First of all I would like to wish all of you out there a happy and safe Valentines day. Fellows, don’t forget about your special ladies today. Yeah, I did just write that.
There has been some discussion about Robbie Ross fighting for a rotation spot, as there is talk about several guys making it as the fifth starter for the Rangers this spring. Lets take a look at the pros and cons of moving Robbie from the bull pen to the rotation.
Pros:
Robbie was a starter for his entire minor league career. He pitched in sixty-nine games in all
levels of the minors, and he started sixty-eight of them. He has a career ERA in the minors of 2.88. Pretty good. He wants to be a starter and he obviously works hard. He showed everyone he was ready for the majors last season during spring training when he made this team out of camp and never looked back. He had an ERA of 2.22 in 2012, all of it with the Rangers. Robbie is a young left-hander with a whole lot of upside, and I do believe that he is going to be converted into a starter at some point.
Cons:
As stated above, Robbie was a huge asset to the Rangers bull pen in 2012 and with the losses of arms like Mike Adams and Koji Uehara, the Rangers are going to need him in the pen this season. A good left-handed setup man is very important, and Robbie is that. IF Michael Kirkman can come through, than Robbie may have a shot to be in the rotation, but if Kirkman struggles once again, than Ross’ chances of making the rotation go way down. His age and lack of experience is also another con.
All in all, Robbie’s chances of breaking camp as the fifth starter are decent, but he also has to depend on the talent and work ethic of others to make the leap.
