San Diego Padres Need To Find A Spot For Tyson Ross

The San Diego Padres have a litany of starting pitching options. Tyson Ross has shown in the past that he can be an effective pitcher and isn’t that far removed from being one. If he can show that he still has something left in the tank, the Friars need to find a spot for him.

In his first appearance of the spring for the San Diego Padres, 30-year-old righthander Tyson Ross received mixed-reviews. He went two innings, struck out four, but allowed two hits and two earned runs, one of which was a long home run.

Even with the expected nerves of beginning his second stint with the Padres and trying to revive his once-promising MLB career, Tyson Ross did well. He was able to get himself back on track after facing adversity and keep moving forward.

That’s what it’s all about, right? Padres manager Andy Green is seemingly rooting for Ross to recapture the stuff that led him to sub-3.30 ERA’s in 2011 (2.75), 2013 (3.17), 2014 (2.81), and 2015 (3.26).

After injuries (including thoracic-outlet syndrome surgery in October 2016) limited him to just eleven starts over the last two seasons (one in 2016, 10 in 2017 with Texas), Ross is back with the San Diego Padres and is looking to get back to where he was just a few short seasons ago.

From 2013 to 2015 Tyson Ross was arguably one of the best pitchers in the National League. Over 99 appearances (80 starts), his ERA was an impressive 3.08 and his combined WAR for those three seasons alone was 6.8.

Coming back to the franchise that he thrived with only a few seasons ago should give Ross an added sense of security and comfortability as he begins his trek back to relevance.

San Diego Padres welcome back Tyson Ross with open arms

After being released in September by the Rangers and signing a minor-league deal with the Padres in December, Tyson Ross has now been given a second lease on his baseball life. He’s gone into Peoria, AZ with only one goal in mind, to make this team.

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If Andy Green sees enough out of Ross in his Cactus League appearances to justify giving him a roster spot, the San Diego Padres young pitching staff would benefit considerably, in my opinion.

Having another veteran voice in the clubhouse, in addition to Clayton Richard, would be huge for young flamethrowers Dinelson Lamet and Luis Perdomo.

If Ross can lend any sort of help to Lamet and he can keep improving at the rate he has been, it would be huge.

If he can help Perdomo harness his talent (and his command) and show a little more consistency, there’s a very good chance that no matter how many appearances Ross makes or what his ERA may be by the time October rolls around, his presence could ultimately have a very positive effect on this Friars pitching staff.

Next: Veteran Padres Lineup Sparks First ST Win

If Tyson Ross can make his way back to being the pitcher he once was, the potential benefits the Friars could reap could be limitless. Veteran leadership plus effectiveness could equal to a significant advance in the development of these young Padres hurlers.