Biographical
Sonny Gray PReds |
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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 29)
| IP | ERA | WHIP | SO | W | L | SV | WARP |
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- 4.62015
- 0.52016
- 2.62017
- 0.42018
- 1.12019
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WARP Summary
MLB Statistics
Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shown —Click to hide.
| YEAR | Team | Lg | G | GS | IP | W | L | SV | H | BB | SO | HR | PPF | H/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | K/9 | GB% | BABIP | WHIP | FIP | ERA | cFIP | DRA | DRA- | WARP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | OAK | MLB | 12 | 10 | 64.0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 20 | 67 | 4 | 92 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 9.4 | 0% | .277 | 1.11 | 2.73 | 2.67 | 75 | 2.46 | 59.0 | 1.9 |
| 2014 | OAK | MLB | 33 | 33 | 219.0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 187 | 74 | 183 | 15 | 91 | 7.7 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 7.5 | 0% | .277 | 1.19 | 3.49 | 3.08 | 93 | 3.63 | 89.1 | 3.2 |
| 2015 | OAK | MLB | 31 | 31 | 208.0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 166 | 59 | 169 | 17 | 101 | 7.2 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 7.3 | 0% | .255 | 1.08 | 3.42 | 2.73 | 95 | 3.20 | 74.8 | 4.6 |
| 2016 | OAK | MLB | 22 | 22 | 117.0 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 133 | 42 | 94 | 18 | 100 | 10.2 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 7.2 | 54% | .319 | 1.50 | 4.62 | 5.69 | 102 | 4.97 | 110.1 | 0.5 |
| 2017 | NYA | 0 | 11 | 11 | 65.3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 55 | 27 | 59 | 11 | 105 | 7.6 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 8.1 | 48% | .246 | 1.26 | 4.85 | 3.72 | 97 | 4.04 | 86.0 | 1.1 |
| 2017 | OAK | 0 | 16 | 16 | 97.0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 84 | 30 | 94 | 8 | 105 | 7.8 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 8.7 | 58% | .285 | 1.18 | 3.23 | 3.43 | 91 | 4.22 | 89.7 | 1.5 |
| 2018 | NYA | MLB | 30 | 23 | 130.3 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 138 | 57 | 123 | 14 | 110 | 9.5 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 8.5 | 52% | .326 | 1.50 | 4.20 | 4.90 | 101 | 5.00 | 111.7 | 0.4 |
| 2019 | CIN | MLB | 31 | 31 | 175.3 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 122 | 68 | 205 | 17 | 98 | 6.3 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 10.5 | 53% | .255 | 1.08 | 3.37 | 2.87 | 82 | 2.98 | 61.1 | 5.3 |
| 2017 | TOT | MLB | 27 | 27 | 162.3 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 139 | 57 | 153 | 19 | 105 | 7.7 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 8.5 | 54% | .269 | 1.21 | 3.89 | 3.55 | 93 | 4.15 | 88.2 | 2.6 |
| Career | MLB | 186 | 177 | 1076.0 | 70 | 60 | 0 | 936 | 377 | 994 | 104 | 100 | 7.8 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 8.3 | 54% | .286 | 1.22 | 3.68 | 3.53 | 93 | 3.76 | 84.9 | 18.6 | |
Statistics for All Levels
'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.
| YEAR | Team | Lg | LG | G | GS | IP | W | L | SV | H | BB | SO | HR | PPF | H/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | K/9 | GB% | BABIP | WHIP | FIP | ERA | cFIP | DRA | DRA- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | MID | AA | TEX | 5 | 5 | 20.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 113 | 6.8 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 8.1 | 0% | .278 | 1.05 | 2.47 | 0.45 | 77 | 2.83 | 57.8 |
| 2011 | ATH | Rk | AZL | 1 | 1 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 94 | 18.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.0 | 0% | .571 | 2.00 | 2.36 | 4.50 | 89 | 6.76 | 138.1 |
| 2012 | MID | AA | TEX | 26 | 26 | 148.0 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 148 | 57 | 97 | 8 | 99 | 9.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 5.9 | 0% | .302 | 1.39 | 3.90 | 4.14 | 103 | 4.90 | 102.1 |
| 2012 | SAC | AAA | PCL | 1 | 1 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 106 | 22.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 4.5 | 0% | .500 | 2.75 | 4.16 | 9.00 | 104 | 9.03 | 188.0 |
| 2013 | OAK | MLB | AL | 12 | 10 | 64.0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 20 | 67 | 4 | 92 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 9.4 | 0% | .277 | 1.11 | 2.73 | 2.67 | 75 | 2.46 | 59.0 |
| 2013 | SAC | AAA | PCL | 20 | 20 | 118.3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 117 | 39 | 118 | 5 | 99 | 8.9 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 9.0 | 0% | .337 | 1.32 | 3.11 | 3.42 | 78 | 3.27 | 71.1 |
| 2014 | OAK | MLB | AL | 33 | 33 | 219.0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 187 | 74 | 183 | 15 | 91 | 7.7 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 7.5 | 0% | .277 | 1.19 | 3.49 | 3.08 | 93 | 3.63 | 89.1 |
| 2015 | OAK | MLB | AL | 31 | 31 | 208.0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 166 | 59 | 169 | 17 | 101 | 7.2 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 7.3 | 0% | .255 | 1.08 | 3.42 | 2.73 | 95 | 3.20 | 74.8 |
| 2016 | OAK | MLB | AL | 22 | 22 | 117.0 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 133 | 42 | 94 | 18 | 100 | 10.2 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 7.2 | 54% | .319 | 1.50 | 4.62 | 5.69 | 102 | 4.97 | 110.1 |
| 2017 | NYA | MLB | AL | 11 | 11 | 65.3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 55 | 27 | 59 | 11 | 105 | 7.6 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 8.1 | 48% | .246 | 1.26 | 4.85 | 3.72 | 97 | 4.04 | 86.0 |
| 2017 | OAK | MLB | AL | 16 | 16 | 97.0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 84 | 30 | 94 | 8 | 105 | 7.8 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 8.7 | 58% | .285 | 1.18 | 3.23 | 3.43 | 91 | 4.22 | 89.7 |
| 2017 | STO | A+ | CAL | 1 | 1 | 5.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 101 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.8 | 70% | .100 | 0.20 | 1.52 | 0.00 | 73 | 1.96 | 41.7 |
| 2017 | NAS | AAA | PCL | 1 | 1 | 6.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 84 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.5 | 86% | .143 | 0.33 | 1.39 | 0.00 | 62 | 1.11 | 23.6 |
| 2018 | NYA | MLB | AL | 30 | 23 | 130.3 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 138 | 57 | 123 | 14 | 110 | 9.5 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 8.5 | 52% | .326 | 1.50 | 4.20 | 4.90 | 101 | 5.00 | 111.7 |
