Ross Stripling

{{Infobox MLB player

|name = Ross Stripling

|image = Ross Stripling in 2018 (2).jpg

|image_size =

|width =

|caption = Stripling with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018

|team =

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|11|23}}

|birth_place = Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 8

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=September 28

|finalyear=2024

|finalteam=Oakland Athletics

|statyear =

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 40–54

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.17

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 741

|teams =

Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2022}})
San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2023}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2024}})

| awards =

All-Star (2018)

}}

Thomas Ross Stripling (born November 23, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics.

Stripling played college baseball at Texas A&M University before the Dodgers selected him in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2016, and was an All-Star in 2018.

Amateur career

Stripling played high school baseball at Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://12thman.com/sports/baseball/roster/ross-stripling/2435|title=Ross Stripling – Baseball|website=Texas A&M Athletics - 12thMan.com}} In baseball, he did not pitch until a broken leg prior to his senior season in 2008 left him unable to play in the infield, and as a pitcher he was 14–0 with a 1.60 ERA, as in 107 innings he led the Dallas/Fort Worth area with 156 strikeouts. He was named first-team all-state, and a member of the North Texas all-star team. He also played basketball for the school as a forward, and football as a wide receiver, winning the Texas 5A state title and the national championship. Scholastically, he graduated summa cum laude and 11th in his class of 600+.

Stripling enrolled at Texas A&M University and played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies. In 2011, he led the country in wins and was 14–2 with a 2.29 ERA in 24 games (16 starts) in which he threw 125.2 innings with 113 strikeouts (third in the Big 12 Conference), with an 0.867 WHIP (fourth), 6.5 hits/9 innings (ninth), 1.3 walks/9 innings (second), and 6.28 strikeouts/walk (third).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?id=53c02304&type=pitch|title=2011 Big 12 Conference Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He threw a no-hitter for the Aggies against San Diego State on May 12, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/aggies/article/A-amp-M-s-Stripling-tosses-no-hitter-against-San-3554273.php |title=A&M's Stripling tosses no-hitter against San Diego State |date=May 12, 2012 |publisher=Chron.com |access-date=August 31, 2013}} He was named an All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings First Team, Collegiate Baseball (Third Team), and College Baseball Insider (Honorable Mention), as well as a third team Capital One Academic All-American and first team Academic All-Big 12.

Stripling was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/colleges/post/_/id/4678114/slc-ex-ross-stripling-hurls-no-hitter-for-am | title=SLC-ex Ross Stripling hurls no-hitter for A&M | date=May 13, 2012 }} Returning to Texas A&M for his senior year in 2012, he finished the year second in the conference in wins with a 10–4 record and a 3.08 ERA in 16 starts covering 125.2 innings in which he struck out 120 batters (third in the Big 12 Conference), with an 0.987 ERA (eighth), 1.4 walks/9 innings (fourth), and a 6.32 strikeout/walk ratio (second).{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/dodgers-announce-selections-from-mlb-draft-060512|title=Dodgers announce selections from MLB Draft|first1=foxsports|last1=Jun 5|first2=2012 at 6:12p|last2=ET|date=June 5, 2012|website=FOX Sports}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?id=04217e6b&type=pitch|title=2012 Big 12 Conference Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

Professional career

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Stripling in the fifth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed for a signing bonus of $130,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/151463/|title=Ross Stripling - Stats - The Baseball Cube|website=TheBaseballCube.com}}{{cite web |url=http://www.kbtx.com/sports/texasam/headlines/Stripling_Selected_in_5th_Round_of_MLB_Draft_157370315.html |title=Stripling Selected in 5th Round of MLB Draft |publisher=Kbtx.com |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319105949/http://www.kbtx.com/sports/texasam/headlines/Stripling_Selected_in_5th_Round_of_MLB_Draft_157370315.html |archive-date=March 19, 2014 }} He was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts in May 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/5/11/251023/Pitcher-Ross-Stripling-Debuts-As.aspx |title=Pitcher Ross Stripling Debuts As Lookouts Edge Mobile Saturday, 4–1 |publisher=Chattanoogan.com |date=May 11, 2013 |access-date=August 31, 2013}} and was selected to the mid-season Southern League All-Star Game.{{cite web|last=Stephen

|first=Eric |date=July 2, 2013|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/2/4487922/joc-pederson-zach-lee-southern-league-all-stars-dodgers-minor-league|title=Joc Pederson, Zach Lee lead Chattanooga contingent on Southern League All-Star team|work=truebluela.com}} He finished the season 6–4 with a 2.78 ERA in 21 games (16 starts).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=stripl000tho|title=Ross Stripling minor league statistics & history|work=Baseball Reference}}

