Report: Run, Gose, Run

Last night, Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun published an article on highly-regarded New Hampshire Fisher Cats outfielder Anthony Gose, with somewhat of a twist.

“A talent evaluator who saw Gose play during the Arizona Fall League said he had a bad habit of not running out ground balls,” Elliott writes. “It’s not known if Gose’s lack of hustle would make the Jays make him available in trades.”

The article isn’t exactly headline material, considering the winter meetings — an environment rife with newsworthy leads — are currently underway, no? Our pal Kevin Gray, who covers the Fisher Cats for the New Hampshire Union Leader and author of the Gray Matter blog, thinks so as well.

“Were there times when Gose didn’t run out a ground ball? I’m sure. Is it worth a headline in the Toronto Sun? Don’t think so,” Gray opined.

In Elliott’s article, there are conflicting quotes from two scouts on the matter. One claims that “not running out ground balls is a red flag of how serious a player is about the game”, while the other simply adds that “he stole 70 bases. He’ll be OK. He’s a young kid. I like him, a lot.”

Gray, who saw his fair share of Gose this past season during the Fisher Cats’ championship-winning season, likes him as well.

“We’re talking about a dynamic player who stole 70 bases and sparked New Hampshire to an Eastern League title, played in the Arizona Fall League and kept right on going to winter ball,” he says.

“Personally, I would cut him a little slack if he didn’t run out a grounder under the Peoria sunshine. I will tell you Gose tends to lose focus during games, and he’d tell you the same thing if asked about dropping a fly ball or getting thrown out trying to steal third in at the wrong time.

“One time, the Bowie [Baysox] catcher started jawing with him at home plate, and Gose popped him in the mask with a swift jab. That’s all part of the game and part of minor-league development. He knows that. Sal Fasano knows that. Gose also has a ridiculous skillset, and the Jays aren’t complaining.”

If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Kevin on Twitter: @Graymatter11.

– JM

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