Red Sox take a chance on reclamation project Daniel Gossett

The Red Sox signed pitcher Daniel Gossett to a minor league deal

The Boston Red Sox have continued to find ways to bolster their minor league system in any way possible, this time in the form of signing Daniel Gossett to a minor league contract. The former Oakland A’s pitcher will join the Red Sox organization as a non-roster invitee this coming spring training, hoping to show the organization that he can provide some depth for the franchise down in Triple-A Worcester.

The right-hander was initially drafted by Boston in the 16th round of the 2011 draft but opted to play college baseball for Clemson. The hard work paid off as his draft stock rose throughout his years as a college athlete and the A’s selected him in the second round of the 2014 draft.

Gossett made his minor league debut in 2014 at the age of 21 appearing in 12 games for Oakland’s Low A affiliate, posting a 2.25 ERA. The following year, he pitched a full season in Single-A, regressing to the tune of a 5-13 record with a 4.73 ERA over 144.2 innings pitched. He eventually managed to get things to click during the 2016 season that saw him pitch at three different levels (High A, Double-A, and Triple-A) where he compiled a 10-6 record and 2.69 ERA over 153.2 innings pitched.

Gossett was on the fast track to being a regular in the A’s rotation, but lackluster results over a span of two seasons in the majors did not do him any favors. The right-hander produced a 5.91 ERA over 115.2 innings pitched between 2017-18, before his career took a setback.

In July of 2018, Gossett underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his season after only five starts. He had gotten back to throwing live batting practice at Oakland’s alternate site before being released in July of 2020.

While bouncing back from Tommy John is a tough feat for many pitchers who have undergone the surgery in the past, this transaction is yet another complementary move to further bolster Boston’s farm system in hopes of having effective depth in times of need.

Gossett’s stats during two seasons with Oakland did not reflect the promise that the 28-year-old showed over the course of his minor league career, but there is still reason to believe the right-hander can possibly work his way back to being effective enough to get another chance in the majors with the Red Sox.

While his numbers in the minor leagues look pretty solid, he was unable to carry that success over to the big leagues. He now appears to be fully healthy after being two years removed from surgery. He is likely to start the 2021 season with Triple-A Worcester should he have a successful spring training, and has found himself back with the organization that originally scouted him ten years ago. The organization has continued to utilize the under the radar method in adding talent this offseason. This time, adding more pitching to the mix. Gossett will now join an ever-growing group of non-roster invitees that the organization will evaluate in hopes of finding a hidden gem to stow away in their system for a later date.