Sox interested in David Ross

[jacksonianmarch]

This is per WEEI.

 

Ross, 31, is an interesting player. He's more of a lighter hitting offensive minded catcher. He isnt a great catcher by any means. And the fact that the terrible Cincinnati Reds released him should send up warning flags. But some interesting stats this yr for Ross.

 

Lets take a look at his career playing time. Well, he made his MLB debut in 2002 with the dodgers, he was nothing more than a Sept callup. Since then, he's been with LA, PIT, and CIN. His maximum games played was 112 in 2007 and he put up the line of .203/.271/.399. His best season came in 2006 when he hit .255/.353/.579 with 21HR in 247ABs. Now this yr. He's only appeared in 52 games (134AB ) but he has more walks this yr (32) than he had in his longest season of his career (2006, 30). His BA is right around his career norm, but his OBP is insane this season (.381). This is way above his career IsoPatience of .087. If you plot out his 162 game average for his career, he'd hit 23 homers and over the last 2.5 seasons, he's hit 41HRs in just 692ABs.

 

In short, he seems like mix of a Doug Mirabelli defensively and a younger version of Jason Varitek's aged self prior to this yrs collapse. Sounds like a serviceable backup who could use the wall well and potentially be a solid platoon mate with a young left handed catcher (like Kottaras). I'd do it if I were the sox. It would provide protection if Vtek left and allow for a guy with a good eye and occasional power to be in the lineup half the time. We'll see what they do

[jacksonianmarch]

Also, over the 3 yr span of 05-07, his OPS vs lefties was .895. This yr it is surprisingly worse than his righty split.

[BoSox21]

unless he can catch a knuckleball (or Wakefield's injury is worse than anticipated), this would force the Sox to keep 3 catchers on the roster unless he's signed to a minor-league deal, is sent to 'Tucket and gets called up Sept. 1st

[The Dustball]

Eh, no thanks. Cash may not be the greatest hitting backup catcher but he's servicable and good with Wake.

[BoSox21]

if he comes up Sept. 1st though, Ross provides a decent pinch-hitting option for Varitek

[TheKilo]

Cash can be optioned to Pawtucket.

[TheKilo]

Ross this season:

 

.231/.381/.366/.747

[TheKilo]

This is per WEEI.

 

Ross, 31, is an interesting player. He's more of a lighter hitting offensive minded catcher. He isnt a great catcher by any means. And the fact that the terrible Cincinnati Reds released him should send up warning flags. But some interesting stats this yr for Ross.

 

 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/David_Ross

 

Assets

Hits left-handers and righties with good power. Has outstanding defensive skills, good game-calling ability and a plus arm behind the plate.

 

Besides didn't they just call up a catcher and hasn't their management said they prefer Paul Bako anyway?

[BoSox21]

Cash can be optioned to Pawtucket.

 

right, but can Ross catch a knuckleball?

[TheKilo]

right' date=' but can Ross catch a knuckleball?[/quote']

 

Hitting a baseball > catching a knuckleball.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Who the hell 'prefers' Paul Bako?

 

Oh wait, I'd take Bako at the plate over Tek right now.

[TheKilo]

I think it's because of the work Bako has done with their younger pitchers. Could be mistaken.

[BoSox21]

Hitting a baseball > catching a knuckleball.

 

granted, but that would apply if Ross was a perennial .270 hitter at the very least. We're talking a guy who's career high is .255 and who is hitting .231 this season....in the NL

 

either way, this could all prove to be moot if Tek keeps this up...

[Dojji]

granted, but that would apply if Ross was a perennial .270 hitter at the very least. We're talking a guy who's career high is .255 and who is hitting .231 this season....in the NL

 

either way, this could all prove to be moot if Tek keeps this up...

 

Batting average is a dead stat, chief. Ross has always had a very high OBP and fits well with the Sox' stated preference for a guy who knows how to take a walk. If the D is good he should get himself a trial with the knuckler. Ross's receiving skills are supposedly good, so it couldn't hurt to give him a shot, especially if Cash has an option.

