Dodgers: Josiah Gray Replaces Will Smith on Top 100 Prospect List
Right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray has made it onto the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list, replacing catcher Will Smith, who recently lost his prospect status.
With Will Smith graduating from the #MLB's Top 100 Prospects list, another #Dodgers prospect — 21-year-old RHP Josiah Gray — enters: https://t.co/aG46Y0calQ pic.twitter.com/L0mDuZ1D9u
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 27, 2019
Gray, 21, has been a pleasant surprise since he was traded over from the Cincinnati Reds in the Yasiel Puig deal. He was acquired along with another Dodgers top prospect, middle infielder Jeter Downs.
Gray has moved quickly this season, starting for the Great Lakes Loons and now pitching for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. He holds a 2.09 ERA in 129 1/3 innings of work across the three levels, striking out 145 batters. For Double-A Tulsa in particular, Gray has made eight appearances (seven starts) of a 2.09 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He is good.
Here is a look at MLB Pipeline’s scouting report on the 21-year-old right-hander:
“If he can refine his secondary pitches and command, he could become a mid-rotation starter. If he winds up in the bullpen, he might sit in the mid-90s with his lively heater.”
Fangraphs’ primary prospect evaluators Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen also penned a few words regarding Gray:
“The athleticism, small school pedigree, and position player conversion aspect of the profile indicates there’s significant potential for growth as Gray gets on-mound experience. He projects as No. 4 starter, with a chance to be more because of his late-bloomer qualities.”
He currently ranks as the Dodgers’ fourth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline, trailing only super-prospects Gavin Lux, Dustin May, and Keibert Ruiz. Gray has begun to make his case heard for being the best pitching prospect in the organization not named Dustin May — a list that includes Tony Gonsolin and Mitchell White.
We could see Josiah Gray at Chavez Ravine as early as 2020 — simply the next elite pitching prospect to come through the Dodgers’ farm system.