The Guardians made a couple of roster strikes in the present day, with Mandy Bell of MLB.com amongst these to relay them on X. Left-hander Anthony Gose has been chosen to the roster with fellow lefty Logan Allen optioned in a corresponding transfer. Righty Xzavion Curry was designated for task to open a 40-man roster spot for Gose.
Gose, 33, has had one of many extra exceptional profession arcs amongst present large leaguers. Initially a second-round choose again in 2008 and a longtime high prospect as an outfielder, he was traded a number of instances early in his profession (most notably to the Astros in change for Roy Oswalt) whereas struggling to seek out his footing on the plate. Gose by no means did set up himself as the kind of top-of-the-order speedster many felt he might turn out to be — although definitely not for lack of alternative. In 1252 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and Tigers, he batted simply .240/.309/.348 with a 28.2% strikeout price.
After years of struggles within the batter’s field, Gose — a two-way star in highschool who additionally drew draft consideration as a pitcher — moved to the mound in 2017. By 2018, he’d turn out to be a full-time pitcher within the Rangers’ minor league ranks, and he landed with Cleveland on a minor league pact heading into the 2019 season. He spent a number of years working with the Guards’ extremely regarded pitching improvement program, honing his mound expertise and making it again to the large leagues in 2021, this time as a reliever brandishing a scorching triple-digit heater.
From 2021-22, Gose pitched 27 2/3 innings with a 3.90 ERA, 31.9% strikeout price and 13.8% stroll price. Command was nonetheless a difficulty, however Gose averaged 97.6 mph on his four-seamer, steadily topped 100mph and posted a tantalizing 15.1% swinging-strike price in his new position. Sadly, he’s additionally turn out to be acclimated with one of the vital grueling facets of life as a pitcher: rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure. Gose suffered a torn UCL in 2022, had surgical procedure, and inked a two-year minor league contract to return to the Guardians that winter.
Gose missed all the 2023 season whereas recovering from surgical procedure. He’s been wholesome in 2024 although, logging 38 1/3 frames with a 3.29 ERA in Columbus. Command continues to be a difficulty for him, evidenced by a sky-high 14.3% stroll price, however Gose can also be nonetheless lacking bats in droves; he’s fanned 34.2% of his opponents and registered an eye-popping 17.8% swinging-strike price. With Sam Hentges presently on the injured listing, Gose will give supervisor Stephen Vogt a second southpaw choice alongside Tim Herrin in what has been the very best bullpen in Main League Baseball this yr.
As for Curry, he was a 2019 seventh-rounder who pitched his method up the group’s prospect rankings and made his option to the large leagues in 2022. Whereas he was by no means touted as among the finest pitching prospects within the sport, he did climb to No. 22 inside Cleveland’s system as lately as final yr, per Baseball America.
Nonetheless, the leads to the majors haven’t been there for Curry, who lately turned 26. He’s pitched 129 MLB frames and been tagged for a 4.53 ERA general — together with an unsightly 5.84 mark in 24 2/3 innings this season. He’s displayed good command (7.3% stroll price) however struggled to overlook bats (15.2% strikeout price) towards extra superior hitters, which was a part of the priority with how he’d fare within the large leagues. Curry’s fastball usually sits 92-93 mph, and opponents have feasted on his curveball (.321/.355/.607). He’s additionally struggled in Triple-A (5.59 ERA in components of two seasons) however posted robust run-prevention and Ok-BB numbers up by way of the Double-A degree.
With the commerce deadline having handed, the Guardians haven’t any selection however to position Curry on waivers or launch him. He’s within the second of three minor league choice years, so a membership in want of some optionable depth on the beginning employees or in an extended reduction position might place a declare and hope {that a} change of surroundings brings out a brand new gear. Granted, few organizations have higher observe data of optimizing pitcher efficiency than Cleveland, so maybe it’s not cheap to anticipate one other workforce to unlock a brand new tier of efficiency. However there’s additionally little to no value in rolling the cube, notably for one of many many deadline sellers that noticed a number of spots on the 40-man roster open up when buying and selling veterans for younger prospects.