 

WCS Ross is a failed experiment and we cut him adrift. Net cost to the Sox, about a few thousand dollars. Even f we lose Cash over it, no biggy as we still have Brown.

 

So the downside here is very small and I see some possible upside if Ross might represent an upgrade at the dish.

[rician blast]

I think Diana Ross hits the ball better than this f***er. No thanks.

[Dojji]

I think Diana Ross hits the ball better than this f***er. No thanks.

 

Ahh, the sweet sweet innocence of an uninformed opinion. <_>

 

For the record, Ross has better offensive numbers than either Cash or Varitek.

[riverside sluggers]

http://soxprospects.blogspot.com/2008/08/buchholz-demoted-to-portland.html

 

According to sox propsects, Ross has been signed to Pawtucket and will be the 3rd catcher once rosters expand

[rician blast]

Ahh, the sweet sweet innocence of an uninformed opinion. <_>

 

For the record, Ross has better offensive numbers than either Cash or Varitek.

 

Ahhh, the unnecessary use of sarcasm. Perhaps my Betsy Ross comparison was a bit off the mark...we all know she couldn't hit the curve ball...plus rumor has it she was "a little sew and sew."

 

Quoting what was clearly a joke and labelling me uninformed because of that joke is a little weak, though, dontcha think? There are better ways to make your point than through sarcasm <_ i can take it so let move on. ftr before my post had reviewed his stats current and historical point was this kid is no offensive juggernaut. while numbers being better than tek or cash year might impress some given the performances of incumbents think that not saying much.>

 

Jokes aside, this was my take (not nearly as uninformed as you implied) when I looked at his numbers:

Ross is a career .223 hitter, career OBP of .310. His current line of around .230/.380 is well above his norm, and at 31 I'm of the mind that he isn't going to start peaking now...I think he is what he is and that's a very average backup catcher who has had numerous chances to grab a permanent slot with 4 NL teams in the last 4 years but for some reason can't stick. Yes, his numbers are better than Cash (historically and this year) and better than Tek (this year). But I don't recall hearing any glowing reports about his defense (just going on recollection) and it's likely he doesn't call a game as well as Tek, so I'm thinking he'd represent a lateral move in terms of a backup. I'd like to see something more from the Sox FO.

 

That said, is it possible he learns to catch the knuckler, or that Wake is gone after this year and it's not an issue? Sure. And does he, maybe, start to put it together in terms of offense and get to where he can hang in the realm of .230/.350? I suppose so, but don't expect that level of performance. So maybe he works out in the long run...at the moment, however, I don't see it. As one who roots for the name on front of the jersey, with him in the mix, I hope I am totally off base and that the guy flourishes, to the benefit of the Red Sox.

 

JOMHO (just one man's humble opinion)

[VA Sox Fan]

Yeah, like riverside sluggers posted:

 

 

Report: Sox sign catcher Ross to minor-league deal

 

Posted by Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff August 21, 2008 09:14 AM

 

(AP)

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that the Red Sox have signed catcher David Ross to a minor-league contract, according to major-league sources:

 

Ross, 31, drew interest from the Red Sox and Phillies after getting released by the Reds. He will report to Class AAA and eventually become the Sox's third catcher behind Jason Varitek and Kevin Cash.

The Sox would need to promote Ross by Aug. 31 to make him eligible for their post-season roster. Ross also could be added for the playoffs if Varitek or Cash were injured. ...

 

The Red Sox will be his fifth team, and first in the American League.

 

 

Ross hit 17 homers in 311 ABs in 2007, and 21 homers in 247 ABs in 2006. He also owns a .381 OBP this season, despite hitting .231 with 3 homers (52 games of action).

[Cocos Disciples]

Hey, alright, not bad.

[Youk Of The Nation]

This will be the move that vaults the Sox into first place. Now all we need is Craig Counsell, Reggie Abercrombie, and one of Floridas' middle relievers, and we've got ourselves a CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM!

 

Oh, and bring back Nomar, Millar, and Lenny DiNardo.