Thread: Twins Potential 2013 Draft Pick: Jon Gray

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/onlin...3/2614887.html. This story details his ascension to top 10 (as Jim Callis stated in a recent chat) status.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Originally Posted by mike wants wins

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?

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?

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Twins Twerp

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.

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

...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.

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

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.

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

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.

Originally Posted by mike wants wins

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.

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

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