News release from the TinCaps:
Former TinCap Joe Ross makes MLB debut
Fort Wayne Pitcher from 2012, 2013 Starts for Washington Nationals
(June 6, 2015) – Joe Ross, who pitched for the Fort Wayne TinCaps in 2012 and 2013, started for the Washington Nationals against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on Saturday. He was perfect through three innings and limited the Cubs to three runs on six hits. Ross struck out four and didn’t walk a batter as he threw 91 pitches over five frames.
In need of a spot starter after playing a doubleheader earlier in the week, the Nats called up Ross, 22, from the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Ross had a 2.81 ERA in nine starts in Double-A, striking out 54 and walking only 12 in 51 1/3 innings.
It was just 21 months ago that Ross was on the mound in a TinCaps uniform. Ross first arrived in Fort Wayne in 2012 as an 18-year-old. He struggled, posting a 6.26 ERA over six starts and wound up on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. Ross finished the 2012 season with Short-Season A Eugene, but came back to the TinCaps stronger and healthier in 2013.
Ross was Fort Wayne’s Opening Day starter in 2013 and went on to become a Midwest League All-Star. He finished the year with a 3.75 ERA in 23 starts.
The Oakland, Calif., native began the 2014 campaign with the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm and was a California League All-Star before earning a promotion to the Double-A San Antonio Missions in the second half of the season.
The Padres, who selected Ross with the 25th overall pick in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft, traded the right-hander to the Nats in December. He was included in the three-team deal that brought Wil Myers from the Tampa Bay Rays to San Diego.
With Ross’ MLB debut Saturday, the number of former Fort Wayne Wizards and TinCaps to make the big leagues is 134. Ross follows Allan Dykstra ’09 and Austin Hedges ’12, who reached the show earlier this season.
Recent TinCaps to Debut in the Major Leagues
- RHP Joe Ross ’12-13 (Nationals) – June 6, 2015
- C Austin Hedges ’12 (Padres) – May 4, 2015
- RHP Leonel Campos ’13 (Padres) – September 3, 2014
- LHP Frank Garces ’12 (Padres) – August 19, 2014
- RHP Matt Stites ’12 (Diamondbacks) – June 19, 2014
- INF Jace Peterson ’12 (Padres) – April 25, 2014*
*Now with the Braves
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