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Who Should The Pittsburgh Pirates Target In A Potential Trade With The Nationals?

By Marty Leap

Aug 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) runs the bases on his way to scoring a run against the Houston Astros during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) runs the bases on his way to scoring a run against the Houston Astros during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Right-handed starting pitcher Joe Ross

During the 2015 season one of Washington’s top prospects made his Major League debut. I am talking about right-handed starting pitcher Joe Ross. And there are few young starting pitchers in the Major Leagues with higher upside than Ross.

In two Major League seasons Joe Ross has made 32 starts and pitched in 35 games. Ross has pitched 181 2/3 innings averaging 8.03 K/9, 2.48 BB/9, 0.79 HR/9, and he owns a WHIP of 1.22. This has led to him posting a 3.52 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 3.76 xFIP, and a 3.4 WAR through his first two Major League seasons.

Joe Ross has better control than most young pitchers, and he does not allow very man home runs. Both of these qualities are always good ones to have. During his young career Ross owns a 45.5 percent ground ball rate and he has hit just eight batters.

The best pitch that Ross throws is a filthy slider.In his career opposing hitters own just a .157 batting average, .199 wOBA, and a wRC+ of 30 off of it. He also throws a plus change up and features a sinking fastball.

Joe Ross comes with five years of team control. Due to this, he would be a great addition to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation both now and in the future. He is a player I would be targeting if I were Neal Huntington.

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