Tyson Ross

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #4 prospect in 2011
  One of the biggest surprises of last spring, Ross made Oakland's Opening Day roster despite having made just nine starts above high Class A. He predictably had his struggles but wasn't overwhelmed in his trial by fire before being sent down in July. He was shut down in August with a sprained ligament in his elbow. Ross features two above-average pitches in his fastball and slider. The fastball usually sits in the low to mid-90s and touched 98 mph late in the season in Triple-A. He uses the sink on his heater to get plenty of groundouts. However, major league hitters exposed his inconsistent fastball command. Ross' 83-84 mph slider is the best in the system. He also throws a cutter with promise and a changeup that improved last season even though he didn't use it much as a big league reliever. The short stride and upright finish to his delivery lead to durability concerns, and he missed time with mild shoulder and biceps woes in his first two pro seasons. The A's expect Ross to be ready for spring training, but scouts continue to worry about his health. He can reach his ceiling as a No. 2 starter if he can improve his command. He'll compete for Oakland's fifth-starter job in spring training.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #6 prospect in 2010
  A travel-ball teammate of Brett Wallace in northern California, Ross looked like a potential first-round pick entering 2008. An up-and-down junior season at California dropped him to the second round, but he got back on track in his first full season, pitching well down the stretch in Double-A and starring in the Texas League playoffs as Midland won the championship. The A's lengthened Ross' previous short stride by about a foot last year, with spectacular results. His sinking fastball now sits at 93-94 mph and touches 97, helping him induce groundouts. He throws a cutter that usually comes in around 90 mph and a slider with tilt at 82-84, both of which are above-average pitches. He cuts an imposing figure on the mound and is a good athlete for his size. Ross' command needs tightening and his changeup lags behind his other offerings, though he shows a feel for it. He has an upright finish to his delivery and his motion is hard on his shoulder. He missed time in his 2008 pro debut with a shoulder strain as well as a couple of starts last April with biceps tendinitis. Durability may always be a concern with Ross and eventually could dictate a move to the bullpen, but Oakland will continue developing him as a starter. He has middle-of-the-rotation stuff, and possibly more. He may open 2010 back in Double-A, but should reach Sacramento by the end of the year.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #15 prospect in 2009
  After spending the summer of 2007 with Team USA, Ross projected as a possible first-round pick but an inconsistent spring dropped him to the second round last June. The Athletics were thrilled to get him with the 58th overall pick and signed him for $694,000. Ross' fastball sits in the low 90s with hard sink and tops out at 95 mph. His best pitch is his plus slider, which he can throw in the low 80s with two-plane break or add a little velocity and give it shorter, harder break. At times, however, he can rely on his slider too much. A good athlete, Ross throws an average changeup in the low 80s with some tumble, and it could become an above-average offering as well. His unique motion provides deception but also is cause for concern. His arm action is short in the back and he remains upright throughout his delivery. Though he does have good balance, he has an exceptionally short stride to the plate for someone his size, landing on an extremely stiff plant leg and cutting off extension out front, leading to excess stress on his arm and back. He went on the disabled list in July with a strained shoulder, but returned in mid-August to make three more starts for low Class A Kane County. Some scouts think Ross' mechanics eventually will lead him to the bullpen, but Oakland will develop him as a starter. He'll likely start his first full pro season in high Class A. If he stays healthy, he could move quickly through the system, either as a starter or reliever.

• December, 2008 Scouting Report
  After spending the summer of 2007 with Team USA, Ross projected as a possible first-round pick but an inconsistent spring dropped him to the second round last June. The Athletics were thrilled to get him with the 58th overall pick and signed him for $694,000. Ross' fastball sits in the low 90s with hard sink and tops out at 95 mph. His best pitch is his plus slider, which he can throw in the low 80s with two-plane break or add a little velocity and give it shorter, harder break. At times, however, he can rely on his slider too much. A good athlete, Ross throws an average changeup in the low 80s with some tumble, and it could become an above-average offering as well. His unique motion provides deception but also is cause for concern. His arm action is short in the back and he remains upright throughout his delivery. Though he does have good balance, he has an exceptionally short stride to the plate for someone his size, landing on an extremely stiff plant leg and cutting off extension out front, leading to excess stress on his arm and back. He went on the disabled list in July with a strained shoulder, but returned in mid-August to make three more starts for low Class A Kane County. Some scouts think Ross' mechanics eventually will lead him to the bullpen, but Oakland will develop him as a starter. He'll likely start his first full pro season in high Class A. If he stays healthy, he could move quickly through the system, either as a starter or reliever.