In a season already filled with odd twists, the Atlanta Braves organization experienced yet another unexpected development. Jacob Gomez, a relief pitcher in their minor league system with the Rome Emperors, has been released after being arrested for shoplifting from a Walmart. The stolen item? A \$60 pack of sports trading cards.
According to a report from WSB-TV, Gomez attempted to steal NFL trading cards by hiding them in his shorts. Walmart employees spotted the theft, reviewed surveillance footage, and alerted the police. Gomez was identified and taken into custody on August 28. Just three days later, the Braves released him from the organization.
Gomez, 23, signed with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent in 2024 after four years pitching at Old Dominion University. While he wasn’t a top prospect, he had shown promise. He allowed just one run in 13.2 innings with Low-A Augusta last year and posted a solid 2.82 ERA over 51 innings between Augusta and Rome this season.
Despite his on-field success, this lapse in judgment could derail his career entirely. Though the theft is only a misdemeanor (since it involved less than \$500), Gomez’s relatively low profile and limited minor league experience may make it hard for another team to take a chance on him.
While there’s a possibility a team might be interested in a left-handed pitcher with a strong ERA, the Braves decided the incident wasn’t worth overlooking and chose to part ways with him swiftly.