Los Angeles Dodgers farmhand Josiah Gray was named a finalist for Top Starting Pitcher and Breakout Prospect in the 2019 MiLBYs. Fans can vote online — without any limits — through Oct. 31.
Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Gray found his way to the Dodgers last December in a trade that saw Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Matt Kemp and Kyle Farmer head the other way.
Gray began his 2019 campaign with Low-A Great Lakes, where he made all five of his starts for the affiliate in April. The 21-year-old went 1-0 with a superb 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 23.1 innings of work, striking out 26 batters while walking just seven in those outings.
Gray’s performance earned him a quick promotion to High-A Rancho Cucamonga at the start of May. With the Quakes, he compiled a perfect 7-0 record, 2.14 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 80-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 67.1 innings pitched (12 starts).
Then at the midway point of July, Gray earned yet another promotion to Double-A Tulsa. He immediately thrived, earning Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors for July 29-Aug. 4.
In nine overall games for the Drillers (eight starts), Gray pitched to a 3-2 record, 2.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 41 strikeouts against 11 walks across 39.1 innings.
Making a combined 26 appearances (25 starts) for the Loons, Quakes and Drillers, Gray finished his first season in the Dodgers organization with an 11-2 record, 2.28 ERA and 147 strikeouts over 130 innings pitched.
As a result of his breakout success, Gray was one of five Dodgers prospects named included on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 update for the conclusion of the 2019 season (No. 76). The organization additionally named him Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Gavin Lux, who was named the Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year, is additionally a finalist for Top Offensive Player in the 2019 MiLBYs. Prior to being promoted to the Dodgers, he batted .392/.478/.719 with 18 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 39 RBI in 49 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Lux eventually earned a promotion to the Dodgers in September, appearing in 24 games to close out the regular season before being included on the club’s National League Division Series roster.
Lux started at second base in three of the five games and became the second-youngest player in MLB history to hit a home run in his first postseason plate appearance.
Lux also holds the record for youngest player in Dodgers franchise history to slug a homer in the playoffs, and their first to leave the yard in his first at-bat in the postseason.
