By: Jeremy Lawless

It is safe to say the Cleveland Indians have been very creative throughout the years finding affordable talent to fill their Roster. The Indians do a very good job in the International market for baseball players to develop, especially. But this latest route has the feel of a Terrelle Pryor style transition.

Tribe Fans, meet Anthony Gose.

Gose was drafted twelve years ago in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. His 76 stolen bases in 2009 led all of Minor League Baseball that year. In 2010, Gose was traded to the Astros in the Roy Oswalt trade and then immediately traded on to the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Gose made his MLB debut on July 17, 2012 when he was called up to replace an injured Jose Bautista. Gose was the 5th ranked prospect in the Blue Jays farm system and 39th ranked prospect in the league at the time. Anthony was sent back down to AAA affiliate Buffalo when Brandon Morrow returned from the Disabled list in August. 

It went like that for awhile. Called up. Sent down. So on and so forth.

In November 2014, Gose was traded to the Detroit Tigers and Gose was the primary Centerfielder for the Motor City Kitties in 2015. He played in 140 games and hit .254 with 23 Stolen bases.

But he couldnt find a way to solidify a big league roster spot. He was sent down to AAA Toledo Mud Hens. The wheels came off for Gose.

On July 9th, 2016 Gose and Manager Lloyd McClendon got into a dugout incident and was immediately sent home during the first game of a double Header.

On July 10th, Gose refused to show up to the Mud Hens scheduled game and had cleaned out his locker.

July 13th, the Tigers decided to demote Anthony to AA following a three game suspension to give him a “fresh start”.

On January 25th, 2017 Gose cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Toledo Mud Hens and on March 26th of that year the Tigers announced that they would try to convert him to a pitcher, after he came to them with the idea.

Anthony Gose spent 2018 with the Rangers Farm system as a pitcher and the signed with the Indians on December 8th, 2018. 

Gose appeared in 32 games for the Indians Minor League affiliates Akron Rubberducks (22) and Lynchburg Hillcats (10). He recorded a 2.48 ERA with 4 saves in 29 innings pitched and 35 strikeouts combined. Left handers struggled mightily with a batting average of just .094 against the hard throwing lefty.

Chris Antonetti says, “his stuff is electric, its exciting to see. He’s touched 100mph and his secondary stuff has been really good. If he can stay in the zone we think he can attack both left-handed and right-handed hitters.”

A left handed outfielder turned pitcher that’s throws in the high 90’s and touches 100? Well, it might just be crazy enough to work.