| 2019 | CIN | MLB | NL | 31 | 31 | 175.3 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 122 | 68 | 205 | 17 | 98 | 6.3 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 10.5 | 53% | .255 | 1.08 | 3.37 | 2.87 | 82 | 2.98 | 61.1 |
Plate Discipline
| YEAR | Pits | Zone% | Swing% | Contact% | Z-Swing% | O-Swing% | Z-Contact% | O-Contact% | SwStr% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 995 | 0.4683 | 0.3970 | 0.7443 | 0.5386 | 0.2722 | 0.8406 | 0.5764 | 0.2557 |
| 2014 | 3274 | 0.4655 | 0.4322 | 0.7739 | 0.5801 | 0.3034 | 0.8971 | 0.5687 | 0.2261 |
| 2015 | 3067 | 0.4809 | 0.4653 | 0.7737 | 0.6332 | 0.3097 | 0.8747 | 0.5822 | 0.2263 |
| 2016 | 1945 | 0.4761 | 0.4401 | 0.8002 | 0.6220 | 0.2748 | 0.9063 | 0.5821 | 0.1998 |
| 2017 | 2661 | 0.4247 | 0.4596 | 0.7244 | 0.6478 | 0.3207 | 0.8607 | 0.5214 | 0.2756 |
| 2018 | 2247 | 0.4526 | 0.4268 | 0.7466 | 0.5801 | 0.3000 | 0.8797 | 0.5339 | 0.2534 |
| 2019 | 2805 | 0.4264 | 0.4132 | 0.7161 | 0.5811 | 0.2884 | 0.8561 | 0.5065 | 0.2839 |
| Career | 16994 | 0.4551 | 0.4375 | 0.7542 | 0.6028 | 0.2992 | 0.8760 | 0.5508 | 0.2458 |
Injury History — No longer being updated | Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET |
| Date On | Date Off | Transaction | Days | Games | Side | Body Part | Injury | Severity | Surgery Date | Reaggravation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-10-18 | 2013-10-18 | Off | 0 | 0 | Left | Thumb | Surgery | Fracture and Torn UCL Batted Ball | 2013-10-18 | - |
| 2012-05-20 | 2012-05-27 | Minors | 7 | 0 | Right | Fingers | Contusion | - |
Compensation
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2019 Preseason Forecast | Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET |
| PCT | W | L | SV | G | GS | IP | H | BB | SO | HR | BABIP | WHIP | ERA | DRA | VORP | WARP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weighted Mean | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0.0 | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | .000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ? | 0.0 | 0.0 |
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BP Articles
Click here to see articles tagged with Sonny GrayBP Chats
| Date | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-03-12 15:00:00 (link to chat) | CIN has seen big improvements in SP performance in guys FIRST FULL seasons under Derek Johnson's tutelage - Sonny Gray (2019), Trevor Bauer (2020), Luis Castillo (2019), Anthony DeSclafani (2019). Gray and Castillo were All-Stars in their first full season with Johnson and Bauer won CY Young. Similar situations though, Tanner Roark and Tyler Mahle flatlined, while Wade Miley was dreadful. Still, there does seem to be a real track record of success for CIN SP working with Johnson. Could Tejay Antone or Jeff Hoffman see a "Derek Johnson-bump" in their first full seasons with the Reds? (Craig from Chicago) | I'd argue the bump for Antone has already happened and it's been pretty well-chronicled what happened there (and it was outside of the Reds pitching development system broadly speaking). I think this does illustrate the point that you are never gonna have a perfect system that is a perfect fit for a variety of arms, and you just hope to do well on balance. On Hoffman, I was probably the last guy out on him, but that was two years ago even for me. Wouldn't be shocked if he turns into a solid pen arm outside of Coors/Rockies though. (Jeffrey Paternostro) |
| 2021-01-29 12:00:00 (link to chat) | Based on team needs and perceived availability, it seems like the Mets would be wise to pursue a Sonny Gray - Eugenio Suarez trade. Mets could also take back Shogo Akiyama (owed $15MM) over next two seasons to lower player cost from their side as well as land someone who can play CF.
Does JD Davis, Brett Baty, Freddy Valdez and Szapucki get the Mets close? (Fred from New York) | So the inherent problem with valuing a return here is not knowing if the Reds want a consummate value return or want to unload the salary obligation. That'a light on its face given the length and AAV for both, but if you mostly just want to clear 90 million or so guaranteed... (Jeffrey Paternostro) |
| 2020-12-18 12:00:00 (link to chat) | For keeper league fantasy purposes, Cabrera or Gray? (Buff from Colorado) | I'm gonna assume Edward Cabrera vs. Sonny Gray here (I'd take Cabrera easily over Jon). Gray for his career has been about 15% better than league average and spiked better than that on occasion. Made a couple ASG. That's probably around the 75th percentile outcome for Cabrera. So then it becomes a balancing act of how likely you think Cabrera gets there, versus how many more years you think Gray has left at that level. I think I'd go Cabrera, but I'm not convinced strongly. (Jeffrey Paternostro) |
| 2020-07-22 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Which Reds starter are you most looking forward to seeing this year? (BG from PNW) | This is a troll question to get me to say Luis Castillo. While I do think he'll be the best of a bunch, I'm really curious to see if Sonny Gray can repeat his success from last year. (Craig Goldstein) |
| 2019-10-04 14:15:00 (link to chat) | I picked up Sonny Gray for a buck in a 23 player $260 NL only keeper league so he obviously made me very happy----and I can keep him for another 3-4 years at a very reasonable price if he pitches well.
Do you expect some regression this year (tough park) or do you think he can duplicate or even exceed what he did this year? Thx (bob from philly) | I don't think he will repeat this season per se, given the run environment/park factor you mention, but he does seem to be thriving there so I would have no problem running him back again.
Philosophical question: Were we right when we ranked Tyler Glasnow as the 15th or whatever best prospect in baseball before the 2017 season? (Jeffrey Paternostro) |
| 2019-09-04 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Is Sonny Gray's 2019 turn-around predictive of the future? Or is it just one last upward spike in his career? (ironcityguys from urban area) | I wouldn’t say it’s completely sustainable. Gray’s walk rate from last year is exactly the same, but he is way more focused on punching batters out, rather than pitching to contact. His fastball usage, as opposed to his sinker, when ahead has clearly led to better results.
