Talented and available
Jul 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Tyson Ross(38) reacts after getting doused by starting pitcher
Andrew Cashner(34) as Cashner laughs after the Padres completed a three game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a complete game shutout from Ross at Petco Park. The Padres won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
I really do feel bad for the Padres. They remind me of the Raiders of the MLB, except they also play in a ballpark that is just not a good place for hitters. They traded away a young superstar in Anthony Rizzo, and Chase Headley was never able to replicate his breakout year. But they do have two extraordinary young pitchers in Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross. Both players put together great 2013 seasons but really took flight in 2014, and now I want to continue the tried and true tradition of pillaging the Padres for all of their talent.
The 27 year old Ross started the 2013 season by winning the fifth rotation spot but quickly found himself sent to the minors due to a shoulder injury. Upon returning, he was assigned to a bullpen role to help aid his rehab. San Diego’s careful handling of it’s young ace paid off, and Ross returned to the rotation in late July to resounding success, making 13 more starts and posting a 2.93 ERA over that span, improving his season ERA to 3.17. In 2014, he returned with a vengeance proving that he could maintain those numbers across a full season, finishing 2014 with a 13-14 record, a 2.81 ERA, 185 K’s in 185.1 IP and 2.4 WAR.
Cashner followed a slightly different path, pitching a full season in 2013 and recording a 10-9 record, 2.4 WAR and 3.09 ERA in 175 IP. He got off to a roaring start in 2014 with a 2.35 ERA through his first nine starts, but after that he would begin to struggle with injuries. He would not pitch throughout the rest of May and only made three starts in June before missing all of July and most of August. Cashner returned and picked up right where he left off however, finishing 2014 with a 2.55 ERA across 19 starts and 123 IP. PetCo Park is definitely conducive to pitchers, but both of these young starters are talented and would make for impressive additions to the 2015 Red Sox.