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Rockies Jon Gray: Fantasy Star on the Rise

By Robert McGeorge

Jun 1, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the sun setting behind Coors Field during the fifth inning of the game between the Cincinnati Reds against the Colorado Rockies The Reds defeated the Rockies 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the sun setting behind Coors Field during the fifth inning of the game between the Cincinnati Reds against the Colorado Rockies The Reds defeated the Rockies 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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In his first full MLB season, Rockies young right-hander Jon Gray has opened eyes with his dominance on the mound and his high strikeout rate.

Fantasy owners have yet to take serious notice of Rockies young pitcher, Jon Gray, but they will in the near future. Gray was one of the Rockies top pitching prospects in recent years; rightfully so with his ability to strikeout batters. As he gets more and more experience on the MLB mound, he will only improve. He is already proving that he has adjusted to the MLB stage. Gray has been dominant for Colorado over the past month.

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Gray was drafted third overall by the Rockies back in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Oklahoma. He has made his way up the ranks over the past couple of seasons, culminating in his MLB debut just last year.

He was not overly impressive in his first stint in the majors. In 40.2 innings pitched last year, he recorded an overall 5.53 ERA with 40 strikeouts. He was still averaging nearly a strikeout per inning, but was not able to keep consistent control.

Here in 2016 however, Jon Gray has appeared to have adjusted and figured out his pitches. So far this season, he is 4-2 with a 4.70 ERA, and 68 strikeouts in just 59.1 innings pitched. He is now averaging over a strikeout per inning, a stat which fantasy owners love to see. Don’t let his current 4.70 ERA fool you though; Gray has dictated the pace of the game in all but two appearances this season.

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In those two starts, Gray surrendered six and nine earned runs respectively. His last implosion was nearly a month ago where the game simply got away from him. He simply did not have his “stuff” that day. In his last four starts however, Gray is 3-0, lasting at least six innings, and surrendering no more than three earned runs in each start. His ERA has been lowered by over two runs in this span. On May 19, he had a horrid 6.75 ERA, which is now 4.70.

Jon Gray during this span has been averaging nearly 20 fantasy points a start for his owners. Those are numbers you will see the best pitchers in the game put up. It is not surprising to see, because Gray is a strikeout machine. His only down fall at this point, is pitching at Coors Field for the Rockies.

Coors Field is certainly one of the more hitter friendly parks in the MLB. If Jon Gray can keep his strikeout rate up where it currently stands however, I wouldn’t worry too much about Coors.

The Rockies are certainly animated about the promise this 24-year-old is showing in his young MLB career. Fantasy owners too should be thrilled with that they are seeing. Gray is currently owned in under 40% of ESPN leagues out there. Expect this to change in the coming weeks as Gray looks to keep this dominating pace going.

I see a lot of Clayton Kershaw in this young man. By seasons end, he can be a quality keeper for your team. He still has much more room to grow and get even better. By next year, he can be an ace.

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Go out and grab Jon Gray while you still can. He is a much more viable option to have at pitcher than other free agents you may find. He possesses more talent than many of the pitchers on your roster currently as well. As he gets more experience, look for Gray to keep lighting up the stat sheet for your team.

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