The other thing, Gray was encouraged to use his slider in the zone with the Yankees which obviously didn’t work well. His K% on pitches out of the zone are lightyears ahead of where they were last year and the zip on the slider seems to be there when thrown the way he wants to. And in fairness, that stadium is unlike any other. Is it totally sustainable, I don’t think so? But I wouldn’t be surprised if he challenged for an All-Star Game next year and was similar but a tick worse in the upcoming years. (Tyler Oringer) |
| 2019-07-11 23:00:00 (link to chat) | Are you buying Sonny Gray’s re-emergence this year? If contending would you think he is worth a a late first round pick (ie. pick 12-15) in next years FYPD i (Warren from Australia) | I caught Gray at Dodger Stadium back in April and noted then that he looked much better, yeah: https://twitter.com/vocaljavelins/status/1118603959814344704
Stuff's playing crisper, he's locating much better, the grounders are there ...yeah, I buy it. Smart to price in some regression off his obscene 60 or whatever DRA-, but he's earned a good chunk of his improvement. (Wilson Karaman) |
| 2019-05-31 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Do you think that Deivi Garcia will ultimately be a starter or a reliever? There seems to be a prejudice these days against starters who are small of stature. I'm an old fan who remembers lots of good "small" starters like Whitey Ford and Bobby Shantz. I think that would be a good subject for an article. (cracker73 from Florida) | Starter for me. I'm not sure there's as much of a prejudice against shorter starters these days as there was a decade ago, mostly because starters aren't expected to work as deep into games as they once were. Guys like Marcus Stroman and Sonny Gray have helped dispel those stereotypes, too. (J.P. Breen) |
| 2019-04-26 16:00:00 (link to chat) | Who a waiver wire pitcher in a 15 team league with limited add/drops that may be useful for the next 5 months? Homer? (Vic from Baltimore) | Ugh, Homer. He waited until I shouted his name from the mountain tops before he turned back into Homer Bailey. I still like him, though, as the profile has gotten better.
In that range-ish, I'd also take a look at Frankie Montas, Mike Soroka and Pablo Lopez. Jordan Lyles has also been interesting so far in Pittsburgh. Sonny Gray is also somehow available on a lot of sites, and he probably shouldn't be. (Mark Barry) |
| 2019-03-08 16:00:00 (link to chat) | Who will be the comeback players in both AL and NL in 2019 and why? (dan22ke9 from Not in Neverland) | Do you give it to Josh Donaldson if he's healthy? Dude can still hit if he can stay on the field. Corey Seager also an option for injury purposes. If you want someone who just sucked, then Sonny Gray should get back to at least tolerable.
In the AL, I'd love to see Buxton prove me wrong, but I'd take Carlos Correa. He doesn't have to go .300/30 to greatly improve on his horrible .239/15 from last season. (Kevin Jebens) |
| 2019-02-18 16:00:00 (link to chat) | Are any of the Reds new crop of starters likely to be worth rostering this season? (kalimantan from as above) | If you're talking solely about new acquisitions, then Alex Wood is the most obvious choice. He's not done yet if healthy, and the 50% grounders will help. Sonny Gray could rebound some, but don't look to 2017 or 2015. That said, if he's available in the endgame of a shallow or medium league, absolutely pull the trigger. Deeper leagues, it's more risky. Roark would've been an okay option for deep leagues before he started seeing his HR/9 and BB/9 rise in 2016-17. The walks got better last year, but the HR/9 hasn't, and in that bandbox his soft-tossing ways may be problematic--especially after a career high FB% in 2018. (Kevin Jebens) |
| 2018-12-06 20:00:00 (link to chat) | Overall thoughts on the Reds farm system ??
Also, how would you attack pitching issues this year ? Sign couple free agents, maybe trade prospect or two ? We’re desperate !! Thanks (Drew from Cincy) | We published their list a few weeks ago. Very good system, strong at the top with good depth. I'd be tempted to give the arms like Stephenson and Garrett another shot to work it out in the majors given the unlikeliness of contention. I expect them to sign a few dudes or try a cheap trade reclamation project like Sonny Gray. (Jarrett Seidler) |
| 2017-07-31 23:00:00 (link to chat) | What do you think about what the A's did with Sonny Gray? (John from San Francisco) | Let's just get right into things here...I have some...#feelings...about this one, mostly driven by my innate Red Sox fandom. It's an interesting haul for Gray, insofar as it has unusual health baked-in health issues. But I think those, coupled with the fact that none of the three guys is a *flashing lights* TOP 25 PROSPECT *flasing lights* has colored some of the analysis I've seen so far in an unduly negative way. All three of the dudes they got back project as higher-probability big leaguers, with decent chances in each case to develop into regulars. It's a bulk return, but not a bad one IMO. Honestly I was more surprised they didn't flip Alonso, especially given that they were already deep in talks with the Yankees. (Wilson Karaman) |
| 2017-07-18 14:00:00 (link to chat) | Would a package starting with rutherford and mateo/sheffield plus some lower level prospects be enough to get sonny gray (MIKE from NY) | I hope so. It is like people forget Sonny Gray has battled arm injuries. my price for damaged guys is largely discounted than the same product without deficiencies. (Javier Barragan) |
| 2017-07-13 14:00:00 (link to chat) | Now with Quintana traded it's only a matter of time before they line up for Sonny Gray. Thoughts on Gray going to Milwaukee for a package headlined by Brinson or Colorado for a package starting with Tapia ? (Ernie from San Diego) | I think the Quintana deal definitely helps the A's, as it's one less piece on the board. I think Gray to Milwaukee is interesting, but I'm not sure they'd be willing to give up enough to get him, as they're still *technically* rebuilding. I don't think Tapia would be enough in Colorado, but if they offered Brendan Rodgers, the A's would definitely listen. Ultimately, I think the Astros have been circling Gray for awhile, so I would guess that's where he ends up. (Mark Barry) |
| 2017-07-13 14:00:00 (link to chat) | When will the next major trade occur? (Jeb from Illinois) | Let's say Sonny Gray to the Astros on July 18 for Kyle Tucker, Franklin Perez, and Teoscar Hernandez. (Mark Barry) |
| 2017-07-12 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Who hangs up on Sonny Gray to Colorado for R. Tapia, Y. Almonte & C. Welker ? (Ernie from Denver) | Speaking of that decent arm, Almonte was who the White Sox gave up for Kahnle!
As much as I think the Rockies should buy if they could--this is a super fun team and this is a great opportunity given the start they've gotten off to--Tapia is looking like a pretty important piece in terms of their ability to contend this year. Maybe see if they can get someone to bite on David Dahl instead? I'm not sure Gray is the one I'd go for if I were Colorado, but the shape of this deal seems good to me. (Nick Schaefer) |
| 2017-03-23 20:00:00 (link to chat) | Would you trade Sonny Gray, who I could keep 4 more years after this season, for Lewis Brinson (H2H, points-based league)? (Nathan from Vienna (Austria)) | That's a great question. Man, I wish Gray was healthy, because he's fun. I'm not sure I'd count on him to be a fantasy #1 or #2 anymore, though. In that case, I'd probably go with Brinson who is going to steal a bunch of bases and could eventually hit a bunch of homers too. (Mark Barry) |
| 2016-09-07 19:00:00 (link to chat) | Looking ahead to 2017, the A's appear to have 3/5 of their rotation, assuming health, locked in for before the trading deadline: Sonny Gray, Sean Manaea, and Kendall Graveman. Out of Jesse Hahn, Chris Bassitt, Henderson Alvarez, Daniel Mengden, Jharel Cotton, Raul Alcantara, Dillon Overton, and Frankie Montas, who can round out the rotation, who is more of a 4A player, and who just won't every be healthy enough again (looking at you, Jesse Hahn and Henderson Alvarez!)? (Greg from San Francisco) | I'm mostly going to have to go off colleagues' reports, because I don't get any Oakland affiliates out here on the east coast. Seems to me like Mengden, Overton, and Alcantara have the best shots to be MLB starters, whereas Montas and Cotton might be better prospects but also probably profile best in relief. That may be completely wrong, though.
