The 100 Greatest Colorado Rockies: 74 Jon Gray

We continue our look at the top 100 Colorado Rockies of all time in this article. Here, we look at No. 74 on our list, Jon Gray.

Before Jon Gray’s career is said and done, he will be much higher on the list of the greatest Colorado Rockies.

Gray didn’t earn his first win until May of 2016 mostly due to a lack of run support. Gray had his best game of his career striking out 16 in a complete game shutout that was one of few highlights in September of last season.

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The “Gray Wolf” seems to be embracing Coors Field and not using it as a crutch if he has a bad game. He is finding ways to be successful in Denver. That didn’t necessarily come right away. But Gray said his time pitching in 2015 towards the end of the season, was a great launching pad for the success he experienced last season in 2016.

In 2015 he went 0-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched. In 2016 after adding a curveball to his arsenal, he went 10-10 with a 4.61 ERA in 168.0 innings good enough for a 2.3 WAR and a .3 WAR in 2015.

Gray’s most devastating pitch is his fastball and really the example of how Jeff Bridich is trying to rebuild this Rockies rotation. He had a 185 strikeouts last season and he commands the ball best when he is pitching at home.

Jeff Hoffman, another great Rockies pitching prospect who sits next to Gray in the clubhouse, said that he is asking advice from Gray consistently since they are going through similar experiences but only a year a part.

Gray is already a mentor in the Rockies clubhouse and he is willing to talk to the media and give insight on his pitching almost at any time. The “Gray Wolf” howls may come most often after striking out an opposing batter but he knows how to liven up his teammates in the clubhouse.

Next: Colorado Rockies: 5 Predictions for 2017 Spring Training

This leader in the clubhouse will be at the top of the rotation when this team starts to compete for the playoffs. Gray’s lore will only rise as he becomes an even more of a vital piece in Rockies history.

Check out the previous story in this list about number 75 Juan Uribe here.