Gore attended Whiteville High School in
Whiteville, North Carolina. As a junior, he was 12–1 with a 0.08
earned run average (ERA) and 174
strikeouts in 88+1⁄3 innings pitched.[1][2] During the season, he threw a
no-hitter with 18 strikeouts.[3] He led Whiteville to the 1-A state championship four years in a row, winning three, with Gore being named MVP of all three victories.[4] During the summer 2016, he played in the Perfect Game Classic at
Petco Park.[5] Gore committed to the
East Carolina University to play
college baseball.[6]
Professional career
San Diego Padres
Minor leagues
Gore was considered one of the top prospects for the
2017 Major League Baseball draft.[7][8][9] He was drafted by the
San Diego Padres with the third overall pick. He signed a rookie contract on June 23, 2017.[10] He spent 2017 with the
Arizona League Padres where he pitched in seven games, posting a 0–1 record, a 1.27 ERA, and a 0.98 WHIP in seven starts.[11] He spent 2018 with the
Fort Wayne TinCaps, going 2–5 with a 4.45 ERA over 16 starts.[12]
At the start of 2020, MLB Pipeline rated Gore as the best pitching prospect in minor league baseball and the fifth best prospect overall.[20] He did not play a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the season caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic.[21] Gore began the 2021 season with the
El Paso Chihuahuas, but was placed on the
injured list after compiling a 5.85 ERA over six starts to go along with a lingering blister and various mechanical issues.[22] Gore made three rehab appearances before he was assigned to the
San Antonio Missions with whom he threw eight innings in which he walked nine, struck out 16, and gave up three earned runs.[23] He ended the season being ranked the 56th overall best prospect in baseball and the fourth best left handed pitching prospect.[24] He was assigned to the
Peoria Javelinas of the
Arizona Fall League after the season.[25] On November 19, 2021, the Padres added Gore to their 40-man roster to protect him from the
Rule 5 draft.[26]
Major leagues
Gore was not part of the Padres Opening Day roster in 2022, starting the season instead with El Paso after the Padres traded for
Sean Manaea the weekend before the season started.[27] But Gore was quickly called up when
Blake Snell was placed on the IL after his first start.[28] Gore made his MLB debut on April 15, 2022, pitching against the defending champion
Atlanta Braves. He threw 5+1⁄3 innings while giving up 3 hits and 2 runs. He recorded his first career strikeout against Braves second baseman
Ozzie Albies.[29] He earned his first win on April 20.[30] Gore stayed up with the Padres after Snell and
Mike Clevinger rejoined the club, operating out of a temporary six-man rotation that became regular by the end of May.[31][32] The Padres placed Gore on the 15-day injured list on July 26, due to left elbow inflammation.[33]