Hard not to feel for Henderson Alvarez given how his last couple years have went. (Jarrett Seidler) |
| 2016-08-01 16:00:00 (link to chat) | Is it safe to drop either Sonny Gray or Papelbon in a 14-team roto league where neither player can be held onto for next year? (Steve from Baltimore) | It's fine to drop both. Papelbon would be my first choice out of those two, even in a league that uses holds. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2016-08-01 16:00:00 (link to chat) | Is there any hope for Sonny Gray to be playable this season? How close is he to droppable? (Steve from Baltimore) | Not much. You can drop him in 14-team mixed and shallower. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2016-06-13 23:00:00 (link to chat) | Sonny Gray or Lucas Giolito in dynasty format? How close is it? (Doug from Miami) | I'd want Giolito. He's been tinkering with his delivery this spring, but don't let the *just ok* numbers fool you. It's not a blowout, and Gray's appears to be actively trying to adjust away from his four-seam and change over his past couple starts. That might work, it might not.
Early John Holt and one of my favorite riddims. Yes, have some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx85wGIuCcU (Wilson Karaman) |
| 2016-05-16 23:00:00 (link to chat) | What is wrong with Sonny Gray?!?!? (jdc1989 from MO) | Velo's down a tick, two on his SL. Think he feels it, because he's going with a lot more four-seam/change, backing off the SL. And that's not great, because even with the diminished velo it's an above-average swing-and-miss pitch. He hasn't been good, no two ways about it. (Wilson Karaman) |
| 2016-05-26 19:00:00 (link to chat) | Just before Buxton was sent down I traded him for Sonny Gray and J-Upton. can you make me feel better about myself or is it time to quit fantasy baseball? (JP from TX) | Upton should bounce back to some degree, but it could be a rough year. My colleague Bret Sayre has talked in the past about how the first year in AL-only can be rough. If you made that deal in mid-April, I can't fault you for doing it at the time. Buxton certainly isn't a sure thing for this year alone if you're contending. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2016-05-24 13:00:00 (link to chat) | What's wrong with Sonny Gray? What should the A's do with him? (Mike from San Jose) | I wish I knew. He's such a fun player to watch. If I were the A's I would hold onto him instead of dealing him when his value is in the basement. (Jim Walsh) |
| 2016-05-11 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Ok let's say you have all three starters on your team :Sonny Gray,David Price and Max Scherzer.Which one are you giving up on ? (Spirou from Montréal) | Sonny Gray. I think it's fair to say that the others have slightly more troubling collapse possibilities, just because of age/bullets fired/certain performance details, but I expect they'll all be fine and I like Price and Scherzer a lot more when everybody is right. (Sam Miller) |
| 2016-03-14 14:30:00 (link to chat) | 12-team, 5x5 rotiere, dynasty format... Really struggling with what to do with Addison Russell. I have a couple offers out there with him involved, one for Sonny Gray, another for Benintendi and A. Espinoza. Really, my question is: What do you project of him in the future? I see a lot of potential, but also a young, unproven guy that might be stuck at the bottom of the lineup for a few years... Please help (Theo Epstein from Wrigley) | He's a better real life player than fantasy asset, which makes him a decent trade chip. If you have cover at short and need pitching for a title run, Sonny Gray's don't grow on trees. (Brendan Gawlowski) |
| 2016-02-23 13:00:00 (link to chat) | What should I make of Sonny Gray? Predictive metrics and projection systems are never very high on him, yet he seems to outperform them every year (in the two full seasons he's played, anyway). Do you think his success is sustainable? What is it that makes him so good? (Slinkey1998 from California) | Love Sonny, love the curveball, and yes, I think he's better than PECOTA thinks. There's plenty of risk, though, because pitchers (Matthew Trueblood) |
| 2016-01-27 19:00:00 (link to chat) | What would a Red Sox package for Sonny Gray look like? Would have to be something like Moncada/Devers, Owens, and someone else, right? (Slinkey1998 from California) | Given what the trade market looks like right now, I think you'd probably need two of the top 4, or at least Kopech instead of Owens. With that being said, this is Billy Beane we're talking about so you never know. Maybe he's super in love with Marco Hernandez or something. (He's probably not) (Matt Collins) |
| 2016-01-27 19:00:00 (link to chat) | Normally those Sonny Gray mock-offers are horrible, but that Devers/Moncada package does sound delicious. (Marcos puts it over the top, babay!) (Billy from Oakland) | At the risk of sounding like a prospect hugger, I don't know if I'd make the move for Gray. The strikeouts really fell off as last year went on. The high cost would be justifiable, but it'd scare me from a Red Sox perspective. (Matt Collins) |
| 2016-01-20 13:00:00 (link to chat) | At what point is Sonny Gray traded? Is the return the Braves got for Miller a reasonable expectation for return A's might get, or will they get even more? (Slinkey1998 from California) | I have no idea when/if Gray will be traded, though I can't imagine his value getting any higher than it is right now. As for the return, I think it SHOULD be right around what Miller got, but I'm not sure it's really feasible. That's one situation where the market can't really be set because the Diamondbacks ruined the market. (Christopher Crawford) |
| 2016-01-20 13:00:00 (link to chat) | If soler were still eligible for prospect lists, where would he rank right now in the Cubs system? Do you think they should move him for pitching and acquire a true CF and move Heyward to right? (MascherD from Missouri) | I would have Soler at No. 1, and pretty easily. I'm still a big, big fan. That being said, if you could trade him for say...a Sonny Gray? I'd consider it. I'd consider it a great deal. That Cubs team is ready to win right now, darn it, and they can "afford" to lose a talent like Soler even if he becomes a middle of the order star in right. (Christopher Crawford) |
| 2016-01-14 20:00:00 (link to chat) | At what point is Sonny Gray traded? Is the return for Miller a reasonable expectation for the A's, or will they get even more? Some package around Joc Pederson and Jose De Leon should be enticing. (Slinkey1998 from California) | Gray likely gets moved this July. They should get more than that although trying to guess what the market is going to look like months from now is a fool's errrand. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2015-09-30 19:00:00 (link to chat) | The A's have really gotten a chance to explore their rotation depth this season. Of Kendall Graveman, Jesse Chavez, Sean Nolin, Aaron Brooks, and Felix Doubront, are any more than rotation filler? Right now, in my mind, only Sonny Gray and Chris Bassitt have rotation spots locked down for next season. Jesse Hahn, A.J. Griffin, and Jarrod Parker all seem at varying points of a career ending injury trajectory. (Jeff from San Francisco) | I wan'ted to buy into Sean Nolin but I don't think any of those guys are much more than rotation filler. Billy Beane will have to get pretty creative next year to plug those rotation spots. (Mauricio Rubio) |
