Anthony Gose made his professional pitching debut in Lakeland with some heat

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Gose #12 of the Detroit Tigers poses during Photo Day on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Tony Firriolo/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anthony Gose (Tony Firriolo/Getty Images)

Catcher Christian Bethancourt grabbed the headlines in Padres Spring Training for his part-time conversion to pitching, but he wasn't the only Major Leaguer to add pitching to his resume. Anthony Gose spent 372 games with the Blue Jays and Tigers from 2012-16, and toward the end of last season, the Tigers suggested he begin working out as a left-handed pitcher.

Gose had not pitched since his days at Bellflower High School in California, not even in an emergency situation (like Bethancourt before 2017). However, he always had a strong arm in the outfield, so in March, he decided to give it a try.

Then, Gose went down to extended spring training, where he worked toward making the change. With over a month of development under his belt, the Tigers gave the go-ahead (the Gose-ahead?) for him to report to their High-A team, the Lakeland Flying Tigers, for his first taste of action on the mound.

Gose's professional pitching debut came on Monday night against the Palm Beach Cardinals. His high-octane arm was as good as advertised.

Ninety-nine from the left side is sure to open some eyes. In addition to the heater, Gose has his old curveball, which Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus called "very good."

He ended up going an inning in his first outing, allowing a run on one hit and one walk. He also registered his first career strikeout by getting Palm Beach leadoff hitter Darren Seferina to swing and miss.

It's a long way to go to reach the big league mound, but Gose is off to a fine start.