Prospect of the Day: Tyson Ross, RHP, Oakland Athletics

by John Sickels on Apr 26, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Tyson Ross, RHP, Oakland Athletics
A year ago, Tyson Ross was a surprise addition to the 25-man roster, but he pitched just 39 innings for Oakland, his pitching time limited by a sore elbow. He's back with Oakland this spring, beginning in the bullpen but making a spot start to cover for the injured Dallas Braden last Friday (April 22^nd). In 9.1 innings for Oakland thus far, he's given up eight hits and six runs with a 6/8 K/BB ratio, though in relief the ratio is 5/2 in five innings. What is his long-term role going to be?

     Ross was a second round pick in 2008 from the University of California. He went 10-10, 4.09 with a 113/53 K/BB in 136 innings between High-A Stockton and Double-A Midland in 2009, but posted a 2.19 GO/AO and greatly impressed scouts with the quality of his sinker. Jumping directly to the majors last year resulted in a 5.49 ERA in 39 innings for Oakland with a 32/20 K/BB, as major league hitters exposed command issues, but even there he posted a 2.23 GO/AO.
    Ross can hit 98 MPH on his best days and works in the low-90s. His sinker has plenty of movement and he struggles to command it at times. His slider is strong and he has a workable changeup. Although his arsenal is diverse enough to start, many scouts question his mechanics and project that he's a significant injury risk. Indeed, he's had bouts of elbow and shoulder trouble. Even without that issue, he'll need to sharpen his command to succeed as a starter, but at worst he should be a successful reliever. I gave him a Grade B- in the 2011 Baseball Prospect Book, with the command and injury concerns precluding a higher grade.
     Tyson's younger brother, California high school pitcher Joe Ross, is expected to be an early pick in the 2011 draft.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: Dallas Braden (P - OAK), Tyson Ross (P - OAK), Oakland Athletics

Comments

dosent look like to bad of a prospect give him a B,

if he cant control his pitches he wont start. But anyone who can throw 98 mhp has an arm and he could be find usefull some way in the majors.

by Jt Malley on Apr 26, 2025 8:04 AM EDT reply actions

man oakland has a deep young staff

Ross would probably be given the #4 spot in the Dback rotation to lose.

Maybe if Oakland is in the hunt at the end of the year and in need of another bat they will trade a guy like Ross? Hey, we will give you Russell Branyan for him

by ScottAZ on Apr 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

I'm no pitching mechanics expert

but his do not pass the eye test to me, looks like he hardly uses his lower body.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9259531

Law, at least, has been very critical of his mechanics, I’m sure there are other scouts who’ve said the same, as John pointed. I sure do like his stuff though, so I don’t blame the A’s for trying not to mess with a good thing.

by PrincetonCubs on Apr 26, 2025 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not an expert, either .....

But, wow, that is odd. I would like to have seen a 3rd base angle, but it looks like he hardly strides to the plate. And it looks like most of his “power” in his stride comes from his lower leg — like he only flexes his foot off the rubber.

This is first time I’ve seen him, since I don’t watch the A’s — just had to concur about the wacky use (to me) of his legs.

by Ryno1984 on Apr 26, 2025 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

This is irrelevant now

Ron Romanick and the A’s staff worked with him in the offseason and spring. His delivery is COMPLETELY different now, to alleviate those mechanics issues.

by BigJ7489 on Apr 26, 2025 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

is it?

granted, this is just one pitch, but it doesn’t look like there was a dramatic improvement. I can’t find more recent video clips of him beyond this one

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13692201

by PrincetonCubs on Apr 26, 2025 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it’s hard to tell from those two videos, but there does seem to be a subtle difference.

I didn’t realize how crummy the editing was (for analysis purposes) in the first video, but it seems like on the last two pitches, he wasn’t getting his upper leg anywhere near parallel to the ground.

In the second video, on the one pitch, his knee is much higher. I think that gets his weight back and helps give him a slightly smoother push off the rubber. I don’t see much difference in his upper body, so, based on one pitch, I don’t think I’d go as far as saying his delivery is “completely different”. But there does appear to be improvement in his lower body.

In my layman’s opinion …..

by Ryno1984 on Apr 26, 2025 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions