Scott Moss

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #29 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The 2016 fourth-rounder from Florida was traded to the Guardians in July 2019 as part of a three-team deal that sent righthander Trevor Bauer to the Reds. Moss spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site. He had the worst year of his pro career in 2021 while dealing with neck, back and shoulder injuries. The Guardians designated him for assignment after the season, and the Phillies claimed him on waivers in November.
  
  Scouting Report: Moss was expected to compete for a spot in the big leagues in 2021, but was sidetracked by various injuries and a walk rate that rose to 6.6 per nine innings. Moss relies on a three-pitch mix led by a low-90s fastball that tops out at 94 mph. He gets good riding life at the top of the zone and solid extension on the pitch. He improved his slider over the last two seasons, and it flashes plus. He rounds out his arsenal with a changeup. Moss has average command, but his control has backed up from average to below-average.
  
  The Future: If Moss can throw more consistent strikes he could help the Phillies at the back of the rotation. He’ll compete for a roster spot in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #20 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Tommy John surgery sidelined Moss for his first two seasons at Florida but he broke out with a dominant start in the 2016 Southeastern Conference tournament, and the Reds drafted him in the fourth round. He's shown solid stuff in pro ball, and was included in the trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds. He got to Triple-A after the trade and spent 2020 at the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Moss has a big, strong frame and since getting into pro ball has proved to be dependable, throwing more than 130 innings from 2017-19. His fastball sits in the low 90s, gets up to 94 mph, and is capable of producing swings and misses. He combines it with a slider that can be plus and a changeup that makes for a quality third option. Moss pitched with average control early in his career but saw his walk rate balloon in 2019. The Indians have worked with him to get back to throwing more strikes since he joined the organization, but it's unlikely he'll ever have better than average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: Moss did not make his major league debut in 2020, but, given the circumstances of the season, only so much can be taken from that. He'll likely return to Triple-A and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the big leagues in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #13 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Tommy John surgery sidelined Moss for his first two seasons at Florida but he broke out with a dominant start in the 2016 Southeastern Conference Tournament, and the Reds liked the big lefthander enough to draft him in the fourth round. He rewarded their faith, and was pitching well in Double-A this summer when he was dealt to the Indians as part of the trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Moss has a big, strong frame and since getting into pro ball has proved to be dependable. His fastball sits in the low 90s, getting up to 94 mph, and is capable of producing swings and misses. He combines it with a slider that can be a plus pitch and a changeup that makes for a quality third option thanks to its differentiation from his fastball. Moss pitched with average control early in his career but saw his walk rate balloon in 2019. The Indians helped him to throw more strikes down the stretch, but it's something he'll have continue to remain vigilant of and he'll likely never have better than average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Indians were thrilled with what they saw from Moss after the trade and added him to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He'll start 2020 back with Columbus and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the big leagues at some point during the season.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #25 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: After sitting out his first two years at Florida recovering from Tommy John surgery, Moss was dominating in his only year on the mound for the Gators. After posting a 1.57 ERA with only two extra-base hits allowed in 23 innings, Moss was nearly as effective with low Class A Dayton in 2017. The crafty lefty was still effective and durable but not nearly as dominating in the Florida State League.
  
  Scouting Report: Moss relies on feel for pitching, locating and messing with hitters' timing because he lacks a plus pitch. His 88-92 mph fastball is effective because he spots it well to the four corners of the strike zone. His slider flashes above-average and he mixes in a fringe-average changeup. Moss repeats his delivery well and throws consistent strikes, showing future average control and above-average command.
  
  The Future: After starting 25 games in the high Class A Florida State league, Moss will be ticketed Double-A Chattanooga in 2019. With more seasoning of his changeup, Moss could fit as a swingman.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #29 prospect in 2018
  Moss was limited to one year at Florida after Tommy John surgery, and he was limited to mid-week starting duties and relief on the weekends. The Reds thought Moss was similar to Anthony DeSclafani, another pitcher who was buried on the Gators' depth chart before becoming a big leaguer. Moss' average fastball sits in the 88-93 mph range and also has a potentially average slider and changeup. He has a bit of a herky-jerky motion and wraps his wrist, but is able to repeat the delivery and some of that funkiness adds deception to stuff that can only be described as average. He has plus command and control, which helped him against young hitters in the Midwest League. Moss could be a back-of-the-rotation starter or a matchup guy in the big leagues.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #326 prospect in 2016 draft
  Moss had late helium after missing two years with Tommy John surgery. The redshirt sophomore came up with his longest and best outing in the Southeastern Conference tournament, when injuries and Florida being in the loser's bracket got him a start. He tossed six scoreless innings, walking none and striking out seven against LSU, popping his fastball up to 95 mph. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder sat in the low 90s and showed a sharp slider to go with it. Moss has leverage and a fresh arm with scant college track record, making him a draft wild card.

