Colorado Rockies: Pulling for the return of the big, bad Gray Wolf

DENVER, CO - JULY 14: Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by Tony Wolters #14 and Kyle Freeland #21 after pitching a perfect first inning against the Seattle Mariners during a game at Coors Field on July 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 14: Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by Tony Wolters #14 and Kyle Freeland #21 after pitching a perfect first inning against the Seattle Mariners during a game at Coors Field on July 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

There is no question that one of the most interesting storylines heading into next season for the Colorado Rockies is what happens to Jon Gray.

In this excellent article by Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, Jon Gray opens up about just how angry he was during last season’s tough times, including going from Opening Day starter to being sent to Triple-A. Saunders also gets some interesting perspective from Adam Ottavino about how he faced similar times with the Colorado Rockies during the 2017 season and how his feelings mirrored much of what Gray felt last year.

We have had articles on this site (including this one) discussing what a potential trade for Gray might look like if the Rockies believed a fresh start benefit him more than keeping him as a part of the Rockies rotation. The truth, however, is this … Colorado will be a stronger team next season if Gray can overcome his issues from last season and return to the form that we have all seen him flash from time to time over the previous two campaigns.

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The truth is also this … we are cheering for the 27-year-old right-hander to battle Kyle Freeland and German Marquez for the title of “ace” on next year’s Rockies team. A strong Gray means the Rockies have a very solid 1-2-3 starting pitching punch that, on paper, would cause problems for any other National League team.

The third overall pick in the 2013 draft, Gray has earned plenty of barbs for pitching performances in the 2017 Wild Card Game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and his final start of the 2018 regular season when he couldn’t help the Rockies earn a key win against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. However, all Rockies fans can agree that, if Gray can put things together mentally and physically, Colorado would field arguably its strongest rotation in franchise history. And that is a huge step toward winning the franchise’s first-ever National League West crown.

Like you, we’ll be keeping up with Gray and his progress in the offseason. How that goes could not only impact his career but also Colorado’s chances of going even further in the postseason in 2019.

Keep working hard, Gray Wolf. We’re pulling for you.

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