Dodgers: Josiah Gray Listed as an Early Rookie of the Year Candidate for 2021
It’s the offseason, so what better way to spend our time than thinking ahead to what could happen in the 2021 season. It’s hard to top a year in which your franchise wins their first World Series in 32 years, but that’s what the Dodgers are looking to do. Part of that success will likely once again come from the organization’s depth in the minor leagues.
The Dodgers have done an amazing job in scouting arms and building them up at the minor league level. This has been one of the main goals set forth by new ownership when they took over following the dreadful Frank McCourt era. One of the latest arms that the team is excited to see is Josiah Gray.
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Gray was recently listed on MLB’s early picks for the 2021 Rookie of the Year candidates. Josiah was the pick for the Dodgers as MLB writers chose one player from every organization. Gray was part of the trade that sent Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Matt Kemp, and Kyle Farmer the Reds in December of 2018. Los Angeles also ended up with Jeter Downs in that trade, who was later flipped to Boston in the Mookie Betts deal.
Gray is a converted shortstop turned star pitching prospect. The Reds picked him up in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft and now ranks as the Dodgers top prospect. His pitch mix features a fastball that tops out around 97 mph and a slider that experts think can end up being a plus pitch for him.
If Gray were to win the Rookie of the Year Award in 2021. he would be the third Dodgers player in the last 6 years. A little early, but Gray’s early numbers would suggest that he is more than ready to take on the role.
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A chalk pick because he’s the Dodgers’ top prospect and they had to pick someone. Gray is a talent we all want to see but, truthfully, the team has six starters now. Where’s his opportunity next season? Perhaps they’ll use him in middle relief while he bides his time.
I find it interesting sports writers needing to write articles linking the Dodgers with Bauer which just doesn’t make any sense.
The Dodgers have a starting rotation for 2021 that is as talented as any in the league. They have a great mix of veterans in Kershaw and Price and some amazing young arms in Buehler, Urias, May, and Gonsolin that proved their worth in the Playoffs.
On the 60 man roster in 2020, the Dodgers had young pitchers besides the ones mentioned such as White, Santana, and Gray with Gonzalez pitching effectively in long and short relief when Ferguson was injured.
I agree with Bum4ever in that they had to write something so they picked Gray. They could have picked White or one of the other young arms that are still rated as rookies.
I would guess depending on free agents signings and trades the Dodgers will use some of their young arms in the bullpen. Guys like White, Santana, Gray, etc along with Knack and others. This has been the Dodger MO as they have eased May and Gonsolin along.
The Dodgers are rich in young pitching and must integrate them soon as in 2021 and 2022 they will lose some of them to the Rule 5 Draft if they do not.