| 2015-07-16 20:00:00 (link to chat) | I'm looking for pitching in a roto re-draft league. I've got good SB and HR totals. Should I trade Teixeira, Ellsbury and Gregerson for Vmart, Gray and Pineda? (unbigote from Pluto) | Yes. Sonny Gray = Awesome (George Bissell) |
| 2015-06-10 14:00:00 (link to chat) | Is Sonny Gray a legit fantasy ace for the next 5 seasons? (IgnitorKid from Wisconsin) | Gray obviously has the tools, but I can't help but see a Tim Lincecum path for him. Lincecum has shown how a starter's workload can wear on a shorter and slighter pitcher. If Gray throws 200 innings over the next couple years, I'm worried his stuff will begin to decline 3-5 years down the road. Certainly, it's nothing but projection, but when was the last time a hard-throwing starter who was under 6-feet threw 200+ for years on end? Tim Lincecum did, but he's a shell of himself at this point and only 30. (J.P. Breen) |
| 2015-06-02 18:00:00 (link to chat) | A's fan here trying to find something positive in this season beyond Sonny Gray. So what do you make of the seasons so far (SSS caveat) of Stephen Vogt, Billy Burns, and Mark Canha (against right-handers)? (Eric from Fremont) | There was another Canha question that was just submitted so I'll answer it in this one. Yeah I think there's always room for players who can hit right handed pitching even if LHPs get them out. I don't understand why Vogt is doing what he's doing and I really want Billy Burns to work but I don't think it's a long term thing. At least Marcus Semien is mashing. (Mauricio Rubio) |
| 2015-04-06 20:15:00 (link to chat) | Who has the best socks in the MLB? Seeing Sonny Gray's right now and they are niiiiiice. But Scooter Gennett's this afternoon were on point as well. Thoughts? (Dylan from CT) | I *LOVE* this question. Gray and Gennett are REALLY strong plays. I love Chris Archer's sock game too. I consulted with style-expert Woj, and he said Archer too. I should mention Brad Miller for his stirrup game, too. (Craig Goldstein) |
| 2015-02-13 19:00:00 (link to chat) | Mike, fantasy keeper league question - would you keep Tyson Ross ($20) or Cody Allen ($2)? It is a 12-team league with a $260 budget. I love Ross (traded Sonny Gray for him as I was concerned about Gray's workload and TJ concerns) but then Ross developed his own concerns. Thanks! (Tony from Meridian) | I prefer Ross to Allen but at an $18 price difference I think Allen's a no brainer. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2015-02-13 19:00:00 (link to chat) | This was mentioned in another question, but are there legit workload and TJ concerns with Sonny Gray? (Grizzly from Chi) | I have the same concerns I have with just about any pitcher. So probably nothing or not much more than with others. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2015-01-08 12:00:00 (link to chat) | Who is your Corey Kluber of 2015?? (Bob from Cleveland) | There are a couple of questions like this that I don't quite know how to answer. The short answer is that I don't know yet. I really like Drew Pomeranz, I think he'll do big things in OAK. I see a lot of what I saw in Sonny Gray a few years ago in Marcus Stroman, so I like him to really blow up in 2015.
Beyond that, I'm not sure. Gausman stands to really improve if he throws his slider more. Look for some thoughts on this in my column over the next two months though. (Jeff Long) |
| 2014-11-24 13:00:00 (link to chat) | What do you expect to see from Brandon Finnegan in 2015 if KC makes him a starter? (Josh from Oakland) | I don't like Finnegan as a rotation bet -- the quality of his stuff fell of sharply in college as he worked deeper into games, and there are some lingering questions as to how he'll hold up physically in that role. I get wanting to see if there is a starter in there, but based on my evaluative history with the player and analysis of both the scouting side and analytics side, I don't think it's a profile likely to thrive as a starter. Doesn't mean it's impossible, it just isn't where I'd put my money.
For reference, I was a very strong proponent of Sonny Gray starting regardless of the constant questions regarding height, so it isn't just a physical bias on my part. (NL Central Top 10s With Nick Faleris) |
| 2014-08-08 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Would you trade Sonny Gray for Anthony Rendon straight up in a 12-team, six keeper league? If you were keeping Rizzo, Price, Scherzer, Trout, Tulo and Strasburg, would you even think about keeping Rendon over one of the pitchers? (Jim from WI) | I'd be willing to make that trade, and it's something to consider, but I'd ultimately keep the pitchers. (Craig Goldstein) |
| 2014-08-08 13:00:00 (link to chat) | 20 team dynasty league, here are my pitchers: Chris Sale, Sonny Gray, Homey Bailey, Jake Arietta, Jason deGrom, and Mike Leake, with Kimbrel, Doolittle, for saves and a few guys for holds. In a 20 team league, would that be a solid staff? And also, I kinda want to upgrade and have the offensive pieces to do so. If I paired one of those guys with a bat to upgrade, who would you try to sell? Thanks! (treynay3 from Gatlinburg) | Yeah that's a solid staff though it gets shaky on the back end. I'd move a Bailey/Leake or deGrom for an upgrade. (Craig Goldstein) |
| 2014-08-08 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Who's your favorite hitter? One that you find yourself rooting for more than others. What about a pitcher? Mine are Gregory Polanco and Sonny Gray. Just wondering if you had any guys that you particularly like. (Nate from Indy) | This question has been plaguing me all chat, and I'm not sure I have an answer. I love watching Yordano pitch. Short guys with big velo are a soft spot for me. I love Gray too. As a Dodgers fan it's hard for me not to love Puig, but Anthony Rendon might be my favorite at-bat in the league. His hands are so damn good. (Craig Goldstein) |
| 2014-08-08 13:00:00 (link to chat) | How does Sonny Gray project for next season? Would you consider him to be an "elite" pitcher, up there with the likes of David Price or is he still a tier below? (Tony from WI) | He's a tier below the Price types. (Craig Goldstein) |
| 2014-07-31 19:30:00 (link to chat) | I'm keeping Rendon, Longoria, Rizzo, Scherzer, and Sonny Gray. I have 2 more keeper slots. Who would you keep out of Alcantara, Garrett Richards, Stroman, Arrieta, and Wil Myers? It's a 12 tm 6x6 with tbs and qs as the extra cats.
Thanks.
