It’s one of those things that you often hear about but no one can really explain where it comes from. It goes by several different names and although it may be difficult to define or explain, when you talk about it, everyone knows exactly what you mean. Some call it poise, some call it mound presence, some call it composure, some even say that it’s having ice water in your veins – and you either have it or you don’t.

Ross Stripling has it.

But where did it come from? How do you get it?

“That’s a good question, as far as where it comes from,” Stripling said after Thursday night’s exciting come-from-behind 5-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. “I was able to pitch in some big spotlights in college, I pitched in Omaha in the College World Series in front of 40,000 plus maybe, so, you know, that’s a good question. It might just be the way my parents raised me or something.

“I’m just not a crazy, hyped-up guy. I’m obviously out there nervous – my heart’s beating like crazy – but it doesn’t show, so that’s good to know I guess,” Stripling added. “But it’s a good thing to have. … Just to be able to go out and throw strikes and know that I can do that and compete at this level, that’s obviously huge for the confidence.”

Stripling was absolutely brilliant in his second major league start on Thursday night – again.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Although Stripling has now had two no-decisions in as many starts, he was once again absolutely brilliant on the mound on Thursday night, allowing only two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out five through his six innings of work. Combined with his incredible 7.1 no-hit innings in his major league debut against the Giants last week, Stripling now boasts a very impressive 2.03 ERA and 0.750 WHIP.

“I think that it’s great, it’s great,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “But I think that when you look at the guys we have on the team that really put their arms around [Stripling], and you look at A.J. [Ellis] as far as a veteran catcher who’s just got a great way about him who’s kind of helped break Ross in; and [Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt] just such a way about him as well. So I think that you look at all these components – for any young player breaking in with our club – it makes it a little bit easier.”

After his clutch pinch-hit RBI single, Justin Turner comes around to score on Kiké Hernandez’s eventual game-winning two-run double on Thursday night.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Even veteran reliever J.P. Howell, who was the lucky recipient of the Dodgers explosive four-run seventh inning to collect his first win after a rather difficult start to the new season, had high praise for Stripling.

“His composure for me stands out the best,” Howell said. “And then the ability to bounce the ball back and forth, throw the fastball underneath guys, even lefties, and getting his hook (curveball) over for a strikes and balls whenever he wants and that’s huge – especially when you’re first starting out. When you show you can do that, the hitter’s not going to be that aggressive and go after pitches they really don’t like to go after.”

Here again, whatever it is or however you get it, there is little doubt that it’s going to lead Ross Stripling to a very successful and undoubtedly lucrative major league career.

…and for that, I say congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Stripling for the way that you raised your son.