Anthony Gose

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #2 prospect in 2012
  While Gose ran his fastball up to 97 mph in high school, shoulder problems and his desire to play every day prompted the Phillies to draft him as an outfielder. The Blue Jays coveted him during Roy Halladay trade talks in 2009, but Philadelphia balked. Toronto wound up with Gose a year later when he went to the Astros in a package for Roy Oswalt and Houston flipped him for Brett Wallace. Gose has three tools that rate at least at 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale in his speed, center-field defense and arm. He led the Eastern League with 70 steals in 2011 while succeeding at a career-high 82 percent clip. Gose dramatically raised his walk rate in Double-A, though he has yet to hit for a high average because he's overly aggressive and racks up plenty of strikeouts. The Blue Jays believe he'll hit better as he gains experience and quiets his approach. He has enough strength to have average power, and his 16 homers in 2011 nearly doubled his total from his first three pro seasons. If Gose can be just an average hitter, his other tools would make him a valuable major leaguer. After a season in Triple-A, he could find himself patroling center field at Rogers Centre at some point in 2013.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #4 prospect in 2011
  Though his fastball was 97 mph in high school, Gose developed shoulder problems and didn't show much of a desire to pitch in pro ball. The Phillies refused to part with him when the Blue Jays shopped Roy Halladay in 2009. Toronto finally got him a year later, as Philadelphia included Gose in a package to get Roy Oswalt from the Astros, who immediately flipped him to the Jays for Brett Wallace. One of the fastest prospects in baseball, Gose led the minors with 76 steals in 2009 but wasn't as successful in high Class A. He's still working on reading pitchers and getting good jumps, and he got caught a minor league-high 32 times in 77 attempts. His center-field defense and arm strength give him two more plus tools, but his bat still needs to come around. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts and put the ball in play more consistently. He could develop average power, though he'll be better off putting the ball in the gaps and wreaking havoc on the bases. If Gose becomes just an average hitter, his speed and defense could make him a force. His bat is still a work in progress, so a return to high Class A is possible.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #6 prospect in 2010
  Gose had as much arm strength as any high school lefthander this decade, reaching 97 mph at times, but had no desire to pitch as a professional. He also had a shoulder problem as a senior, so the Phillies popped him as an outfielder and paid him a $772,000 bonus. His tools were evident in 2009, as managers rated him the best and fastest baserunner, best defensive outfielder and most exciting player in the South Atlantic League. Gose earns 70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale for three tools: his arm, his center-field defense and his speed. He led the minor leagues with 76 steals in 96 attempts, and he'll be even more dangerous as he gets on base more often and refines his basestealing instincts. His arm helped him rack up 13 assists, third among SAL outfielders. Despite hitting just two homers in 2009, he has solid-average raw power. His weakest tool is his bat, and Gose will need time to rework his offensive approach and improve his pitch recognition. His power gets him in trouble as he takes wild hacks at times. He gives away too many at-bats and lacks a two-strike approach. The Phillies believe in Gose and will give him plenty of time to learn and improve, but he may need 2,000 minor league at-bats. Some scouts liken his offensive upside to that of Carl Crawford, and Gose would have more defensive value. He'll advance to high Class A in 2010.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #15 prospect in 2009
  Many scouts in Southern California thought of Gose as a pitcher first, seeing some Scott Kazmir or Billy Wagner possibilities with his smallish frame and big fastball. He ran it up to 97 mph early in prep games, but shoulder issues that required an MRI in mid-April ended his pitching opportunities. Limited to DH, Gose had a strong spring with the bat and the Phillies took him in the second round as a hitter, giving him a $772,000 bonus. He profiles extremely well as a center fielder. He's one of the organization's best runners and athletes, covering 60 yards in 6.5 seconds and showing plus-plus arm strength when healthy. Wolever and his staff believe in Gose's bat, saying that his hands work, he uses his hips in his swing and has some strength in his hands, with room to grow. The Phillies think Gose will hit for average power, and some in the organization are even more optimistic. They also acknowledge that if Gose's bat doesn't pan out, he can always go back to the mound as a power-armed reliever. Gose will have a chance to earn a spot on the Lakewood roster for 2009 but could join Anthony Hewitt in extended spring and later at Williamsport.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #8 prospect in 2012
  One of the most electric players in the minors, Gose has three well above-average tools in his speed, arm and center-field defense. He narrowly lost out to Reno's Adam Eaton as the PCL's most exciting player in our annual Best Tools survey of league managers. The question with Gose is if he can provide consistent production at the plate. While he cut down his strikeout rate in 2012, he still fanned 101 times in 102 Triple-A games and struggled mightily in the majors. He has some power, but he'd be better off cutting down his swing, toning down his aggressive approach and concentration on putting the ball in play to take advantage of his speed.
