After spending the first five seasons of his major league career as an outfielder, Anthony Gose appears to be headed to a pretty dramatic position change.
The Tigers trimmed their roster on Sunday and Gose was among those reassigned to minor league camp. After finding out, the 26-year-old approached the team about possibly becoming a pitcher.
Gose approached Tigers about possibly pitching, according to Brad Ausmus.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 26, 2017
Gose does have experience on the mound, having spent time as a pitcher during his high school days. ESPN’s Keith Law, who saw Gose in high school, thought he had a chance to work out of the bullpen.
“Saw him up to 97, super fast arm, violent delivery,” Law told the Detroit Free Press. “Thought he was probably a reliever in the end but better chances than as a hitter.”
Last season, Gose played in 30 games for the Tigers, hitting just .209 with 38 strikeouts. He also spent 90 games in the minor leagues, splitting time between the Triple-A and Double-A levels, where he posted a combined .203 average with 129 strikeouts.
If he’s able to make the transition to pitcher from position player, Gose will join a list that includes Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers, who was at one time a catcher for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic and is now perhaps the best closer in baseball.
