In 2015, Gomber pitched for the Peoria Chiefs, where he was named a Midwest LeagueAll-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).[6] At one point during the season, he won 13 consecutive decisions.[5] The Cardinals named Gomber their Minor League Pitcher of the Month for August 2015,[7] and, along with Alex Reyes, their Co-Minor League Pitchers of the Year.[6] The Cardinals invited him to spring training as a non-roster player in 2016.[8]
Gomber began 2016 with the Palm Beach Cardinals and was promoted to the Springfield Cardinals in July. In his second start for Springfield on July 30, 2016, he pitched seven innings against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and allowed one hit, no runs, two walks and struck out three. Gomber had started 19 games over Classes A-Advanced and AA to that point in 2016, allowing a 2.69 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 120+2⁄3 innings.[9] He finished the 2016 season with a combined 7–8 record and a 2.69 ERA in 21 starts.[10] After the season, the Cardinals assigned Gomber to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).[11] Gomber was one of the best pitchers in the AFL and finished the season with seven games started, a 5–1 record, and a 2.14 ERA.
Gomber spent 2017 with Springfield. After struggling during the first half of the season, Gomber posted a 1.92 ERA in his last ten games with Springfield. He finished the 2017 season 10–7 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 26 starts, as he pitched 143 innings (4th in the Texas League) and had 140 strikeouts (2nd) and gave up 61 walks (5th) and 17 home runs (6th).[12] The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the season to protect him from being chosen in the Rule 5 Draft.[13]
Gomber began 2018 with the Memphis Redbirds. On April 23, 2018, 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.[14]
The Cardinals promoted Gomber from Memphis on April 29, 2018, to pitch in long relief out of the bullpen.[15] However, he did not make an appearance and was optioned back to Memphis on May 4. He was recalled once again on May 31,[16] and he 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.[17] He was recalled on July 24 to make his first major league start that night. In his first MLB 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.[18] 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).[19]
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Gomber appeared in 10 games (four starts) with the Cardinals, going 1–1 with an ERA of 1.86. In 29 innings pitched, he struck out 27 batters while walking 15.[20]
Colorado Rockies
On February 1, 2021, Gomber was traded to the Colorado Rockies alongside minor league players Elehuris Montero, Mateo Gil, Tony Locey and Jake Sommers in exchange for Nolan Arenado.[21] For the 2021 season, Gomber made 23 starts, tallying a 9–9 record with a 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.[22]
In 2023, Gomber posted a 9–9 record and 5.50 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 139.0 innings across 27 starts for Colorado. On August 28, 2023, Gomber departed a start against the Atlanta Braves as a result of back soreness.[23] He placed on the injured list on September 8,[24] and was later transferred to the 60–day injured list the same day with what was described as lower back inflammation, ending his season.[25]
Pitching style
Gomber throws four pitches: a fastball, changeup, curveball, and a slider. His fastball can reach 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). In his pre-draft report, Jim Callis commented that his changeup was his best pitch.[2]
Personal life
Gomber and his wife Rachel, had their first son, Beckham, in June 2019 and their second son, Charlie in August 2021.[26]