Colorado Rockies: 5 Bold Predictions for the Second Half

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Jul 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray (55) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Jon Gray Will Win the NL Rookie of the Year Award

Gray is getting better and better with every start. Since the All-Star break, Gray has gone 2-0, with an 0.86 ERA, having pitched seven innings in three straight games, and only allowing one run or fewer in each start. Gray is the first Rockies pitcher in club history to achieve this feat.

Gray’s seven wins are ranked third in the NL for rookie starting pitchers (only the Dodgers Kenta Maeda (nine) and the Brewers Zach Davies (eight) have more wins.

Gray’s overall stats compare favorably with both Maeda and Davies:

Maeda: 9-7, 3.25 ERA, 113.2 IP, 41 ER, 12 HR allowed, 32 BB, 115 Ks;
Davies: 8-4, 3.59 ERA, 105.1 IP, 42 ER, 12 HR allowed, 27 BB, 85 Ks;
Gray: 7-4, 3.94 ERA, 109.2 IP, 48 ER, 13 HR allowed, 35 BB, 114 Ks

When you take into account the Coors Field effect, Gray’s stats are more impressive. Dodger Stadium is a pitcher’s park and Milwaukee, to be fair, is more of a hitter’s park, but it’s not Coors Field. Since the All-Star break, Maeda has a 6.30 ERA and Davies has a 1.37 ERA. Gray has out-pitched them both.

Gray is developing his secondary pitches to be more effective, which will benefit him the rest of the season. His slider and his fastball are his best pitches, but his curveball and changeup are becoming increasingly good.

If Gray can break the 10-win barrier in his rookie season, and he remains dominant like he has shown since the break, he will deserve the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

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