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Washington Nationals Reaction: Joe Ross Impressive in Season Debut, So What’s Next?

By Matt Weyrich

Apr 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) throws to the Miami Marlins during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) throws to the Miami Marlins during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 4-2 Sunday behind seven innings of one-run ball by Joe Ross. What could the 22-year old have in store for the 2016 season?

It may have only been his first outing of the year, but Joe Ross already has opponents on their heels to kick off the new campaign. The former first round pick dazzled all afternoon after getting off to a rough start in the first inning. He finished the day having thrown seven innings, allowing one run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 97 pitches.

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What was working for Ross? According to the data over at Brooks Baseball, the California native threw his sinker 70.1 percent of the time, up from 57.5 percent last season. He was much more effective when he threw it Sunday, earning a strike call 33.8 percent of the times he threw the pitch (22.6 percent in 2015).

What made Joe Ross so effective was not just his sinker, but the development of his slider as a secondary pitch. Marlins hitters were only able to put the pitch in play four times throughout the game, and all four balls were on the ground. Quick groundball outs kept the game moving and allowed Ross pitch to pitch deeper into the game.

Miami’s lineup features All-Stars like Dee Gordon and Giancarlo Stanton, so holding them at bay is no easy task. After being roughed up in his final Spring Training start before the season, not many were sure what to expect from Ross heading into his first start.

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While Ross has plenty of upside, there are some who believe his lack of experience could come back to bite him by the end of the season. He logged a career-high 152.2 innings between the minors and MLB last year, and was beginning to show signs of fatigue as the season went on.

On the other hand, the Nats’ 22-year old right hander has displayed the ability to make adjustments at the big league level, and his arm strength will develop as he progresses throughout his young career. He handled the Miami offense with ease, and will be looking to carry over that success throughout this season.

Next: Nats Player Of The Week (4/4-4/10); Daniel Murphy

When he was first traded to Washington, ESPN’s Keith Law said Ross has the talent to “profile as at least a good No. 3 starter, perhaps even a No. 2 starter.” Former Nats GM and ESPN analyst Jim Bowden wrote that he displayed “No. 2-starter potential” just last week. What’s does Joe Ross have in mind for the 2016 season? That remains to be seen, but after setting down 12 of 13 hitters at one point yesterday, he may just be getting started.

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