Stripling was given a non roster invitation to spring training in 2014, but came down with a sore arm after his first game action. He turned out to have a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire season.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2014/03/04/ross-stripling-will-have-tommy-john-surgery-tomorrow/|title=Ross Stripling will have Tommy John surgery tomorrow.|first=J.P.|last=Hoornstra|work=Inside the Dodgers|date=March 4, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2014}} He rejoined the Double–A Tulsa Drillers during mid-season in 2015 and finished 3–6 with a 3.88 ERA in 14 starts. On November 20, 2015, the Dodgers added Stripling to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/157798348/jharel-cotton-ross-stripling-added-to-40-man|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121140311/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/157798348/jharel-cotton-ross-stripling-added-to-40-man|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2015|title=Cotton, Stripling added to 40-man roster|work=mlb.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=November 22, 2015}}

Stripling made the Dodgers' Opening Day roster for 2016 as the fifth starter.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/1/11350588/ross-stripling-dodgers-fifth-starter-don-sutton|title=Ross Stripling named Dodgers 5th starter|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=April 1, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} After several injuries to established pitchers, he beat out other Dodgers prospects to make the roster.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dn-dodgers-ross-stripling-fifth-starter-20160401-story.html|title=Dodgers pick rookie Ross Stripling as No. 5 starter|newspaper=LA Times|first=Bill|last=Shaikin|date=April 1, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}}

In his major league debut, against the San Francisco Giants on April 8, 2016, Stripling pitched {{fraction|7|1|3}} innings without giving up a hit but was removed for a relief pitcher after throwing 100 pitches. He struck out four and walked four, one of whom scored against the relief pitcher.{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/171303570/ross-stripling-pulled-with-no-hitter-in-8th|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412131516/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/171303570/ross-stripling-pulled-with-no-hitter-in-8th|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2016|title=Stripling pulled with no-no in 8th, next batter homers|work=mlb.com|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016}} He picked up his first major league win against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 13, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/177957712/dodgers-win-capitalize-on-4-cardinals-errors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515110548/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/177957712/dodgers-win-capitalize-on-4-cardinals-errors|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 15, 2016|title=LA buoyed by Puig's pop, Cards' slop|work=mlb.com|first=Jack and Jenifer Langosch|last=Baer|date=May 14, 2016|access-date=May 14, 2016}} Stripling appeared in 22 games and made 14 starts for the Dodgers with a 5–9 record and 3.96 ERA in 100 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stripro01.shtml|title=Ross Stripling Statistics & History|work=Baseball Reference}} He also appeared in relief in five post-season games for the Dodgers, allowing five runs in {{fraction|2|2|3}} innings.

Stripling became a key member of the bullpen in 2017 and picked up his first save on May 27, 2017, with three scoreless innings of relief against the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170527232799818/brandon-mccarthy-leads-dodgers-shutout-of-cubs/?game_pk=490832|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531215222/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170527232799818/brandon-mccarthy-leads-dodgers-shutout-of-cubs/?game_pk=490832|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 31, 2017|title=Blanks-giving: LA carves up Cubbies again|last1=Muskat|first1=Carrie|last2=Thornton|first2=Joshua|work=mlb.com|date=May 27, 2017|access-date=May 28, 2017}} He appeared in 49 games for the Dodgers that season, including two starts, and was 3–5 with two saves and a 3.75 ERA in {{fraction|74|1|3}} innings in which he struck out 74 batters. Stripling pitched three scoreless innings over five games in the postseason, including appearances in three games of the 2017 World Series.

