David Ross

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Ross is the backup to Brian McCann and last year became the personal catcher for Jair Jurrjens. He's got decent power and draws enough walks that his batting average shouldn't be a drag if he gets extended at-bats.

2011

Ross provides a solid backup to Brian McCann and offers some pop at the plate. He draws enough walks that his batting average shouldn't be a drag if he gets extended at-bats. However, McCann's durability limits his playing time.

2010

Ross has good power for a backup catcher and draws walks, which should prevent his batting average from being a drag. He's got upside if he gets extended playing time, but doesn't get many at-bats behind Brian McCann.

2009

Ross played little for the Reds before being traded to Boston where he played even less. He dropped from 17 homers to just three as he went from a starter to backup. He hooked on with the Braves to back up Brian McCann, most likely playing on Sundays and against select lefties.

2008

Ross never did get himself out of the hole he dug with an extended early season slump, at least in terms of hitting for average, which isn't his strongest suit to begin with. Even in such a down year, he hit 17 homers, so he wasn't entirely worthless, but those homers came at a price in 2007. He does a great job of controlling the running game, so he won't lose too much playing time even when he's not hitting.

2007

Ross' big breakout with the Reds didn't come completely out of the blue—he slugged .556 in a 40-game sample for the Dodgers in 2003. The onus will be on him to produce over the course of a full season in 2007, following the trade of Jason LaRue. A small decline should be expected.

2006

Ross didn't step up to claim Benito Santiago's starting job with the Pirates last year, but he did hit well in a September call-up after being traded to the Padres midseason. The depth chart at catcher is still in flux for San Diego, but in leagues deep enough to draft backup catchers, you could do worse.

2005

Ross didn't do much last year with the opportunity for increased playing time after the Paul Lo Duca trade to Florida. The Dodgers are expected to acquire a catcher either through free agency or trade. Ross will have to try to win a backup job.

2004

Ross was a nice surprise for the Dodgers. After playing poorly at the beginning of the year in Las Vegas, the team called him up due to an injury to Todd Hundley and found they had a reliable backup catcher with some pop. Ross finished the year with 10 home runs and will battle Hundley for the backup catcher's spot.

2003

If the Dodgers have a strength (and that's debatable), it must be at catcher. With the Hundley trade, Ross sits third on the depth chart despite having a nice season at AAA hitting .297/.384/.519. Plenty of teams would welcome him in a backup role.