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The 2016 fourth-rounder from Florida was traded to the Guardians in July 2019 as part of a three-team deal that sent righthander Trevor Bauer to the Reds. Moss spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site. He had the worst year of his pro career in 2021 while dealing with neck, back and shoulder injuries. The Guardians designated him for assignment after the season, and the Phillies claimed him on waivers in November.
  
  Scouting Report: Moss was expected to compete for a spot in the big leagues in 2021, but was sidetracked by various injuries and a walk rate that rose to 6.6 per nine innings. Moss relies on a three-pitch mix led by a low-90s fastball that tops out at 94 mph. He gets good riding life at the top of the zone and solid extension on the pitch. He improved his slider over the last two seasons, and it flashes plus. He rounds out his arsenal with a changeup. Moss has average command, but his control has backed up from average to below-average.
  
  The Future: If Moss can throw more consistent strikes he could help the Phillies at the back of the rotation. He’ll compete for a roster spot in 2022.
  
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Tommy John surgery sidelined Moss for his first two seasons at Florida but he broke out with a dominant start in the 2016 Southeastern Conference tournament, and the Reds drafted him in the fourth round. He's shown solid stuff in pro ball, and was included in the trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds. He got to Triple-A after the trade and spent 2020 at the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Moss has a big, strong frame and since getting into pro ball has proved to be dependable, throwing more than 130 innings from 2017-19. His fastball sits in the low 90s, gets up to 94 mph, and is capable of producing swings and misses. He combines it with a slider that can be plus and a changeup that makes for a quality third option. Moss pitched with average control early in his career but saw his walk rate balloon in 2019. The Indians have worked with him to get back to throwing more strikes since he joined the organization, but it's unlikely he'll ever have better than average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: Moss did not make his major league debut in 2020, but, given the circumstances of the season, only so much can be taken from that. He'll likely return to Triple-A and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the big leagues in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Tommy John surgery sidelined Moss for his first two seasons at Florida but he broke out with a dominant start in the 2016 Southeastern Conference tournament, and the Reds drafted him in the fourth round. He's shown solid stuff in pro ball, and was included in the trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds. He got to Triple-A after the trade and spent 2020 at the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Moss has a big, strong frame and since getting into pro ball has proved to be dependable, throwing more than 130 innings from 2017-19. His fastball sits in the low 90s, gets up to 94 mph, and is capable of producing swings and misses. He combines it with a slider that can be plus and a changeup that makes for a quality third option. Moss pitched with average control early in his career but saw his walk rate balloon in 2019. The Indians have worked with him to get back to throwing more strikes since he joined the organization, but it's unlikely he'll ever have better than average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: Moss did not make his major league debut in 2020, but, given the circumstances of the season, only so much can be taken from that. He'll likely return to Triple-A and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the big leagues in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Tommy John surgery sidelined Moss for his first two seasons at Florida but he broke out with a dominant start in the 2016 Southeastern Conference Tournament, and the Reds liked the big lefthander enough to draft him in the fourth round. He rewarded their faith, and was pitching well in Double-A this summer when he was dealt to the Indians as part of the trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Moss has a big, strong frame and since getting into pro ball has proved to be dependable. His fastball sits in the low 90s, getting up to 94 mph, and is capable of producing swings and misses. He combines it with a slider that can be a plus pitch and a changeup that makes for a quality third option thanks to its differentiation from his fastball. Moss pitched with average control early in his career but saw his walk rate balloon in 2019. The Indians helped him to throw more strikes down the stretch, but it’s something he’ll have continue to remain vigilant of and he’ll likely never have better than average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Indians were thrilled with what they saw from Moss after the trade and added him to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He’ll start 2020 back with Columbus and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the big leagues at some point during the season.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Tommy John surgery sidelined Moss for his first two seasons at Florida but he broke out with a dominant start in the 2016 Southeastern Conference Tournament, and the Reds liked the big lefthander enough to draft him in the fourth round. He rewarded their faith, and was pitching well in Double-A this summer when he was dealt to the Indians as part of the trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Moss has a big, strong frame and since getting into pro ball has proved to be dependable. His fastball sits in the low 90s, getting up to 94 mph, and is capable of producing swings and misses. He combines it with a slider that can be a plus pitch and a changeup that makes for a quality third option thanks to its differentiation from his fastball. Moss pitched with average control early in his career but saw his walk rate balloon in 2019. The Indians helped him to throw more strikes down the stretch, but it's something he'll have continue to remain vigilant of and he'll likely never have better than average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Indians were thrilled with what they saw from Moss after the trade and added him to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He'll start 2020 back with Columbus and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the big leagues at some point during the season.