Yan Gomes (born July 19, 1987) is a Brazilian-American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB).
He previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics.
2007
In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and returned to the league in 2008 to play for the Chatham A's.
2008
Gomes was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 39th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, but he did not sign.
After playing two seasons with the Volunteers, Gomes transferred to Barry University, where he continued his collegiate career with the Barry Buccaneers in the Sunshine State Conference.
He set school records with 92 runs batted in (RBI) and 172 total bases.
He was named to the All-South regional team, and he was honored as the All-South player of the year and an All-American.
2009
The Blue Jays selected Gomes in the tenth round of the 2009 MLB draft.
After his junior season, the Toronto Blue Jays drafted Gomes in the tenth round of the 2009 MLB Draft, and he signed.
Gomes made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2009.
He was promoted to the Auburn Doubledays of the Class A-Short Season New York–Pennsylvania League that season.
2010
In 2010, he played for the Lansing Lugnuts of the Class A Midwest League and Dunedin Blue Jays of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League.
2011
Gomes played most of the 2011 season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Class AA Eastern League, receiving a brief promotion to the Las Vegas 51s of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.
During his first three professional seasons, Gomes spent most of his time as a backup catcher, but he soon began to receive playing time at first base and third base as well, as he sat behind top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud in the organization's depth chart.
2012
He made his MLB debut in 2012, becoming the first Brazilian-born player in major league history.
He played for the Blue Jays in 2012 and the Indians from 2013 to 2018.
Gomes married Jenna Hammaker, daughter of former pitcher and All-Star Atlee Hammaker, in 2012.
After batting .359 (47-for-131) with five home runs and 22 RBI at the start of the 2012 season with Las Vegas, Gomes was promoted on May 17, 2012 as the Blue Jays optioned the struggling Adam Lind to Las Vegas.
Upon his MLB debut that day, Gomes became the first Brazilian player in MLB history.
On the same day, Gomes got his first MLB hit, a single off of New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes.
On May 18, 2012, Gomes hit his first MLB home run on the first pitch off of New York Mets pitcher Jon Niese in a 14–5 win.
Gomes was optioned back to Las Vegas on May 27.
He hit 5–22 with two home runs in eight games.
Gomes was recalled from Triple-A on June 5, with pitcher Jesse Chavez being optioned to make room for him.
Gomes was sent back down to Triple-A Las Vegas 51s on June 20.
Gomes was again recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas 51s on July 19; pitcher Sam Dyson was optioned to Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats to make room on the roster.
Gomes was optioned back to the Las Vegas 51s after an 11–2 loss to the Texas Rangers on August 19.
2014
They have three children, a daughter born in 2014 and sons born in 2017 and 2021.
They reside in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Gomes is a Christian.
Gomes attended Miami Southridge High School in Miami, Florida, where he played for the school's baseball team.
He enrolled at the University of Tennessee, where he played college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers in the Southeastern Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I.
At Tennessee, he started at every infield position except shortstop.
He also spent a season as J. P. Arencibia's backup at catcher.
After his first season with Tennessee, he was named an NCAA Division I Freshman All-American.
2019
He was traded to the Nationals ahead of the 2019 season and won the World Series with Washington over the Houston Astros.
Gomes was born in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
His mother, Claudia, moved the family to the United States after getting a job in Florida, and his father, Décio, is a tennis instructor.
He was introduced to baseball by a Cuban coach his father met in São Paulo.
Gomes' family moved to the United States when he was 12.
