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[Jamie Cameron]

Ben Ross has an exceptional athletic profile and had the type of breakout in his final season in college that should have Twins fans paying attention to his performance in 2023. Come and read about the 144th pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and why he's 'one to watch'.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

‘In these rounds, you’re looking for something special, something unique’, Sean Johnson, Scouting Director for the Minnesota Twins offered, reflecting on day 2 of the 2022 MLB Draft. Johnson went on to highlight the organization's focus on unique tools coupled with breakout performances as two elements used to hone in on talent. In Ben Ross, the Twins landed a prospect with plenty of interesting clay to mold. 

With the 144th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Twins selected Ben Ross, a shortstop out of Notre Dame College in Ohio. The school only started its baseball program in 2005. In 2013, they jumped from NAIA to Division II. Hence, Ross was not ranked in Baseball America’s Top 500 prospects heading into the draft. He signed for the Twins for $220,000, significant savings on the $398,500 draft slot. The savings from Ross and others were later applied to talented shortstop Omari Daniel, who the Twins pried away from a commitment to Oregon, in the 14th round.

Scouting Notes
Ross is a 6’1 shortstop and an exceptional athlete. While Ross may not have been highly ranked on draft boards, he’s exactly the kind of breakout athlete the Twins target on Day 2 of the draft. Ross has a compact swing and is short to the ball. Ross had an all-around breakout in his final season at Notre Dame College, putting together 14 home runs, 60 RBI, a .747 SLG, and 15 stolen bases in 17 attempts in 52 games. Not bad.

Ross’s breakout continued in the summer in advance of the draft after playing in the Northwoods League (a college wood bat league). Ross hit .421/.502/.649 with 10 HR, 27 BB, and 28 K. Ross has a plus run tool and is an intelligent base runner and successful base stealer. He has an above-average arm and an athletic profile that could play all over the diamond. Ross’s swing is such that he should be able to continue his power breakout with a short, powerful stroke.

Ben Ross debuted in late 2022, playing two games of Rookie ball before being promoted to Low-A Fort Myers. In his first 22 games, Ross managed a .371 OBP (.817 OPS), with three homers and 13 RBI. Ross was also 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts, an impressive debut for the 21-year-old.

Likely to Start At: Low-A Fort Myers
It’s likely Ross begins 2023 with a deep group of young prospects at Fort Myers. He will have a whole season to show he can continue to translate his exceptional athleticism into tangible developments on the field. Some fans might grumble at Ross’s low ranking or placement on pre-draft lists; I’d argue he’s a name to watch in the low minors in 2023. 

What did you think of the Ben Ross pick? What do you think his ceiling is with the Twins?

For more Ben Ross content on Twins Daily, click here. 

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[Cory Engelhardt]

He is exciting Jamie. Awesome article! Have a great day!

[roger]

Interesting young man, Jamie.  Thanks.

Many great players come from lesser known beginnings.  In a couple years we will know if Mr. Ross is one of them.  Must say it sure was an interesting start to his career.

[terrydactyls]

"Some fans might grumble at Ross's low ranking or placement on pre-draft lists"

Really?  He has already become a Twin.  Why complain that he wasn't ranked higher prior to the draft?  That "low" ranking may have the reason he was available for the Twins at pick #144.  And, IMHO, as soon as the signing is complete, what you do on the field is the only thing that matters.

[Dman]

I am very intrigued by Ross and while you don't see many D2 kids drafted that high, his Cape numbers indicate the skills he has play just fine at higher levels of competition.

Everything is a SSS right now so hard to get a read on much but his pro ball debut was good and he is even holding his own in spring training (not many chances I think 6 PA) with an .821 OPS mainly made up of walks.  Still every time you look at his numbers he seems to be doing well and honestly he should be in way over his head in spring training.

He is a bit skinny and or has a slighter build than I thought he would, but he also appears to run well and as noted earlier has a good eye at the plate. If his level of contact is as good as his past results I think the Twins might have gotten a steal in the 5th round as he has the skills of a player taken late first round to early second IMO.  Still there is risk just based on the fact that his level of competition wasn't the same as your typical D1 player and his build is lean so not sure how that projects out.  I really liked the pick where they got him and with a good full year in pro ball he could rise up prospect lists real quick.

I am bullish on the pick and hoping he just keeps putting up the same numbers he has in the past.  

[Ricky Vaughn]

Looks good so far. The fact he did so well with a wooden bat is a plus.  If your a team that needs to depend on home grown talent then you need to be able to pick out the good players in the lower rounds. The Twins have been able to do this in the past. Its the early picks they have struggled with, but it appears they are getting better in this regard too.

[jmlease1]

Good scouting can find players at D-II that can become quality prospects and team assets. Louie Varland seems to have worked out pretty well coming from D-II. They spotted a player they saw real upside in that they could sign below slot, freeing up money to sign another player above slot that might have stayed in school. Sounds like good business to me.

Should be fun to see what kind of pro Ben Ross is going to be, and it'll be a nice feather for the scouting department if he grows into a serious prospect. A good athlete who has shown promise of a quality hit tool might be a guy you can turn into something. decent enough power numbers for the FSL in his first taste, so I'm interested in seeing what kind of player he is. wonder if he'll stick at SS?

[Bodie]

10 HR, 27 BB & 28 Ks. (Northwoods League)

An interesting prospect if only that he seems to understand that NOTHING good happens after that 3rd strike...

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I'm rooting for him.

 

"We'll be hearing from that kid, and I don't mean a postcard"

[Jocko87]

Also rooting for him but he profiles as the perfect looks interesting trade chip that can get over valued at the deadline.  Better than even money we never see him in Minnesota as a Twin.  He's at an unfortunate age in that unless he goes nuclear he will be stuck behind Correa, Lee, Lewis, Martin, Julian, Schobel etc but to old to be in the next wave of Salas, Noah Miller and whoever else is drafted. 

[MN_ExPat]

8 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

Also rooting for him but he profiles as the perfect looks interesting trade chip that can get over valued at the deadline.  Better than even money we never see him in Minnesota as a Twin.  He's at an unfortunate age in that unless he goes nuclear he will be stuck behind Correa, Lee, Lewis, Martin, Julian, Schobel etc but to old to be in the next wave of Salas, Noah Miller and whoever else is drafted. 

You just pretty much described the (almost) whole of MiLB .