Luiz Gohara was surprised to find a large, rectangular brown package waiting when he arrived at the Braves’ clubhouse at Champion Stadium on Wednesday, a gift for the rookie left-hander from his famous agent, Scott Boras.
He tore it open and smiled as he pulled out its contents: A large, color photo on canvas of Gohara pitching during his first major league win Sept. 13 against the Nationals. There was a hand-written note from Boras in the bottom right-handed corner.
“I don’t know how I’m going to get it home on the plane to Brazil,” Gohara said, laughing softly, clearly proud and pleased by the gesture.
That win against Washington was just the second major league outing for Gohara, who allowed one earned run, six hits and no walks with six strikeouts at Nationals Park. Making it more impressive was the fact the performance came one week after a rough debut, when the hard-throwing former Mariners prospect was charged with six runs, four hits and four walks in four innings of a loss in the first game of a doubleheader
The stocky Brazilian’s major league debut came just six weeks after the Braves promoted him from Double-A to Triple-A and less than six weeks after his 21st birthday. And while Gohara’s 1-3 record and 4.91 ERA in five major league starts last season might not look good on paper, his overall performance during that September call-up with the Braves impressed everyone on the team, its coaching staff and team officials.
That’s why Gohara, who began last season in high Single-A, is expected to win one of the two open spots in the Braves’ rotation this spring behind Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz and veteran newcomer Brandon McCarthy. Gohara’s chief competition figures to come from young lefties Sean Newcomb and rookie Max Fried, who also debuted last season with the Braves.
“Like I said in the past, wow, I moved that fast,” Gohara said, when asked about how far he’s come in one year. “I came here that quick and spent a month with the major league team. That’s great for me. ... From the first game to now it’s just like, wow, I did it. I feel more confident, I feel like I can throw the ball easier now because I don’t have as much pressure on me. Just keep going.”
After his debut against the Rangers, Gohara posted a 3.55 ERA and .314 opponents’ OBP in his remaining four starts and totaled 25 strikeouts with only four walks and one homer allowed in 25 1/3 innings, including consecutive starts against the Nationals and games against the Phillies and at Miami.
His command was the thing that resonated most with manager Brian Snitker.
“He’s got the strike zone,” Snitker said Wednesday. “He’s got a big arm, but he throws the ball over. That always sticks out with young guys because a lot of guys have good stuff, but the strike zone isn’t consistent with some of those guys. But it looks like he has the ability to throw the ball where he wants to. The stuff is live, it’s big. I love the way he competes. He wasn’t in awe of anything when he was there, and he has a big arm.”
Gohara spent the offseason at home in Brazil and reported to spring training looking a little less bulky than last season. But make no mistake, he’s still a load. He’s compared with veteran pitcher C.C. Sabathia because of his body type, not just because they have similar pitching motions.
“I worked pretty hard (during the offseason) on the mechanics, running, all that stuff, the muscles you use in baseball,” he said. “Just keep it simple and keep going. ... Worked a lot on the conditioning. It’s not hard, it was hot there (in Brazil). Just doing what I need to do. I feel better from last year.”
While the Braves want to make sure that Gohara stays on top of his diet and keeps his weight under control, Snitker said he’s not concerned and believes in Gohara for all the positives he brings.
“He repeats his delivery. He’s an athletic guy -- as far as fielding his position, he can move, he’s a big man, but he’s an athletic guy,” Snitker said. “I’m going to stress with the pitchers the bunting and hitting a little bit more this spring than we have in the past. And I think he’s a guy who’s talented enough that that could be a big part of his game also.”
The encouragement he’s received from teammates and coaches has helped Gohara, who is a quiet and somewhat shy sort, feel at home in a major league setting.
“I just feel comfortable right now because I have all the guys around me,” he said. “I know all the guys around me are trying to help me, the coaches and everybody. It makes me feel more comfortable to try and make the team.”
