Benton Moss
| IP | 416 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.18 |
| WHIP | 1.166 |
| BB/9 | 2.034 |
| SO/9 | 7.745 |
- Full name Thomas Benton Moss
- Born 02/21/1993 in Tarboro, NC
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 193 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School North Carolina
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Drafted in the 6th round (178th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015 (signed for $167,500).
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The Giants took a shot at Moss in the 15th round in 2014, but the academically-inclined Moss chose to return to North Carolina. Moss showed very well at times this spring, though he still lacks the consistency for scouts to peg him as starter long term. His fastball worked mostly at 89-92 this spring, and he touched 95 early in the year before experiencing forearm tightness. His late-breaking curveball came and went, but early in games it showed above-average potential. Moss's changeup became a weapon for him at times, but like the rest of his stuff, it lacked the consistency for scouts to feel convicted about him as a starter. Furthermore, while Moss does have a four-year track record as a starter in the ACC, he has not pitched deep into the summer, and his delivery and frame also raise questions about his ability to start. Ultimately, Moss projects as very solid middle reliever, though he could end up developing into a back-of-the-rotation starter.
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Draft Prospects
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The Giants took a shot at Moss in the 15th round in 2014, but the academically-inclined Moss chose to return to North Carolina. Moss showed very well at times this spring, though he still lacks the consistency for scouts to peg him as starter long term. His fastball worked mostly at 89-92 this spring, and he touched 95 early in the year before experiencing forearm tightness. His late-breaking curveball came and went, but early in games it showed above-average potential. Moss's changeup became a weapon for him at times, but like the rest of his stuff, it lacked the consistency for scouts to feel convicted about him as a starter. Furthermore, while Moss does have a four-year track record as a starter in the ACC, he has not pitched deep into the summer, and his delivery and frame also raise questions about his ability to start. Ultimately, Moss projects as very solid middle reliever, though he could end up developing into a back-of-the-rotation starter. -
Moss was regarded as a premium talent out of high school but was not drafted because he was strongly committed to North Carolina on a full academic scholarship. A three-year starter for the Tar Heels, Moss has focused on academics the last two summers so he could graduate in less than four years. He knows how to attack hitters, and changes where he sets up on the rubber depending on which side of the plate the hitter is on. His fastball sits 88-92 mph, touching 94 with downhill plane, though it can be flat. His curveball flashes above-average but is inconsistent. He typically uses his changeup only against lefthanded hitters but it shows average potential, and he has worked in a slider as well. Moss has more control than command and scouts say he doesn't throw enough strikes for his stuff to profile in the rotation. He has walked three hitters per nine for his career against 8.7 strikeouts per nine, though his strikeout rate dropped to 7.3 this season. He has a sleek, athletic build at 6-foot-2, 174 pounds and is unlikely to add a lot more strength to his slender frame.
