Josiah Gray struggled in the second half of the 2023 season after his first All-Star appearance, posting a 5.79 ERA, 5.40 FIP, and .252/.372/.392 batting average in 37 1/3 games through July. left. He lasted from the 16th until August 28th, but last month he regained his form and finished with a positive overall grade.
Gray, now 26, started four games in September and posted a 2.95 ERA, 4.94 FIP, and a .241/.322/.430 batting average in 21 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA to 3.91. Ta. This year, he started 30 games, posted a 4.93 FIP with 159 IP, 80 walks, 143 strikeouts, and a batting average of .251/.345/.412.
“I think any time we can finish a strong race, we can go into the offseason with a positive mindset,” he said after completing his 2023 run.
“I feel like I can check that box.
“We’ve had some good outings the last few times,” he explained. [bred] result. So I’m able to focus on those things and have a positive offseason and look forward to coming back from there next year. ”
Gray’s walk count exceeded his 2022 total (80 in 159 IP, 4.53 BB/9; up from 66 in 148 2⁄3 IP. 4.00BB/9 ’22), but right-handed players had 16 fewer home runs (Total of 22 pieces. 1.59 HR/9; dropped from league-leading 38. 22 years 2.30 HR/9) and over the winter he went through a similar therapy to prepare for 2023.
“The offseason was pretty much the same,” he said in an interview on MLB Network Radio in late January before the start of spring training. “I’m tweaking the sinker a little more and trying to make it run more, but other than that, I’d say everything else remains the same.”
“Obviously,” he added, “…I’m still trying to refine everything in the mix, whether it’s my breaking ball, my cutter, my four-seam fastball, and now I’m throwing the changeup a little bit more and getting it. “We’re making sure that’s the two sides of the coin.” But yeah, a lot of what I’ve done so far has been just tinkering with things and trying to refine things a little bit without making too many adjustments. ”
After accomplishing everything he accomplished last season, the starter said he wants to take the next step.
“I’m naturally interested in, ‘What can I do next?'” he says.
Gray was named the opening starter a few weeks ago, indicating to the club’s upper echelons that he is ready to take another step in his development.
“Last year, the big moment for him was being in the All-Star Game. He ended up pitching one inning, and he did really well,” Martinez said. Quoted by Jessica Camerato of MLB.comafter giving Gray the nod for the 2024 season opener.
“This is the next step in his career. I think he’s a good fit.”
The Reds’ 2018 second-round pick is dodgers He moved at the end of 2018 and debuted in Los Angeles in 2021, but earned opening day duties before being sent to Washington in the blockbuster trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner that July. It was a clear sign of progress.
“‘Progress’ is probably the first word that comes to mind because I’ve been a major leaguer and I’ve made it through the league in a short amount of time,” Gray told reporters.
“I remember my first major league camp with the Dodgers and getting cut and thinking how it felt at that time. And then you’re our first arm from spring training heading into the season. It’s really cool and really surreal to say that’s going to happen.”
“He’s grown so much since the first day I met him,” Martinez said.
“Even after the struggles of last year, he’s changed a lot. Coming to camp, he’s changed a lot in terms of growth. Understanding who he is and working on it instead of reinventing the wheel. Work on what needs to be done. …I’m proud of him. We asked him to do some things over the winter and he did it. He’s in great shape. He’s in camp and ready to go.”
Gray had a 6.61 ERA, 13 walks, 25 Ks, and a .288 BAA in 16 games. 1⁄3 However, he told reporters that the work he has put in over the past few weeks has allowed him to accomplish what he wanted to do heading into the regular season.
“Statistically, it wasn’t very good,” he admitted. Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASNafter the last spring start.
“That’s how you look at it. But I always think about each outing separately. …I think it’s been a pretty good spring. What I’ve been working on is improving my weapons. But I think there’s still a lot of things to jump on. I’m really looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow and seeing where I can improve.”
For Gray, getting the nod on opening day meant a lot, and he said his captain’s faith in him meant a lot.
“Being nominated on opening day shows the level of trust and support from Davey, the front office and everyone.” gray Said, Quoted by Washington Times reporter Liam Griffin.
“I think last year, more than anything, I proved to myself that I can do this at a level where I can really help the team win…I’m looking forward to what this year brings and what we can do as a team. Team. “
How will Gray fare on Opening Day against the organization that drafted and traded him? We’ll find out this afternoon…
