Pirates May Have Unearthed Prospect Gem

Gray’s 2026 MLB.com scouting report, written before the season, highlighted two main concerns: a 32 percent chase rate in his final college season and a 19 percent miss rate.

Beyond the Numbers

Early data from Bradenton suggests the chase rate has dropped roughly four points to 28 percent, while his miss rate has declined to 14 percent. These improvements, while drawn from a small sample, are encouraging for the Pirates’ player development staff. However, his overall swing rate remains high compared to league average, and opposing pitchers may begin to attack him with off-speed pitches below the zone.

Defensively, Gray played exclusively at third base at Fresno State, where his arm strength was considered a viable tool for the position. His lack of first-step quickness and overall foot speed have limited his defensive impact, noted in the scouting report. Through 11 games at third base for Bradenton, he has committed one error. The organization has not yet moved him to first base, but pre-draft reports indicated that as a possible outcome if his defense does not improve.

So far, Gray has produced consistently against both left-handed and right-handed pitching, a testament to his .353 batting average. His 21 RBIs lead the Marauders through the first three weeks of the season.

The Pirates’ front office has not made any public statements about Gray’s timeline, but evaluations from the first month of Single-A play indicate his bat is still clearly ahead of his glove.

There's clearly a base that the team can build around for Gray to become a full-time big leaguer. The 2026 minor league season is still early, and pitchers in professional baseball are known to adapt quickly to aggressive hitters. For now, Gray’s production provides a positive early return on the Pirates’ Competitive Balance selection.