Cleveland Indians latest to be tantalized by Anthony Gose

The Cleveland Indians are the latest team to be tantalized by Anthony Gose’s potential.

Anthony Gose has always tantalized teams with his potential. A consensus top 100 prospect before the 2012 season, he was considered a possible five tool center fielder, a potential game changer in every facet of the game. However, he was unable to tap into his immense potential, failing to become the star he was expected to be.

A two way player when drafted out of high school, Gose attempted the same journey in the minors in 2018. That experiment ended following that year, as Gose focused on reinventing himself as a pitcher instead.

A minor league free agent, Gose has found a new team willing to take a chance on his potential. This time, it is the Cleveland Indians, who have inked Gose to a minor league contract with an invitation to the major league portion of Spring Training.

His 2019 campaign shows why Gose is such a tantalizing player, even in his limited experience on the mound. He posted a 2.48 ERA in his 29 innings, allowing just 16 hits and striking out 35 batters. However, there were plenty of negatives as well, as Gose issued 29 walks, hit six batters, and uncorked five wild pitches. He also allowed nine unearned runs, making his ERA somewhat deceiving.

There is the hope that Gose can figure things out on the mound. If his work in the Puerto Rican Winter League means anything, it is possible that Gose could be on the cusp of being a weapon in the Indians bullpen. In his 9.2 innings, he has allowed just two runs and eight hits while striking out 13 batters. More impressively, he has issued just three walks.

Therein lies the issue. If Gose can rein in his arsenal, and get command of his pitches, he has the arm to be a factor in the majors. If not, he will continue to languish in the minors, getting his chances because of his potential but just not putting everything together.

That potential will keep Anthony Gose in affiliated ball for at least one more year. The Cleveland Indians are the latest term to take a chance, hoping that he can put everything together.