For a guy with such a humble personality, Tyson Ross has a knack
for commanding attention during spring training. The 6-foot-6
right-hander appeared to be on the outside looking in regarding the
Oakland Athletics’ crowded fifth starter competition.
PHOENIX
For a guy with such a humble personality, Tyson Ross has a knack for commanding attention during spring training.
The 6-foot-6 right-hander appeared to be on the outside looking in regarding the Oakland Athletics’ crowded fifth starter competition.
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But much as he did last spring, when he unexpectedly snatched a roster spot with the major league club, Ross has forced his way into the conversation.
With Rich Harden sidelined by an injury and Josh Outman struggling, Ross’ impressive showing has positioned him as a strong candidate to become the No. 5 starter. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy and lefty Bobby Cramer appear to be his main competitors.
Ross has yet to allow a run through four Cactus League games, with seven strikeouts and two walks in 9 2/3 innings.
“I hope to be in that rotation in the big leagues at some point during the year, whenever the time is right,” said Ross, who turns 24 next month. “I’m just trying to focus on my health and getting my pitches to where they should be. The results and what the team decides to do are out of my control.”
Ross surprisingly broke camp with Oakland last year as a reliever. He had yet to advance past Double-A and had never thrown regularly out of the bullpen.
He held his own early on but was sent to the minors in July after his ERA ballooned to 5.49 in 26 appearances.
Ross is recovered from a sprained elbow ligament that ended his season in August, and the A’s have him pegged as a starter—the role he prefers.
“I just kind of like the routine of starting,” he said. “Last year was my first experience really out of the ‘pen ever. I had to learn fast.”
Perhaps Ross was too versatile for his own good.
He pitched well enough in relief that the A’s tapped him for two spot starts when Justin Duchscherer was lost to a hip injury. Upon returning to the bullpen, Ross lost his command.
In his first 11 appearances, Ross issued six walks in 19 innings. Over his final 13 appearances, immediately after his two starts, he walked 13 in 12 2/3 innings.
Whether or not the shift in roles contributed to his struggles, Ross learned a lot.
“I didn’t do the greatest job of pounding the strike zone,” he said. “I’m going to try to make that the key, because we’ve got an awesome team with great defense. They can’t help me out if I’m walking guys.”
Ross also said he’s working to improve his changeup as a complement to his fastball, sinker and slider.
However, one thing the A’s won’t do is overhaul Ross’ mechanics. The right-hander slings the ball from a very upright delivery which some believe could lead to shoulder problems.
“Every elite pitcher has a different symmetry,” pitching coach Ron Romanick said. “You just try to take out any bad angles in there. He’s going to throw the way he’s going to throw. You just try to keep him in good fundamentals for his style.”
With the A’s off Wednesday, Ross threw five innings in a minor league intrasquad game, giving up one homer.
—Reliever Craig Breslow, coming off a hamstring injury, threw one inning in the same game and came out of it well. A’s manager Bob Geren said Breslow is likely to throw in another such game before making his Cactus League debut.
—Left fielder Josh Willingham was hit by a fastball on his left elbow Tuesday against the Cubs. Willingham stayed in the game but was replaced on defense in the top of the fifth.
He said he was hopeful the day off would prevent him from having to miss any games.
— Joe Stiglich, Contra Costa Times
