Anthony Gose’s Astros debut is a wild one

Anthony Gose did not make a great first impression in his Astros debut.

Technically, Anthony Gose has not logged any innings this spring. However, he made his highly anticipated debut with the Astros today. It turned the well-pitched game by Justin Verlander into a wild affair. Gose faced three batters, walking all three of them. As normally happens, all three of them scored.

It took Gose 19 pitches to walk those three batters, all reaching full counts. They spoiled a few pitches, but it seemed like Gose would hit the same spot outside of the zone. Versus right-headed hitters, the pitch would tail up and away. Versus left-handers, the pitches would go low and away. Brian McTaggart said he hit 98 mph with his first pitch, but that was the fastest he threw.

Not likely to stick with the Astros.

We have to keep in mind that he is learning how to pitch again. There will be a big learning curve, A.J. Hinch talked about Gose after the game. Hinch said that Gose was throwing harder than he has in previous bullpens. He said that he was raw, but that is what is so intriguing about Gose.

Unfortunately, he struggled with command in his first start but did throw pitches in the upper 90s. With 3.5 weeks left before the season begins, it is unlikely that he makes the 25-man roster. If he doesn’t make the roster, then he would have to be offered back to the Rangers.

The Astros have a loaded roster as is; it is tough to crack it. With hopes of the playoffs again in 2018, it’s hard to see the Astros carrying Gose all year on the active roster. Gose needs to gain control of his pitches before he can even challenge Tony Sipp. Throwing 100 mph doesn’t matter if you can’t throw strikes.

Speaking of Sipp, he is quietly having a good spring training. He has not allowed a run in two innings pitched with one strikeout. Cionel Perez and Buddy Boshers have pitched well. The Astros wanted competition this spring for a lefty reliever. This could be motivating Sipp.

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Gose has to impress for the rest of spring training. The Astros are taking it slow with Gose after he was shut down last season with elbow pain. Maybe the wildness stemmed from the pressure of his first appearance with the Astros. Good luck to him, but at this moment, I see him returning to the Rangers.

***Stats from MLB.com***