(Thomas from Staten Island) | Myers and Stroman, though Alcantara is not a bad option. (Ben Carsley) |
| 2014-07-24 19:00:00 (link to chat) | I'm keeping Rizzo, Rendon, Longoria, Gray, Richards, and Scherzer. Would you keep Stroman, Myers, or Alcantara? It's a 12 tm league with qs and tb as the extra cats. (Thomas from New York) | I'm assuming Sonny Gray, I would push for Stroman over Richards but that's about it. If you can keep some of the three I would rank them
Stroman Alcántara Myers (Mauricio Rubio) |
| 2014-04-16 19:00:00 (link to chat) | 16 team dynasty league...I received a Sonny Gray for Starlin Castro deal(I'd be the one getting Gray). I already own Jean Segura. I gotta take this, right? (Sick Rutcliffe from CA) | Yes, I was late to the Gray party but I prefer him to Castro, especially if you already own a better shortstop. (Ben Carsley) |
| 2014-04-16 19:00:00 (link to chat) | I'm in a 10 team mixed league with QS in place of W. Right now my starters are Strasburg, Sonny Gray, and Michael Pineda. I have an open roster spot I want to fill with another starter to give me a shot at competing in QS. I figure I might as well grab another long shot starter to join Gray and Pineda. I have it narrowed down to Danny Salazar, Jose Quintana, Taijuan Walker, or Roenis Elias. Who's my best bet? (Kyle from Detroit) | Good god man, step away from Roenis Elias. Out of the options you listed, Quintana is the safest bet while Salazar provides the highest upside. If you're truly just going for QS, I guess I'd go Quintana. I like Salazar a bit more overall, though, even if he's overrated. Walker's injury scares me now, so I'm staying away. (Ben Carsley) |
| 2014-04-08 14:00:00 (link to chat) | Enjoyed your analysis in the SP guide. Have you noticed any noteworthy mechanical changes a pitcher has made in the early-going this year? (John from Russia) | Thanks, John!
I noticed a handful of changes on Opening Day alone, and I wrote about it here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23225 The biggest takeaways: 1) Strasburg's posture is behind where it needs to be (and where it was at peak), and his new technique to check on baserunners is disrupting his rhythm from the stretch; and 2) Sonny Gray is also a bit behind on timing and balance, but this is common in the early season. I was more intrigued by his addition of a cutter in his first start. I am also very pleased with Eovaldi's timing consistency so far this year. The biggest mind-blower has been Tyler Skaggs, though ... (Doug Thorburn) |
| 2014-04-08 14:00:00 (link to chat) | Any idea when the new TINSTAAPP will be out? (NightmareRec0n from Boston) | We are getting on a more-regular schedule starting with this next episode, and the kickoff episode for the 2014 season will be available later this week. Our Game of the Week was Sonny Gray vs Erasmo Ramirez on Sunday (4/6), so you can get a jump-start. (Doug Thorburn) |
| 2014-03-19 20:00:00 (link to chat) | Sonny Gray or Yordano Ventura? (Marshall from Canada ) | Gray. I love Ventura, but let's not go bonkers yet. (Bret Sayre) |
| 2014-02-26 19:00:00 (link to chat) | Please help settle a debate I'm having with my fantasy partner. Wacha or Gray for this year? Both $1. Wacha or Gray for next 3 years? Who is/will be the better fantasy pitcher? Thanks! (Crippler from New York) | I'm assuming Sonny Gray, and I'll take Wacha. (Mauricio Rubio) |
| 2014-02-20 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Could you please rank these SP. Porcello, Cashner, Sonny Gray, Kluber and Parker. (Erica from DC) | Cashner, Kluber, Gray, Parker, Porcello... Cash way out front of that crew, the rest quite close. (Paul Sporer) |
| 2014-02-20 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Is Sonny Gray significantly behind the group of youngins' listed above? Anyone else in that discussion that I've missed? (Petey from Pablotown) | I don't remember who else was listed, sorry. (Paul Sporer) |
| 2014-02-28 14:00:00 (link to chat) | It's raining here too, but the ski slopes are really hoping it turns to snow.
Please rank the following pitchers in order of expected career value: Archer, Cole, Sonny Gray, Wacha, Shelby Miller, Teheran, Zack Wheeler. I expect that one or more of them will be available for my first round pick in my Strat-O-Matic league rookie draft tomorrow.
(Rex Little from Big Bear CA) | Interesting list. Gimme Cole, (gap), Teheran, (gap), Miller, Gray, Wacha, Wheeler (all very close), Archer (Doug Thorburn) |
| 2014-02-18 14:00:00 (link to chat) | Took over a team in a 10 team H2H Dynasty. Looks to be middle of the pack, but I have Cabrera. Would you trade him for a package of Harper or Stanton, and Matt Moore, Sonny Gray, and Addison Russell? Other option is Goldschmidt, Machado or Cole, and Sano. I'd have to add some things to get either done. Which is better or hold out until the season starts to see if my team is performing better than expected? (Joe from SC) | I own Miguel Cabrera in a 12-team head-to-head dynasty league with 25-man rosters with 5 prospect slots. I have a top heavy team and wouldn't move him for 3 clear cut keepers, especially since he still possesses third base eligibility. I'd strongly consider pulling the trigger on the Goldschmidt, Machado and Sano trade. (Ronit Shah) |
| 2014-02-18 14:00:00 (link to chat) | In a 10 team H2H 5x5 dynasty league. Took over a team that has Cabrera and not much else. Would you trade him in a package deal for Harper or Stanton, Moore, Sonny Gray, and Addison Russell or Goldschmidt, Machado or Cole, and Sano? Which would you prefer or just hold onto him til later in the year? (Joe from SC) | I think I already answered this. Would think about the second trade with Goldy, Machado and Sano, but I'm not a fantasy expert. (Ronit Shah) |
| 2014-02-11 13:00:00 (link to chat) | I have the #1 in my dynasty league. Tanaka's available, but so is Sonny Gray, and he really intrigues me. He's shown what he could do against major league players already. Who should I take? (Alex from CA) | Oh my gosh it's not close. Tanaka. (Sam Miller) |
| 2014-02-06 13:00:00 (link to chat) | I have the #1 in my dynasty league. Tanaka's available, but so is Sonny Gray, and he really intrigues me. He's shown what he could do against major league players already. Who should I take? (Alex from CA) | oh can't you people give me an easy question. This is a really tough one. I'd say Tanaka has a more likely 2 ceiling than Gray, who still has to prove he can beat the odds on his body size. At the same time, there's more risk of the unknown with Tanaka, as you noted. But I have a hard time imagining Tanaka having too much of a struggle with that splitter, so, yea, Tanaka. Sorry, Sonny! (Harry Pavlidis) |
| 2014-02-06 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Can you explain Pecota comps? A guy like Sonny Gray is compared to Travis Wood and Matt Harvey (#1 comp). Wood... multiple pitches.... Sonny Gray... not so much. Is it just statistics? I'm a newbie. Thanks! (Jesse from NY) | we don't have pitch types in our comps...yet. I think this is a big thing we can do. But it is stats, body type etc. (Harry Pavlidis) |
| 2014-02-03 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Who do you think will be a high-impact rookie pitcher in 2014? I don't expect another Harvey or Fernandez. But a guy we'll look back on and should have seen coming. (Keith from Brooklyn) | I've seen this question a lot.
