Top 50 Prospects: #44 – Sonny Gray
#44 Sonny Gray
Oakland Athletics
DOB: 11/7/1989
Previous Rank: N/A
ETA: 2013
Sonny Gray receives constant knocks for being undersized, having a high-effort delivery, and lacking an average or above third pitch. We at The Sombrero have never shied away from guys with sound yet high-energy deliveries. In fact, in some cases we prefer them. Gray is one of those cases.
He is extremely athletic and has never given anyone reason to fear injury beyond the fact that he is small-bodied and very explosive. His breaking ball was the best one in the 2011 draft class, even at only 5-foot-11. His fastball can reach 97 mph, and he sits at 93-95 mph most starts. His fastball, like most short righties, has phenomenal carry and explodes through the strike zone.
Year | Age | Tm | Lg | Lev | Aff | W | L | G | GS | IP | BB | SO | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 21 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | AA-Rk | OAK | 1 | 1 | .500 | 0.82 | 6 | 6 | 22.0 | 6 | 20 |
2011 | 21 | Athletics | ARIZ | Rk | OAK | 0 | 1 | .000 | 4.50 | 1 | 1 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 |
2011 | 21 | Midland | TL | AA | OAK | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.45 | 5 | 5 | 20.0 | 6 | 18 |
1 Season | 1 | 1 | .500 | 0.82 | 6 | 6 | 22.0 | 6 | 20 |
Year | Age | Tm | Lg | Lev | Aff | IP | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 21 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | AA-Rk | OAK | 0.82 | 22.0 | 1.136 | 7.8 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 8.2 | 3.33 |
2011 | 21 | Athletics | ARIZ | Rk | OAK | 4.50 | 2.0 | 2.000 | 18.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.0 | |
2011 | 21 | Midland | TL | AA | OAK | 0.45 | 20.0 | 1.050 | 6.8 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 8.1 | 3.00 |
1 Season | 0.82 | 22.0 | 1.136 | 7.8 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 8.2 | 3.33 |
Gray reached Double-A by his second professional start and only allowed a single run in 20 innings. His peripherals were solid despite being low in quantity (18 strikeouts vs. 6 walks). Gray was one of the best pitchers in the history of Vanderbilt, and, while many scouts see a reliever or mid-rotation starter, we see two 60 pitches with a chance at a 50 third pitch, a fast mover, and ace potential. The only obstacles to overcome are public opinion and minor command issues. The Bay Area has been pretty accepting of small-bodied righties with explosive fastballs and hammer benders recently, so we think Gray will be able to solve at least one of these issues fairly easily.
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