Oakland A’s manager Bob Geren nearly blew another game by having Tyson Ross come into the ballgame to face Delmon Young of the Minnesota Twins. With Joe Mauer on base via a free pass, in came Ross to face the right-handed hitting Young.
Ross immediately fell behind 2-0 to the free-swinging Young. The next pitch that Ross threw was the last one he would for the game, he gave up a two-run home run that went out of the park in a hurry.
There’s really one simple solution to help Ross though because during the season he has been used as a reliever and a spot starter. Ultimately, Ross is seen as a starter but is currently in the bullpen due to the injuries the A’s have suffered this season.
In the first few games of the season Ross looked good and that he belonged in the Major Leagues. As the season has progressed it has become clear that he is not ready for the Major Leagues.
He has great stuff, specifically his fastball which reaches 95 mph plus and a nice slider. The problem is that he hasn’t been able to consistently throw strikes and he’s been hit.
So far he’s appeared in 17 games as a reliever and two games as a starter. For the season he’s got a 1-4 record with a 6.14 ERA, one save, 22 strikeouts to 13 walks, and 29.1 innings pitched.
Over the past six appearances for Ross, he has given up four hits, seven runs, and has pitched 2.2 innings. Half of the appearances has resulted in Ross not recording an out and his record in that span is 0-2.
In the last eight games, Ross has a record of 0-4. He threw an additional 7.2 innings giving up 10 hits and six runs.
With his current struggles it is clear that Ross needs to be sent down to Triple-A Sacramento to work on his command, and most of all, his confidence. With Michael Wuertz back it would allow for Ross to be sent down.
Then the A’s could either call up another reliever from Sacramento such as Jon Hunton who currently has a 2.32 ERA in 21 games or Sam Demel who has a 1.04 ERA and five saves.
If not another reliever to take the place of Ross a starter could be brought up such as Clayton Mortenson with a 7-2 record, 4.30 ERA, and 49 strikeouts to 25 walks.
Vin Mazarro could get another chance in the rotation if he can consistently throw strikes.
Even Kyle Mittleton who has appeared in 11 games with five of those being starts, he could be a perfect fit to take the place of the struggling Ross because he could be used as a long reliever.
If Geren and the A’s continue to use Ross as he struggles more and more at the Major League level, he could lose confidence in his abilities and never live up to the expectations that were held for him.
So, the A’s need to send Ross down to Sacramento so he can get the confidence to succeed as a starter or reliever at the Major League level.
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