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Star-Bulletin Sports


Monday, September 10, 2001


[ PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL ]



Ross wants another cup
of coffee from busy Braves


By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.com

Jason Ross experienced a small taste of the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves at the end of spring training and that whetted his appetite to make it back to the top.

In six spring training games for the Braves, he was 4-for-9 with two triples and got to play in Atlanta's Turner Field not far from his home in Athens, Ga.

However, his fortunes hit a down draft when he was assigned to the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, Richmond, Va., in the International League.

"It's been a difficult year with highs and lows," Ross said. "The experience in the big leagues was tremendous."

"I'm used to being an everyday player, but they kept signing free agents. I hit well to start the season in Triple-A and did what I do defensively which is one of my pluses. But, after a while, I was only playing once or twice in a series, which was new to me."

Ross started to struggle at the plate. His batting average dropped steadily. Not knowing what his role was and not playing every day threw him for a loop. The feeling that he was a vital member of the team was missing.

The Braves finally sent him to Greenville, S.C., in the Double-A Southern League. Ross viewed the move as better than being released. He felt the Braves still liked him as a player and it was a matter of getting his confidence back.

At Greenville, he started to hit again. He hit with power and even batted in the leadoff spot because he could steal bases for a team that didn't have much speed.

He worked on walking more, which requires a solid understanding of the strike zone and could help the former Hawaii football and baseball player to achieve more consistency at the plate, one of the minuses he has battled to overcome during his pro career.

"Baseball was never my sport. It was football. I'm still learning how to hit," Ross said. "I feel I have the five tools to compete at the major league level. What is holding me down is hitting consistently."

He has played all three outfield positions, but right field is where he camps out most often as a pro because of his strong arm.

Ross, who will be a sixth-year free agent after next season, is now waiting to hear if his agent can find a job for him in winter ball. He wants to work on being less of a streak hitter and more of a day-in, day-out contributor at the plate.

He also has a strong interest in how the Wahine volleyball team fares this season. His sister-in-law is outside hitter Nohea Tano.


Jason Ross' career statistics

Height: 6-4.
Weight: 215.
Throws: Right.
Bats: Right.
Schools: Westside (Augusta, Ga.) H.S., Hawaii

Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB Avg.

1996-Danville, Appalachian 43 149 26 40 8 1 3 20 6 .268

1996-Macon, South Atlantic 5 19 2 3 0 0 1 3 1 .158

1997-Macon-South Atlantic 112 430 70 111 20 5 9 59 16 .258

1998-Danville, Carolina 115 378 36 80 14 3 6 34 11 .212

1999-Myrtle Beach, Carolina 133 482 80 129 23 13 12 64 31 .268

2000-Greenville, Southern 73 251 32 63 16 0 12 26 13 .251

2001-Richmond, International 49 125 15 26 5 1 5 7 3 .208

2001-Greenville, Southern 63 187 27 48 7 1 11 30 15 .257

Minor League Totals 593 2,021 288 500 93 24 59 243 96 .247

Highlights

>> Drafted in the 11th round by the Florida Marlins, June 5, 1995. Did not sign.

>> Drafted in the 13th round (382nd overall) by the Atlanta Braves, June 4, 1996. Signed June 9, 1996.

>> Set a Danville record for most total bases in one game (10) in 1996.

>> Led the Carolina League in triples (13) in 1999.

>> Led Myrtle Beach in stolen bases (31) and strikeouts (136) and tied for the team lead in runs (80) in 1999.

>> On the disabled list from the start of the season to June 5, 2000.



This is part of a series profiling professional baseball players from Hawaii. Tomorrow, Kauai's Tyler Yates will be featured.



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