Former Phillies outfield prospect returns to majors as reliever

Anthony Gose once was a Phillies outfield prospect. He’s now a lefty reliever.

A former Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect traded 11 years ago — before debuting and playing a combined 372 games with the Toronto Blue Jays (2012-14) and Detroit Tigers (2015-16) — has returned to the majors … as a reliever.

On Monday, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi confirmed that the Cleveland Indians promoted Anthony Gose, a former 2008 second-round draft pick by the Phillies.

The now-31-year-old previously pitched in 11 games as a Tigers minor-leaguer in 2017, 27 games in the Rangers system in 2018, and 32 games in the Indians system in 2019. Gose also logged 47 plate appearances while with the Rangers three years ago, and slashed .238/.283/.286.

This season, Gose was fully committed to resurrecting his career on the mound — and his efforts paid off in a big way, while reaching near-100 miles per hour on the radar gun. Across 28 games and 33 innings at Triple-A Columbus, Gose recorded a 6-1 record, 3.55 ERA, two saves, a 49-28 strikeouts-to-walks ratio, and a .172/.333/.328 opposing slash line.

Of the left-hander’s 20 hits allowed to his 144 batters faced, he surrendered only four home runs.

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The California native recently played with Team United States during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. Appearing in the semifinal game opposite Korea, Gose helped Team USA secure silver by tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

The Phillies drafted Gose just months before their 2008 World Series championship. Two years later, they traded him to the Houston Astros, as part of the trade to acquire Roy Oswalt. J.A. Happ — the last remaining active 2008 Phillie — as well as current Mets infielder Jonathan Villar (then also a Phillies prospect) were the others dealt to the Astros in the swap for Oswalt. Gose did not remain an Astros prospect for long, however, as they immediately traded him to the Blue Jays.

Gose played in two-plus seasons as a Phillies minor-leaguer, including 103 games in 2010 with the Clearwater Threshers — when he slashed .263/.325/.385 with 17 doubles, 11 triples, four home runs, 21 RBI, 36 stolen bases, 32 walks, and 103 strikeouts across 461 plate appearances.

Baseball is a unique sport that provides unheard-of success stories. Consider the 33-year-old rookie Chris Coste, or Jamie Moyer pitching into his late 40s. Gose going from an outfielder to a reliever, 13 years since the Phillies drafted him, is surely the latest one for the books.