The Phillies announced they’ve claimed left-hander Scott Moss off waivers from the Guardians. The 27-year-old was one of seven players Cleveland designated for assignment last week. The Phils’ 40-man roster is now full.
Moss has yet to make his major league debut. A former fourth-round pick of the Reds, the southpaw has appeared on the back two-thirds of Cincinnati and Cleveland organizational top 30 prospects lists at Baseball America in each of the past four seasons. Entering 2021, BA wrote that Moss can run his fastball up to 94 MPH and has a plus slider but inconsistent control.
His minor league numbers largely reflect that profile, as Moss has typically run strong strikeout rates but issued far too many walks. The 6’6″ southpaw has a 3.13 ERA in 112 Double-A frames and a 4.62 mark over 39 innings at Triple-A. At the minors’ top level, he’s fanned an impressive 30% of opponents but also doled out free passes at an alarming 13.3% clip. While Moss has worked almost exclusively as a starting pitcher to this point in his pro career, those control woes could hint at a big league future in the bullpen. He has one minor league option year remaining, meaning the Phils can keep him at Triple-A Lehigh Valley through the end of next season so long as he remains on their 40-man roster.
Solid pickup. Young and plenty of upside . Good job Phillies
27 is still considered young?
Funny
Moss just grows on you
Looks like a power lefty that sometimes struggles with walks. Decent flier to take. They are finally building depth.
Don’t we already have a hard throwing lefty who issues too many walks in our bullpen? Maybe Alvarado and Moss can exchange notes. Still, a cost-nothing shot that could pay off if all breaks right.
Step right up, step right up! Who wants to be the first one to comment on this post, that they’re not gonna call them the Guardians, and they’re going to still call them the Indians!?!?
Turns out it was you.
What, you can’t even say the word Indians now? I was referring to the non stop rush of people that can’t wait to say that on every post regarding them. Nice try though, Bob.
Yes. And as Rob stated… it was you who brought it up first. Please try and keep up with your own joke.
The Cleveland Guardians are a roller derby team
Web site is clevelandguardians.com
I wonder why he’s never been called up before? He had some decent minor league stats up until 2021. He’s 27 years old now; maybe he’ll prove to be a late bloomer. Wish him well in Philly!
He would have been pitching for Cleveland this year, but strained his back in spring training…and had several nagging injuries all season.
Very good pick up with possibilities.
Didn’t pitch in ‘20 and threw very few innings in ‘21. Looks like a roster crunch by the Indians who pump out a ton of arms. They’ve also received a lot of quantity back in their trades. Most deals have been 3-4 prospects for 1-2 major leaguers.
Somewhat surprised the Spiders let Moss go.
The Guardians have better options that they needed 40 man roster space for. What do the Richmond Spiders have to do with anything?
Maybe. This is the risk that’s there when you have a deep system. Guys potentially don’t get to have an opportunity before they’re gone because there’s other arms there.
Cleveland has added a ton of players to a deep system with their deals the last few seasons. Moss may wind up a useful piece
Mick Jagger never thought he was very good.
Rolling Stones gather no Moss?!
well, that’s 40. would’ve liked to make a R5 selection, but rolling the dice on Moss isnt a bad idea (would’ve preferred Barnes though).
There’s still hope that the Phillies find a way to trade Alvarado. 22% walk rate is too much
as long as he doesnt inherit runners his issues are no worse than most RPs. most outings are fine, but occasionally falls to pieces.
Moss pretty much a rule 5. Just one time hat can be optioned. Most that are taken in rule 5 now have similar or less upside. I thought he could have been a backend option for reds
granted, but I’d rather take the field over some of the guys on our 40.
If the Phillies see someone they like in the Rule 5 draft, they’ll make room for him. To wit, they could release Moss just as quickly. Sure wish there was a solid CF dude out there for the taking.
FWIW: I’m a Cleveland fan. From what I read Cleveland was hoping to retain him on a minor league contract and bring him to Spring Training.
Moss is no big loss for Cleveland. His minor league numbers coming up were decent and at the time they acquired him from the Reds I thought he could be a poor man’s Robbie Ray (before he won the Cy Young). But then he missed almost all of last season with injuries, struggled when he was healthy, and would have likely been a reliever at best in their organization.
Good for him to be getting a better chance with a team that could be better suited to use him, but the Guardians DFAed him for a reason too.
If Cleveland had their druthers, I am sure they would rather have been able to call Moss up this year instead of rushing JC Mejia to the majors. It really was unfortunate timing for him to get hurt, because he would have gotten a lot of opportunities with how much the Guardians struggled with injuries and underperformance with their starters.
We’ll take him. Thanks, ‘dians! (I’m trying stay above the Ind/Guard fray…)
Solid pickup. Love these small moves the Phil’s have been makin so far.
The mistake the phillies made is not claiming Gilberto Jiminez from Red Sox. He is the kind of player the phillies need in the outfield. While he hasnt gotten past low A. He will be a late season call up this year. The phillies scouting and development is such a mess maybe GJ is glad he didnt end up with Phillies.
Ok. Can the Phillies STOP adding guys with control issues !! Same ole stupidity by management