Top 10 MLB rookies expected to be on Opening Day rosters

8 of 11

Mar 7, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) throws during the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jon Gray, SP, Colorado Rockies

Pitching prospects always face an uphill battle in Coors Field, but Gray has the repertoire to break out as a rookie in 2016.

After being selected third overall in the 2013 draft, Gray raced through the minor leagues, and reached the Majors late in 2015. Gray looked dominant through Double-A, and struck out no fewer than 21.7 percent of opposing batters at any stop in the minor leagues according to FanGraphs.

Gray’s nine starts to begin his major league career were filled with ups and downs, as he posted a 5.53 ERA and 3.63 FIP over 40.2 innings. However, the Rockies should be happy with his K/9 mark of 8.85, and Gray’s command looked a little better than it did at some levels of the minors.

Many believe Gray has some solid upside due to his plus fastball, which averaged close to 95 miles per hour in those nine starts last season. Breaking pitches are hard to deal with in Coors Field, but Gray’s slider looks like it could be a strong pitch as well. Developing a changeup will really be the key to how good Gray could be a little further down the line.

While Colorado may hurt Gray’s stats enough to keep him out of the Rookie of the Year race, he looks like a potential No. 2 starter down the road, and the Rockies need all the high-upside pitchers they can get. Expect Gray to show some flashes of brilliance in 2016, even if there are some rough patches as well.

Next: 3. Steven Matz, SP, New York Mets

Home/Atlanta Braves