We're currently looking at Yordano Ventura coming, that's my pick for a high value fantasy guy who will make a lot of noise in 2014. Gerrit Cole showed up in the playoffs, he's going to be a MFer next year. Ditto Sonny Gray. (Mauricio Rubio) |
| 2014-02-10 13:00:00 (link to chat) | I have the #1 in my dynasty league. Tanaka's available, but so is Sonny Gray, and he really intrigues me. He's shown what he could do against major league players already. Who should I take? (Alex from CA) | I may not be the guy to ask, because I have a bias towards short pitchers (which is strange because I'm neither short, nor was I a pitcher), but I really like Gray. I don't know much more about Tanaka other than the video that's out there for everybody to see. I didn't get to see him in the WBC or in Japan or anything like that, but the general consensous seems to be that he's a 2 or high-3. Gray should fall into that mold as well. If nothing else, the big park in Oakland could be the tiebreaker. Then again, Tanaka could make us all look stupid. (Jeff Moore) |
| 2014-01-21 18:00:00 (link to chat) | What to do with Sonny Gray on draft day ? Nobody seems to agree on his ceiling. (Spirou from Montreal) | Hi Spirou.
I think Gray is a solid double-digit bid guy in AL-only but not someone I'd target like an elite pitcher. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2014-01-21 18:00:00 (link to chat) | Can only choose one in an AL only keeper, Salazar or Sonny Gray? (Ty from Texas) | For this year only, I'd go with the safer choice in Gray. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2014-01-21 18:00:00 (link to chat) | Can only choose one in an AL only keeper, Salazar or Sonny Gray? (Ty from Texas) | For this year only, I'd go with the safer choice in Gray. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2014-01-17 10:00:00 (link to chat) | Hey,
Fantasy quandary -
1)(Keep Manny Machado)
2)(Trade Manny for Brett Lawrie and Sonny Gray, who I am really high on)
3)(Trade Manny for Matt Garza and Zach Wheeler, who I am equally high on).
Thanks (Tony from KC) | Dalton's Mercedes speeds recklessly toward Wesley's estate, drawing gunfire from Wesley's henchmen, but they discover the car empty, and the knife that was used to kill Wade stuck in the accelerator. One by one, Dalton dispatches each of Wesley's thugs, and eventually comes face-to-face with Wesley. Dalton gains the upper hand in their fight and prepares to finish Wesley in the same brutal manner as Jimmy, but decides against it. When Dalton releases him, Wesley seizes the opportunity to reach for a gun, but is promptly shot to death by Red, Emmett, Stroudenmire, and Tilghman. They stash the weapons away prior to the arrival of law enforcement and proceed to corroborate each other's innocence, with the implication that what happened in Wesley's house will remain a secret. (Jason Parks) |
| 2014-01-14 13:00:00 (link to chat) | In a fantasy league where you control players until they accrue 6 years of service time, would you draft Sonny Gray or Kris Bryant? Just safer to go with the hitter? (Dennis from LA) | Just clearing this out of the queue, but the answer is directly above with Dennis's correction to Jonathan Gray. (Paul Sporer) |
| 2014-01-14 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Gausman, Sonny Gray, Pineda... Please rank for this year and for the future (InternetBullies from Bing) | You just did! (Paul Sporer) |
| 2014-01-10 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Please rank the following diminuitive right-handers: Sonny Gray, Carlos Martinez, Marcus Stroman, Peter Dinklage, Yordano Ventura, (Mr. C from Milwaukee) | Ventura, Martinez, Gray, Stroman, with Dinklage last just because he's from Jersey and is probably friends with Mort. (I kid, I kid) (Mark Anderson) |
| 2013-12-10 18:00:00 (link to chat) | Between Archie Bradley, Noah Syndergaard, and Jonathan Gray, how would you rank their ceilings/fantasy upside? ETAs? Bonus: For how long will we have to deal with 50 shades puns based on Gray's name (Sonny's as well... who also gets the "It's always sunny" puns). (Jonah from Redwood) | Hi Jonah:
I would probably rank them in the order that you have them ranked, with Bradley and Syndergaard very close and Gray a little bit behind. Both Bradley and Syndergaard have ace potential, with Bradley a tick more likely to be that ace with Synergaard falling in as a #2. Gray looks more like a #2 to me, which certainly isn't shabby; I just don't see him as that #1 stud. The puns are up to the masses. I didn't even think of the 50 shades of Gray thing, and as far as Sonny Gray goes I didn't see the It's Always Sunny comparison either. If anything saves us here from the puns, it's that the A's aren't high profile. (Mike Gianella) |
| 2013-12-17 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Sonny Gray's curve or Danny Salazar's split-change? (Rael from Santo Domingo) | Salazar's trapdoor split-change. Fun pitch to watch. (Jason Parks) |
| 2013-11-25 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Higher Upside- Sonny Gray or pre-injury Brett Anderson? (Rich from Evanston) | Anderson. (Jason Parks) |
| 2013-11-05 13:00:00 (link to chat) | So do we have enough information yet to get really excited about Sonny Gray in 2014, or have we seen the best? (Peter from Oakland) | I think you've seen the blueprint for Gray (and players with similar profiles, actually). His success will depend on his ability to execute his secondaries. If he does that, the elevated fastball will play and you have a front-end arm. It's all about execution, and 2013 should have finally shown the naysayers that the profile CAN play. Whether or not Gray continues to build on this success is up to him (I'm a believer). (Nick J. Faleris) |
| 2013-11-05 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Did any of the upper prospects who got called up to the MLB level after the All Star break but before September 1st either strongly help or hurt their status by what they did in the Bigs? (Paul from DC) | If I understand the question, we are talking about players still prospect eligible? No one jumps out as a big swing-in-value guy. For guys that are no longer eligible, I think Sonny Gray won over some folks. (Nick J. Faleris) |
| 2013-11-05 13:00:00 (link to chat) | tell me everything about marcus stroman (fats from toronto) | He gets (rightfully) dinged as a starter because his fastball lacks plane, but like fellow diminutive righty Sonny Gray the quality of his secondaries allows him to get away with it. When you lack plane, it generally limits your ability to work up with the fastball because the plane delta, top to bottom in the zone, isn't great enough to force hitters to change tracks. Gray gets around this with a hard plus-plus curve with plane deception that effectively changes the eye level of the hitter. Stroman does this with his breaking ball, as well, though he's on a tilt as opposed to Gray's 12/6.
When you have that bullet, it then comes down to execution. If Stroman can throw the breaking ball for strikes in order to keep hitters honest, he has the upside of a #2 starter. If he's too imprecise with the pitch, MLB hitters will force him to the pen. The raw materials are there for a starter, no question. (Nick J. Faleris) |
| 2013-10-11 14:00:00 (link to chat) | I enjoyed TINSTAPP, the other day for the first time.