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  Ranked Eastern League #3 prospect in 2011
  Another ex-Phillies farmhand now with the Blue Jays, Gose went to the Astros in a trade for Roy Oswalt and then to Toronto straight up for Brett Wallace. His approach remains very raw by Double-A standards and several managers chafed at his exuberance and unnecessary mustard, but his tools are undeniable. Gose has the bat speed to produce power and nearly doubled his previous career high with 16 homers. Already a plus-plus runner, he improved his basestealing technique and cut his caught stealings from a minor league-high 32 in 2010 to 15 this year while topping the EL with 70 swipes. He's a potential impact defender with tremendous closing speed and an above-average throwing arm. "I always think he plays too shallow, but you never see one hit over his head," Richmond manager Dave Machemer said.
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  Ranked Florida State League #8 prospect in 2010
  A year after he led the minors with 76 stolen bases, Gose found that his reputation had preceded him. Every FSL team knew he was one of the fastest players in the minors, and they used his aggressiveness against him by holding the ball and by relying on slide-step deliveries. He led the league with 45 steals but also topped the minors by getting caught 32 times. He changed teams twice in a matter of hours in July, going from the Phillies to the Astros as part of a package for Roy Oswalt before Houston sent him to the Blue Jays for Brett Wallace. Gose is raw offensively, as he lacks discipline and pitch recognition, but Toronto was pleased by his desire and effort to work on his hitting. While he has some power potential--he led the FSL with 13 triples--he needs to focus on getting on base. Gose is much more polished defensively. He was the best center fielder in the FSL, with the speed to run down balls in the gaps and an above-average, accurate arm.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #13 prospect in 2009
  Managers considered Gose the SAL's most exciting player because of his speed. "When he's on first base," Young said, "he's already in scoring position." Gose led the minors with 76 steals and drew comparisons to Carl Crawford for his package of all-around tools. Gose's speed translates well to defense, where he plays a very shallow center field. He reads the ball well off the bat, takes good routes and covers a lot of ground. He was clocked at 97 off the mound in the high school, and he uses that strong arm to his advantage. At the plate, Gose is a bit of a free swinger and strikes out too much, but gets out of slumps quicker than most players because he can play the slap-and-bunt game. He also projects to produce some power once he fills out and gets a better feel for hitting. Add in his plus makeup--he's a jovial player who likes to have fun and doesn't get done--and there's not much not to like. "The No. 1 thing that separates him from other players is confidence," Wathan said. "He could strikeout three times and come in the next day acting like he had four hits. His mental aptitude is through the roof."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #39 prospect in 2012

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: While Gose ran his fastball up to 97 mph in high school, shoulder problems and his desire to play every day in pro ball prompted the Phillies to take him as an outfielder in the second round of the 2008 draft. The Blue Jays coveted him during Roy Halladay trade talks in mid-2009, but Philadelphia balked. Toronto wound up with Gose a year later when he went to the Astros in a package for Roy Oswalt and Houston immediately flipped him for Brett Wallace. Scouting Report: Gose has three tools that rate at least at 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale in his speed, center-field defense and arm. He led the Eastern League with 70 steals in 2011 while succeeding at a career-high 82 percent clip. Gose dramatically raised his walk rate in Double-A, though he has yet to hit for a high average because he's overly aggressive and racks up plenty of strikeouts. The Blue Jays believe he'll hit better as he gains experience and quiets his approach. He has enough strength to have average power, and his 16 homers in 2011 nearly doubled his total from his first three pro seasons. The Future: If Gose can be just an average hitter, his other tools would make him a valuable major leaguer. After a season in Triple-A, he could find himself patroling center field at Rogers Centre at some point in 2013.