Twins Potential 2013 Draft Pick: Jon Gray

Twins Twerp · March 20, 2013

Jonathan Gray is a 6-foot-4, 239-pound stereotypical right handed pitcher. He can throw his fastall into the triple digits and stays in the mid-to-upper 90's. He throws a hard slider at 87 mph. He needs to develop a change but his command and control are reportedly above average.

He spent a year at some Juco in Oklahoma before transferring to the Oklahoma Sooners last season. He had a decent year last year and pitched in the mid 90's. This year he has ramped up his stuff and is 4-1, with a 1.51 EA with 39 strikeouts and eight walks through 36 innings.

With Stanek taking a big dump to start the season, Gray has become a top 5 prospect and now ranks among the Appel and Manea's of the draft. My prediction is that this kid keeps up his stuff and does not even make it to the Twins. Not sure who the agent is, but I would much rather have this guy than Appel simply because of jackass Borass.

BaseballAmerica did a story on Jon recently: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/college/on-campus/2013/2614887.html. This story details his ascension to top 10 (as Jim Callis stated in a recent chat) status.

cmb0252 · March 20, 2013

For ESPN insiders keith law had a pretty good write up on Gray.

As of right now, I have Gray behind Manaea/Appel with Stanek coming in 4th. After that I see there being a big drop in college pitching talent. While this draft is super deep in college pitchers these are the only guys i see with #1-2 upside.

Also, with the two high school OFs and 3 big time college bats I definitely think one of the top 3 pitchers will make it to us.

beckmt · March 20, 2013

This guy could be very good. Hope the Twins get him.

Badsmerf · March 20, 2013

The more high-upside guys in this draft the better for the Twins. Hopefully he continues to impress!

Vervehound · March 20, 2013

i'd say gray has as good a shot as anyone to go no. 1 overall. if he does, appel would likely go to the cubs at no. 2 and then you have a huge decision by the rockies. if they do go prep bat, we'd have a shot at manaea at no.4. that would be an opportunity brought to us by scott boras.

Mike Sixel · March 20, 2013

Today, KLAW said if he had time to do it over again right now, Gray would pass Manaea....

cmb0252 · March 20, 2013

Today, KLAW said if he had time to do it over again right now, Gray would pass Manaea....

Oh yeah? I must have missed his chat. I will have to check it out.

Callis also did a chat today and he would be surprised if the Astros take Gray first and he still has Gray behind Appel /Manaea. That's the fun part of prospecting! If everyone had the same opinion where is the fun in that?

Twins Twerp · March 21, 2013

One thing I would like to know is why Gray had to go to a juco first. Was it about grades or simply to get a di scholarship a year later. With an option of Appel who goes to Stanford and a kid who had to get his grades up one would have to lean toward the Stanford kid. Just I thought I had while reading the write up about Gray.

Also sounds like the guy is a little off. The ba article talked about a super regional game last year where he showed up at the pregame breakfast in full uniform houra before the game. They later say that he went to every teammates room to promise they would't lose that day. Is this leadership or a guy showing his crazy side?

cmb0252 · March 21, 2013

Today in Laws chat someone asked him about Appel vs Gray. Appel is ranked above him due to history of performance, command, and the fact Appel could pitch as soon as September if drafted. Keith also said these are not knocks against Gray, Keith has stated he is a huge Gray fan, but more praise to Appel. He did hint that he has work ethic/conditioning concerns with Gray which is note worth.

diehardtwinsfan · March 21, 2013

I don't know why, but I keep thinking Jeff Gray and want to scream go away....

I didn't realize he was hitting 100 on his fastball at times. Not a bad option if Manea and Appel are taken.

Jeremy Nygaard · March 22, 2013

One thing I would like to know is why Gray had to go to a juco first. Was it about grades or simply to get a di scholarship a year later. With an option of Appel who goes to Stanford and a kid who had to get his grades up one would have to lean toward the Stanford kid. Just I thought I had while reading the write up about Gray.

Also sounds like the guy is a little off. The ba article talked about a super regional game last year where he showed up at the pregame breakfast in full uniform houra before the game. They later say that he went to every teammates room to promise they would't lose that day. Is this leadership or a guy showing his crazy side?

Sometimes guys will go the JC route in hopes they can up their draft stock in one year. He'll go through draft process for the 3rd time in June.

I read that article and viewed it as leadership.

cmb0252 · March 25, 2013

Gray pitched a complete game, 12ks 1 ER 3 H 1BB, vs a very good TCU team. He didn't give up a hit till the 6th inning and quoting Chris Crawford at ESPN, "Gray once again hit 100 mph on guns, and his wipeout slider kept the Horned Frogs off-balance all day."