Coming into the 2018 season and without a clear pathway to becoming a starting pitcher he, again, began to explore the idea of starting for another team but injuries to starting pitchers in April thrust him into a starting role after 15 innings of relief. After a bullpen session with pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, he developed a hard curveball to add to his arsenal giving him a new look and making him one of the National League's ERA leaders at the break, earning him an All-Star nod for the first time in his career, replacing Miles Mikolas on the team, who was scheduled to pitch the Sunday prior to the All-Star Game.{{cite web|last1=Newport|first1=Kyle|title=Ross Stripling to Replace Miles Mikolas on 2018 MLB All-Star Team|website=Bleacher Report |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2785640-ross-stripling-to-replace-miles-mikolas-on-2018-mlb-all-star-team|date=July 11, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2018}} Stripling wound up pitching in 33 games for the Dodgers in 2018, including 21 starts, and was 8–6 with a 3.02 ERA in 122 innings with 22 walks (1.6 walks per 9 innings) and 136 strikeouts, and a strikeout/walk ratio of 6.18. His walk rate was in the lowest 4% among major league pitchers.{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/ross-stripling-548389?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb|title=Ross Stripling Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com|website=baseballsavant.com}}

In 2019, he again alternated between starting and relieving, appearing in 32 games (15 starts), and was 4–4 with a 3.47 ERA and 93 strikeouts in {{fraction|90|2|3}} innings. He had a ratio of 4.65 strikeouts/walk.

Stripling agreed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $2.1 million, contract for 2020, avoiding arbitration.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/cody-bellinger-arbitration-record|title=Bellinger sets 1st-year arbitration record|work=MLB.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=January 10, 2020|access-date=January 11, 2020}} In early 2020, Stripling and Joc Pederson were nearly traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Luis Rengifo, but the trade fell through.{{Cite web|title=No regrets? Looking back at the derailed trade between the Dodgers and Angels|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2020-08-13/dodgers-angels-trade-joc-pederson-ross-stripling-luis-rengifo|access-date=September 17, 2024|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en}} In seven starts for the Dodgers in the pandemic-abbreviated season of 2020, Stripling was 3–1 with a 5.61 ERA in {{fraction|33|2|3}} innings.

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On August 31, 2020, Stripling was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Kendall Williams and another player to be named later (Ryan Noda).{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-trade-ross-stripling-to-blue-jays|title=Dodgers send Stripling to Blue Jays|work=mlb.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=August 31, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020}} With the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Stripling appeared in five games, compiling an 0–2 record with a 6.32 ERA and 13 strikeouts in {{fraction|15|2|3}} innings pitched. Between the two teams, he was 3–3 with a 5.84 ERA in 12 games (9 starts) in which he threw {{fraction|49|1|3}} innings and struck out 40 batters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stripl000tho|title=Ross Stripling College & Minor Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} His former team, the Dodgers won the World Series that season, and gave Stripling a World Series ring the following August.{{cite web |url=https://am570lasports.iheart.com/content/2021-08-12-ross-stripling-receives-his-world-series-championship-ring-from-dodgers/ |title=Ross Stripling Receives His World Series Championship Ring From Dodgers |last=Demeke |first=Matthew |date=August 12, 2021 |website=am570lasports.iheart.com/ |publisher=KLAC |access-date=August 31, 2022}}

In 2021, he recorded a 5–7 record with a 4.80 ERA and 94 strikeouts along with 30 walks in {{frac|101|1|3}} innings in 24 games (19 starts).

On August 17, 2022, Stripling had a perfect game going against the Baltimore Orioles, before it was broken up on his first pitch of the seventh inning. This was the second time in four days that a perfect game was pitched against the Orioles through six or more innings.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

In 2022, he was 10–4 with a 3.01 ERA in 32 games (24 starts) covering a career-high {{fraction|134|1|3}} innings, in which he gave up 20 walks (1.3 walks/9 innings) and struck out 111 batters. He had a WHIP of 1.020, and a strikeout/walk ratio of 5.55. His walk rate was in the lowest 2% among major league pitchers.