What do you think of Sonny Gray going forward? Specifically, If you had a real team and could pick Michael, wa Wacha or Sonny Gray, who would you take, and why Doug? (casejud from Bothell, Wa) | Thanks for listening! Paul and I have a blast recording each episode of TINSTAAPP, and we are trying something new for the playoffs - so stay tuned. (Spoiler alert: watch/record today's Game 1 of the NLCS)
Gray is an excellent pitcher, and he is unique among A's pitchers with his plus power grades (momentum, torque). On the downside, he also has worse posture than most of the pitchers on Oakland's staff, and the A's may not enforce an adjustment given that his curveball is sensitive to the over-the-top slot. This makes Gray an intriguing commodity, but one with a couple of red flags. Wacha also has the over-the-top with a late posture change, but he lacks the plus momentum of Gray. Both pitchers have great stuff, but they also are two-pitch pitchers who need to develop a third offering in order to reach ceiling. Wacha is basically a fastball-changeup guy, and I think that his ability to succeed on his second go-around of the league will depend on the development of a breaking ball. Gray needs to harness a change-up. They are both promising prospects with an agenda for development, and they are both in excellent organization with respect to pitching development. Flip a coin as far as preference if making a decision today, but things could change quickly based on who is able to make adjustments. On the jukebox: Rolling Stones, "Under My Thumb" (Doug Thorburn) |
| 2013-09-17 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Can Sonny Gray keep this up? Can he be a #2 SP next season? (Mark from Oakland) | as much as I like him, I don't think what he's doing is sustainable. So I'll say no to both. (Harry Pavlidis) |
| 2013-08-12 14:00:00 (link to chat) | What do you think of Sonny Gray, both for this year and beyond? (Larry from New York) | I like what I see with Gray, and he stands out among Oakland pitchers with his high-end power grades (momentum, torque). He also stands out because he is weaker with balance and posture, traits that nearly all Oakland starters possess. The combination bodes well for Gray's future, as he is in a great organization to mold the balance factors, thus improving his biggest weakness. He could have some hiccups this season, but I think that the A's made a wise choice in promoting him into the #5 slot while Milone works on his game in the minors. (Doug Thorburn) |
| 2013-07-25 13:00:00 (link to chat) | If you are trading major league talent for prospects do you want bulk or elite. As example (from A's): Addison Russell or Sonny Gray, Michael Choice, Grant Green and Jemile Weeks. (hknova from Hong Kong) | I wouldn't trade for Grant Green. Give me the high ceiling guys; players with impact potential. You don't fly flags because of fringy talent. Impact players make impact teams. (Jason Parks) |
| 2013-07-16 13:00:00 (link to chat) | What are the immediate prospects for Sonny Gray? Does he crack the A's rotation? Or is he only starting in an injury situation? Why did the A's give him the pre-break taste of the majors? (Tim from Portland OR) | Discussed in the Call-Up this week,
"This is a short term move for Oakland, as Gray is being allowed to get his feet wet now while Oakland makes use of an extra roster spot for as long as they do not need a fifth starter. His stay may be limited for this call-up, but while there is no immediate opening for Gray in the rotation, he will without question be the first call once a starter is needed. He could follow in the footsteps of Tampa standouts David Price and Matt Moore, joining the Big Club for good later this year to provide meaningful innings for a playoff push and through October-be it in relief or as a starter-and should establish himself as a rotation mainstay next April at the latest." (Sam Miller) |
| 2013-06-25 13:00:00 (link to chat) | No Sonny Gray? A few weeks ago, he was hyped here as a near-ready potential #2 starter. Was he close? (Mike from Oakland) | I didn't make that claim, so he wasn't that high on my list. Originally, I think we had him in the ~40 range, but I slowly peeled him off because I question the likelihood that he reaches a #2 ceiling. (Jason Parks on the Midseason Top 50 Prospects) |
| 2013-06-13 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Are there any players who have basically come out of no where this year to the point where they are a top 50 type prospect? For example someone like Gregory Polanco last year. (petelunchbox from Handsome City) | You could say perhaps Raul Adalberto Mondesi, coming off his short-season resume last season. Sonny Gray has done a very nice job of reclaiming his prospect status (if not even surpassing it out of college). (Jason Cole) |
| 2013-06-13 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Speaking of short guys, if it's found that Bartolo Colon has been using articial means to maintain his physique, could Sonny Gray step in tomorrow and be a solid, #3-type starter? (Mario66 from Toronto) | There may be some initial growing pains but I think he could have some success this season and will be that. I've missed him personally this season, but gotten a lot of reports and all have been very good. The velocity has been good, the life on the fastball good, the angle a little better, the curveball sharper. After I got a lot of very iffy (with a couple solid) reports in 2012, they've been consistently very, very good this year. (Jason Cole) |
| 2013-06-04 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Paul, good afternoon
bigger impact next year for houston
Domingo Santana (OF) or J.Villar (SS)?
rate the 2nd half rotation impact: Sonny Gray ,Esmil Rodgers,S.Nolin and K.Zimmer (JohnnyT from NJ) | I'll say Villar because of position and speed translating quicker. Rogers if he starts, Gray, Nolin and Zimm (not sure he makes MLB this year) (Paul Sporer) |
| 2013-01-29 14:00:00 (link to chat) | It recently came out that Houston and Oakland were discussing a possible Jed Lowrie trade that would have sent Chris Carter and a pitcher to Houston. Should we be glad that it fell through? I have to believe that Lowrie would command more than that at the deadline if he's healthy for the first four months of the season. (Ashitaka1110 from Houston, TX) | It's hard to judge what a deal would have meant for each team without knowing all of the pieces involved, but a healthy Lowrie - given the dearth of productive hitters who can play a passable shortstop - could be an excellent trade chip.
A related question, from webberoo11, asked who the "young pitcher" from Oakland might have been. One of the "On the Outside Looking In" starting pitchers (http://www.mlbdepthcharts.com/2012/10/oakland-athletics-2012-13-offseason.html#.UQgmLInjkjE) might have made sense. Purely speculating, I'll say either Brad Peacock or Sonny Gray. (Daniel Rathman) |
| 2013-01-02 13:00:00 (link to chat) | What was your overall thoughts on the Cubs 2011 draft (ddivi23 from Bartlett) | Generally, I liked it. Vogelbach a little high for my taste (don't love that profile in the 2nd Round of such a stacked class), but the bat is really good and the make-up is quality, as well (which is important). I probably would have preferred someone else to Baez at that spot (Sonny Gray, Blake Swihart, Jose Fernandez), again solely because of the makeup of the draft class. Certainly nothing wrong with Baez there. I was good with Maples as a teen-round lotto ticket/luxury spend in the last free market draft. (Nick Faleris) |
| 2012-04-04 13:00:00 (link to chat) | Do you think Sonny Gray can stick in the rotation? With McCarthy and Colon sure to be dealt, how long until Gray, Parker and Peacock are up for good? (Shawn from CA) | I do. I assume that rotation is very young by this fall. (Jason Parks) |
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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile
A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC
Sonny Gray has thrown 25,941 pitches that have been tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2013 and 2024, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2024, he has relied primarily on his Slider (86mph) and Fourseam Fastball (93mph), also mixing in a Sinker (93mph), Curve (80mph), Cutter (89mph) and Change (89mph).
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