For Mr.Crawfords other thoughts on Gray and the other performances of the week insiders can read them in the link below.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/mlb_draft/id/9095330/oklahoma-jonathan-gray-keeps-dominating-stanford-mark-appel-no-1-prospect-mlb-draft

Jeremy Nygaard · March 26, 2013

...he went on to write that an NL scout said, "with all due respect to Gray, Appel is the best player in this class... and it isn't close." Interesting quote.

cmb0252 · March 26, 2013

While agree Appel> gray, he ain't a bad consolation prize. Just hard to beat Appel and his 3 plus pitches.

cmb0252 · March 29, 2013

Gray pitched a complete game vs Kansas on Thursday allowing one run. He had an impressive 12/1 K/BB ratio and his fastball was still sitting in the upper 90s in the 9th inning.

Ultima Ratio · April 1, 2013

This Gray is or is not related to the Jeff Gray?

Mike Sixel · April 1, 2013

ESPN insider today said at least on AL scout now has Gray number 1 overall. The author anticpates Appel and Gray will be fighting for that top spot the rest of the year.

gunnarthor · April 1, 2013

ESPN insider today said at least on AL scout now has Gray number 1 overall. The author anticpates Appel and Gray will be fighting for that top spot the rest of the year.

Hopefully a few more pitchers start throwing great stuff together. I can't see anyway a potential ace drops to 4 right now.

diehardtwinsfan · April 2, 2013

I don't know... Appel, Gray, and Manaea. That's 3 right there and Anderson/Stanek are still making a case for themselves.

Mike Sixel · April 2, 2013

From what I read, Manaea is pitching himself out of the top 10 right now.

cmb0252 · April 2, 2013

Manaea, Anderson, and Stanek all threw clunkers this week. In Anderson's defense it was his first rough outing of the year. It is really starting to look like it is going to be Appel/Gray and then everyone else. For those saying the Twins have to take might be out of luck if things keep going this way.

Badsmerf · April 2, 2013

Manaea, Anderson, and Stanek all threw clunkers this week. In Anderson's defense it was his first rough outing of the year. It is really starting to look like it is going to be Appel/Gray and then everyone else. For those saying the Twins have to take might be out of luck if things keep going this way.

Still too far away and too small sample size to judge. Gray is a fast riser, but Stanek and Manaea have had scouts all over their business for a while now. Houston took the fast riser last season so I could see them do it again with Gray.

gunnarthor · April 2, 2013

Houston took the fast riser last season so I could see them do it again with Gray.

I'm just hoping they fall in love with one of those GA bats and leave the college pitchers alone. Although, I'm coming around to taking Bryant if the first three picks are arms.

cmb0252 · April 2, 2013

I'm right there with you on Bryant. I have been driving that bandwagon for awhile. I currently have him 3 on my draft board behind Appel and Gray. While I'm hoping one of those two arms are there at 4, currently doesn't look like it, I wouldn't mind taking an offensive stud like Bryant.

Twins Twerp · April 4, 2013

Jim callis of baseball america now has appel and gray 1 2 on his list. The dreft is stacking up to have two stud pitchers and everyone else. It is still early but stanek has fallen out of top 10 and manea has also fallen a bit. I know most of us here at td would love a college arm but it is looking less and less likely.

twinscowboysbulls · April 4, 2013

Lots of season left. Draft is more than 2 months away. I believe Manea has plenty of time to sweep people off their feet again. Looking back at it, I wish we would've lost a few more games last year so we could have Appel.

cmb0252 · April 4, 2013

Lots of season left. Draft is more than 2 months away. I believe Manea has plenty of time to sweep people off their feet again. Looking back at it, I wish we would've lost a few more games last year so we could have Appel.

That or Appel could have looked this good last year and we could have just taken him at two. If manaea can gain his cape cod form he definitely could work his way back into the top 5. I praying Gray some how makes it to the Twins at 4. Gray is the only guy out of the top arms that has a possible 80 pitch.

Mr.Garrioch had a great write up on Gray. Well worth the read for Gray fans. Link below:

2013 MLB Draft Profile: Jonathan Gray, RHP, Oklahoma - Minor League Ball

cmb0252 · April 18, 2013

Keith Law released his updated top 50 list today which has Gray, unsurprisingly, at 2 behind Appel. ESPN had a good AND free article up about the "rise" of Gray. Link below:

Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray has climbed MLB draft boards this spring - college baseball - ESPN

cmb0252 · April 29, 2013

Mr.Gray continues to pitch himself out of any possibility of being there at 4.

7/2 K/BB, 7.1 innings, 2 hits, 1 ER

cmb0252 · May 1, 2013

From Jim Callis' weekly chat on Gray:

We know that Appel will be ready almost immediately for the big leagues. How quickly will Gray be ready for the majors?

Jim Callis: Gray won’t need much time either. But if they do go 1-2, the Astros and Cubs aren’t going to be good next year, don’t really see much reason to get them to the big leagues in 2014.

Why were the Royals unable to sign Jonathan Gray out of high school?

Jim Callis: Not sure what he wanted to sign, but he was basically a raw HS arm at that point. We rated him the top HS arm in Oklahoma, as he could hit 93 mph and had some power to his slider, but he wasn’t really ready for pro ball (or at least a major investment). He lacks consistency and command, needed to get in better shape. Had a scout tell me the story kind of reminded him of Stephen Strasburg’s path.

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