David Ross

David Ross is in his second season with the Cubs, having helped the club to the postseason in 2015 ... marked the sixth time he's advanced to the playoffs (also with the Dodgers in 2004, the Braves in 2010 and 2012 and the Red Sox in 2008 and 2013) ... the catcher is a veteran of all or part of 14 major league seasons with the Dodgers (2002-04), Pirates (2005), Padres (2005), Reds (2006-08), Red Sox (2008, 2013-14), Braves (2009-12) and Cubs. In the last 11 seasons dating to 2005, has thrown out 36.1 percent of attempted base stealers (132-of-397), the second-best rate among active major league catchers, minimum 600 games behind the plate (Yadier Molina, 44.4). In a five-season stretch from 2009-14, recorded a 3.29 catcher's ERA, the best five-year stretch from a catcher in MLB since 1998 ... in that span, Boston's Clay Buchholz (1.73 ERA) and Jon Lester (2.77 ERA), as well as Atlanta's Kris Medlen (1.54 ERA) and Craig Kimbrel (0.00 ERA), excelled while pitching to him. Hit .261 (177-for-679) with 41 doubles, two triples, 28 homers and 104 RBI in 263 games from 2009-12, ranking second among N.L. catchers (min. 600 plate appearances) with a .463 slugging mark to Buster Posey (.503). From 2006-07, ranked second among N.L. catchers with 38 homers for the Reds, including a career-high 21 blasts in 2006. Received the 2013 Good Guy Award from the Boston Baseball Writers. Owns a 3.11 catcher's ERA in 16 career postseason games behind the plate (12 starts). Started seven games for the Red Sox in their 2013 postseason run to the World Series title, including each of the final three contests and all four World Series wins. Selected by the Dodgers in the 19th round of the 1995 June Draft, but did not sign ... again selected by the Dodgers, this time in the seventh round of the 1998 June Draft. Attended Auburn University from 1996-97 and was a member of the 1997 Tigers team that went to the College World Series ... transferred to the University of Florida as a junior in 1998 ... with the Gators, hit .332 with 21 doubles, 19 homers and 69 RBI to help his squad advance to the College World Series. w Teammates on his 1998 Gators team included major leaguers Josh Fogg, Mark Ellis and Brad Wilkerson. Graduated from Florida High School in Tallahassee. While with Boston, was active with the Red Sox Foundation, the team's charitable arm ... also visited victims of the Boston Marathon bombings in the hospital.

*Courtesy ChicagoSportsHQ.com