=San Francisco Giants=

On December 13, 2022, Stripling signed a two-year $25 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, with an opt-out after the 2023 season.{{cite web|title=Giants agree to two-year contract with RHP Ross Stripling|url=https://www.mlb.com/giants/press-release/giants-agree-to-two-year-contract-with-rhp-ross-stripling|work=MLB.com|date=December 13, 2022|accessdate=December 13, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/ross-stripling-believes-giants-fit-perfect-told-he-will-be-starter|title=Stripling explains why Giants are 'perfect' fit for him|website=RSN|date=December 13, 2022 }} He went on the injured list in August with a 5.29 ERA over 19 games pitched, 11 of them starts.{{Cite web |title=Stripling '100% committed' to returning to Giants in 2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/giants-ross-stripling-plans-to-opt-in-for-2024 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Stripling finished the season with an 0-5 record and a 5.36 ERA and did not opt out of the $12.5 million salary for the 2024 season.{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2023 |title=Conforto and Stripling turn down opt outs with Giants, who exercise option on Cobb |url=https://apnews.com/article/conforto-stripling-cobb-giants-options-01e32a634ae9845287df07469d816d31 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On February 2, 2024, the Giants traded Stripling and cash considerations to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Jonah Cox.{{cite web|last=Guardado|first=Maria|title=Giants acquire OF prospect Cox from A's for Stripling|url=https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/giants-trade-ross-stripling-to-a-s-for-prospect-jonah-cox|work=MLB.com|date=February 2, 2024|access-date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite news |title=A's sign LHP Alex Wood, acquire RHP Ross Stripling from Giants |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39445050/a-sign-lhp-alex-wood-acquire-rhp-ross-stripling-giants |access-date=February 4, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=February 2, 2024}} On August 14, after struggling to a 2–11 record and 5.72 ERA in 14 starts for Oakland, Stripling was moved to the bullpen.{{Cite web|title=A's Remove Ross Stripling From Rotation|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/a-s-remove-ross-stripling-from-rotation-01j57gr11r2f|access-date=August 15, 2024|website=si.com|language=en}} In 22 total appearances for Oakland, he compiled a 2-11 record and 6.01 ERA with 49 strikeouts across {{fraction|85|1|3}} innings pitched.

=Kansas City Royals=

On February 19, 2025, Stripling signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.{{Cite web|title=Royals Sign Ross Stripling To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/royals-sign-ross-stripling-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=February 19, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He requested and was granted his release by the Royals on March 23, after failing to make the Opening Day roster.{{Cite web|title=Royals Release Ross Stripling, Luke Maile|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/royals-release-ross-stripling-luke-maile.html|access-date=March 23, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

On May 5, 2025, Stripling announced his retirement from professional baseball via multiple social media posts.{{cite news |title=Pitcher Ross Stripling retires after nine MLB seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45011535/pitcher-ross-stripling-retires-nine-mlb-seasons |access-date=May 5, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=May 5, 2025}}

Personal life

Stripling married his longtime girlfriend, Shelby Gassiott, on November 11, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.dodgersnation.com/which-dodgers-got-married-offsesaon-ht0696/2018/01/10/|title=Which Dodgers Got Married This Off-Season?|work=Dodgers Nation|first=Hunter|last=Thompson|date=January 10, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2018}} They live in Houston during the offseason.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ross-stripling-pitches-financial-advice-pandemic-70909985|title=Ross Stripling pitches ... financial advice during pandemic|website=ABC News}}

Stripling earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Texas A&M, and is a FINRA-licensed stockbroker and investment advisor.{{ cite web |title= Dodgers' Ross Stripling: Pitcher and Licensed Stockbroker |last= Rocco |first= Matthew |date= October 18, 2016 |url= https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/dodgers-ross-stripling-pitcher-and-licensed-stockbroker |publisher= Fox Business Network |access-date= September 23, 2018 }} He passed the Series 7 exam in 2016 and the Series 66 exam in 2017.{{ cite web |title= Thomas Ross Stripling |url= https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/6580103 |work=BrokerCheck |publisher= Financial Industry Regulatory Authority |access-date= September 23, 2018 }} On January 31, 2019, Stripling appeared on Fox Business Network and contributed commentary regarding the markets before fielding questions regarding his major league debut and baseball analytics.{{Cite web|url=http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/5996896927001/|title=LA Dodgers all-star pitcher Ross Stripling I'm telling investors it's a good time to be patient and long-term minded|website=Fox Business|date=January 31, 2019 |language=en|access-date=June 24, 2019}} He trades stocks regularly, even during the baseball season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dodgersnation.com/the-wolf-of-dodgers-street-ross-stripling-visits-the-new-york-stock-exchange-ce1110/2018/06/22/|title=The Wolf of Dodgers Street: Ross Stripling Visits The New York Stock Exchange|date=June 22, 2018|website=Dodgers Nation}}