Jon Gray: N.L. Rookie of the Year Candidate in 2016?

Jon Gray made his MLB debut in the tail-end of the 2015 season; however, with rookie eligibility heading into 2016, is he a front-runner for Rookie of the Year?

The Colorado Rockies selected Jon Gray, out of the University of Oklahoma, with the third overall pick (1st round) in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft. Jon Gray regularly hit triple digits with his fastball as a member of the Sooners’ pitching staff, vaulting his draft stock heading into the draft. In addition to a plus-fastball, Jon Gray possesses an above-average slider and change-up. Moreover, Jon Gray is working on a curveball to expand his arsenal heading into 2016.

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Jon Gray possesses the best “stuff” out of any of the Colorado Rockies’ prospects, but he needs to work on his command to catapult himself into the upper echelon of starting pitchers. With the ability to touch 100 mph with his fastball, Jon Gray has the ability to mix up his pitches and keep hitters off balance on a regular basis. Jon Gray enters the 2016 season as the Colorado Rockies’ top rated pitcher, and many project him to be one of the most impressive right-handed pitchers in 2016.

Jon Gray made his MLB debut in the latter portion of the 2015 season; however, the Colorado Rockies kept him on a strict pitch count to limit his innings and exposure. There is speculation that the Colorado Rockies could limit his innings again in 2016, but after throwing 124.1 and 154.1 innings pitched in 2014 and 2015, respectively, it makes sense for the Colorado Rockies to allow Jon Gray to make the jump to the 180-200 innings pitched threshold.

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Jon Gray made nine starts for the Colorado Rockies in 2015, and he did not record his first decision until his eighth start of the season. Jon Gray finished the 2015 season with an 0-2 record, but he did not pitch past the sixth inning in any start on the season. Moreover, Jon Gray only recorded five or more innings pitched in four of his nine starts, strictly due to his pitch count limit.

By registering 40.2 innings pitched in 2015, Jon Gray carries rookie eligibility heading into the 2016 season, and he looks poised to improve on his numbers from a season ago. While a 5.53 ERA in 2015 is unsightly, digging deeper into Jon Gray’s stats shows promise, posting a 3.63 FIP and 3.84 xFIP, with an impressive 8.85 strikeout rate (K/9). Also, Jon Gray demonstrated an advanced ability to keep the ball in the ballpark, registering a 0.89 HR/9 through nine starts.