Chris Oxspring

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #17 prospect in 2005
  Oxspring is a testament to the tenacity of Padres scouts, who decided to look at a few independent Frontier League pitchers when the game they attended in order to scout batters was rained out. Oxspring became a national hero in his native Austrailia in 2004 when he pitched 15 scoreless innings in a pair of victories to guide his squad to the silver medal in the Athens Olympics. Oxspring has solid stuff, with a low-90s fastball, plus slider and improved changeup. His control is erratic, and at times he can get frustrated and overthrow, which leads to greater troubles. His inability to trust his stuff has been a concern, but he returned from Athens a much more confident pitcher. Oxspring is 27, so there's little projection left in him, but his stuff is good enough to be a fifth starter. He'll go into spring training with a chance to earn a bullpen role, but he'll likely return to Triple-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #11 prospect in 2004
  The Padres have a knack for uncovering talent in independent leagues, and Oxspring has been one of their better finds since signing out of a rain-soaked tryout for Frontier Leaguers in 2000. An Australian who pitched in the 2001 World Cup, he took off after moving into Mobile's rotation in late May. He went 10-4, 2.47 and didn't give up more than three runs in an outing until his final start of 2003. Oxspring has the best slider in the system and a 91-93 mph fastball. He also throws a curveball and changeup, though those pitches aren't as advanced. After lacking confidence in the past--he preferred pitching in middle relief-- he took to starting and began to believe in himself. Oxspring has to trust his stuff. He still needs to go after hitters more aggressively. His curveball, changeup and command all can improve. He made three trips to the disabled list with shoulder problems in 2002, but held up throughout last season. Added to the 40-man roster for the first time, Oxspring is headed for Triple-A. If he can maintain his confidence, he could be pitching for the Padres by the end of the season.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #29 prospect in 2003
  The Padres scout independent leagues as thoroughly as any organization, and their persistence paid off in September 2000. During a rain-soaked tryout for Frontier League players, they saw more than two dozen pitchers before Oxspring took the mound and popped 94 mph on the radar gun. Oxspring, who pitched for Australia at the 2001 World Cup, still touches 94 and works in the low 90s. His nasty curveball may be an even better pitch. San Diego wanted him to start last year, but he resisted that idea and spent most of the year in middle relief. As a result, he didn't get as much of a chance to develop his slider and changeup. Oxspring missed two months with shoulder problems but threw well after returning. He'll head back to Double-A in 2003. He's now open to the idea of starting, and likely will earn a spot in a Mobile rotation that already will include top lefties Mark Phillips and Cory Stewart.