With Esmailin Caridad hitting the 15-day DL, Jeff Gray has been called-up from Iowa (press release). Gray was acquired from Oakland and projected to be part of the Opening Day roster. Unfortunatly, he was slowed by a groin injury in Spring Training. He hasn't worked back-to-back days yet, but in the course of five days of Iowa he threw on three days, taking the 2nd and 4th off, with two innings on the middle day. Ready enough.
I looked at Gray quickly this offseason, but here's a refresher. I like him.
Gray has been a solid ground ball pitcher with an almost as good K:BB ratio from AA through the majors. He throws what looks like a two-seam fastball in the mid-90s with tail and sink, so right there I'm hooked. Gray backs it up with a four-seam fastball (I'm 90% confident on my splits on his two- and four-seamers at this point), a high-80s slider and a high-70s curve. I think he also has a 91 mph change-up.
If he comes as advertised he won't strike out too many batters, despite the hard stuff. What he will be is stingy with the walks and tough on the infield worms.
Original Story:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cubsfx...
I looked at Gray quickly this offseason, but here's a refresher. I like him.
Gray has been a solid ground ball pitcher with an almost as good K:BB ratio from AA through the majors. He throws what looks like a two-seam fastball in the mid-90s with tail and sink, so right there I'm hooked. Gray backs it up with a four-seam fastball (I'm 90% confident on my splits on his two- and four-seamers at this point), a high-80s slider and a high-70s curve. I think he also has a 91 mph change-up.
If he comes as advertised he won't strike out too many batters, despite the hard stuff. What he will be is stingy with the walks and tough on the infield worms.
Original Story:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cubsfx...
