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From ESPN's John Sickels' Down on the Farm column:
Steve S. writes: I've recently noticed a guy whom I've not seen mentioned previously, but who is putting up good power/speed numbers on Detroit's Double-A team, named Cody Ross. Can you tell me your thoughts on him and whether or not he looks to be a big-time prospect? He seems to be young enough at 21 in Double-A with good numbers, so I'm surprised I've not seen any news on him.
Ross is a sleeper, and we should be hearing more about him over the next few months. As you mention, he is putting up intriguing power/speed numbers this year at Double-A Erie. He's hitting .289/.353./.540 through 79 games, with 15 steals to go with his 16 homers and 21 doubles. He isn't extremely patient, drawing just 26 walks so far in 328 plate appearances, but he doesn't strike out excessively, which gives him a good chance to control the strike zone at higher levels. At age 21, he has lots of development time left. His walk rate was a bit higher in A-ball than it has been in Double-A, and in the long run, I don't think plate discipline will be an insurmountable problem for him.
Ross was drafted in the fourth round in 1999, out of high school in New Mexico. At 5-11, 180, he isn't a big toolsy physical monster that makes scouts sweat. But he has good athletic ability, works his tail off, and shows sound baseball instincts. I like him quite a bit.
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