tied for allowing the most home runs in the National League. [29] He led the Rockies in innings pitched. [4]

Gomber began the 2025 season on the injured list due to shoulder soreness. Following a rehab start with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, he was scratched from a scheduled second start due to inflammation in the same shoulder. [30] On April 19, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list. [31] He was activated on June 15. [32] In 12 starts for Colorado, Gomber struggled to an 0–7 record, 7.49 ERA, and 34 strikeouts across 57+2⁄3 innings pitched. Gomber was released by the Rockies on August 22. [33]

Chicago Cubs

On August 26, 2025, Gomber signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs; he was subsequently assigned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. [34] He made four appearances (three starts) for Iowa, with a 2–0 record and 0.47 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 19 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6. [35] [36]

Pitching style

Gomber throws four pitches: a fastball, changeup, curveball and slider. His fastball can reach 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). In his pre-draft report, Jim Callis commented that Gomber's changeup was his best pitch. [3]

Personal life

Gomber married his wife on December 28, 2019. They had their first son in June 2019, their second son in August 2021, and their daughter in September 2024. [37] They reside in Windermere, Florida. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Ryzewski, Steven (July 2, 2014). "Local baseball players ink big league contracts". West Orange Times & Observer . Observer Media Group . Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Austin Gomber - Baseball". Florida Atlantic University Athletics. February 13, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Halsted, Alex (June 6, 2014). "College lefty Gomber picked by Cards in Round 4". MLB.com . Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Colorado Rockies (2025). Colorado Rockies 2025 Media Guide. pp. 99–102.
  5. ↑ "Austin Gomber - Profile". Pointstreak. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  6. ↑ Kurtenbach, Dieter (June 6, 2014). "FAU's Austin Gomber selected by St. Louis Cardinals on Day Two of MLB Draft". Sun-Sentinel . Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Kraft, Alex (August 22, 2015). "St. Louis Cardinals prospect Austin Gomber nabs 13th straight win for Peoria Chiefs". Minor League Baseball . Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Eminian, Dave (November 23, 2015). "Chiefs lefty Austin Gomber named Cardinals co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year". Journal Star . Peoria, Illinois. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  9. ↑ Baliva, Nathan (September 4, 2015). "Gomber named Cardinals Pitcher of the Month: Lefty went 4–0 with a 0.35 ERA in August". Minor League Baseball . Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ Langosch, Jenifer (January 20, 2016). "Cardinals announce 61 Spring Training invitees". MLB.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ Rosenbaum, Mike (July 31, 2016). "Anderson, Arcia among top prospect performers Saturday". m.cardinals.mlb.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Austin Gomber Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats". Minor League Baseball . Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Major League Baseball | Winter Leagues | Arizona Fall League | MLB.com". Mlb.mlb.com. January 20, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Austin Gomber Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball" . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Cardinals Add 4 Players to 40-Man Roster". M.cardinals.mlb.com. January 20, 2016. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Cardinals prospect Austin Gomber fans 16 in 8-inning start for Memphis | St. Louis Cardinals". stltoday.com. April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Cardinals recall Gomber, option Flaherty". MLB.com. April 29, 2018.
  18. ↑ RotoWire Staff (May 31, 2018). "Cardinals' Austin Gomber: Recalled Thursday". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Cardinals activate Paul DeJong from DL". Mlb.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  20. ↑ Monagan, Matt (July 24, 2018). "A fire alarm went off during a Cardinals no-hitter and Twitter could not handle it". MLB.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  21. ↑ Schaeffer, Brenden. "St. Louis Cardinals 2018 player grades: Starting pitchers". KMOV.com.
  22. ↑ "Cardinals finalize trade, get Arenado from Rockies". ESPN. Associated Press. February 2, 2021. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  23. ↑ Saunders, Patrick (February 2, 2021). "Nolan Arenado trade to Cardinals from Rockies becomes official". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  24. ↑ Saunders, Patrick (September 4, 2021). "Rockies' Austin Gomber out for rest of season with back injury". denverpost.com. The Denver Post. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  25. ↑ Bradfield, Samantha (August 6, 2023). "Colorado Rockies game no. 111 thread: Austin Gomber vs Zack Thompson". Purple Row. SB Nation. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Rockies' Austin Gomber: Battles back issues again Monday". CBSSports.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Rockies' Austin Gomber: Bound for injured list". CBSSports.com. September 8, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Rockies' Austin Gomber: Shut down with back injury". CBSSports.com. September 8, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Rockies' Austin Gomber: Drops to 5-12". CBSSports.com. September 26, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Rockies Promote Chase Dollander". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Colorado Rockies place Ezequiel Tovar on 10-day injured list". ESPN.com. April 19, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  32. ↑ Adams, Steve (June 15, 2025). "Rockies Activate Austin Gomber". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Rockies release LHP Austin Gomber after 12 starts, no wins". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  34. ↑ Franco, Anthony (September 2, 2025). "Cubs Sign Austin Gomber To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Minor League Free Agents 2025". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Transactions". MiLB.com. November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  37. ↑ Wick, Justin (August 17, 2021). "Rockies place LHP Austin Gomber on paternity list, recall INF Alan Trejo". Purple Row. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
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Austin Gomber
Austin Gomber, P, 22 years old Roger Dean Practice Fields. (cropped).jpg
Gomber with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1993-11-23) November 23, 1993 (age 32)
Winter Garden, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 2, 2018, for the St. Louis Cardinals