The Los Angeles Dodgers got a look at one of their top pitching prospects in their final exhibition game against the L.A. Angels as Josiah Gray was given the start on the mound.
Gray gave up an early solo home run to Tommy La Stella, but then was able to settle in and work 3.2 innings of two-run ball while allowing three hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
The Angels’ lineup is much-improved from the last couple of years, so Gray was pleased with what he was able to accomplish against them in his first taste of big-league action.
“I think I did pretty well, considering that lineup I had to face,” Gray said after his outing. “I got behind a couple too many hitters, but honestly other than that I felt my stuff was in the zone as much as it could be. There of course are some things to work on, but overall I’m happy with the outing.
“As I continue to go and get guys out, that confidence is naturally going to continue to increase. This outing is nothing different. Seeing those guys I got out with certain stuff and sequences we used, that continues to build my confidence every day to know I belong at this level.”
Considering the amount of depth the Dodgers have in their starting rotation, it’s not necessarily all that likely Gray makes an impact in 2020. He will head to the team’s alternate training site at USC once the season starts and be ready if his name is called.
“Honestly, everything I’ll continue to work on will be the same,” he said. “Just refining the breaking ball, changeup, continue to utilize the whole part of the zone. Hopefully I’ll be able to do it for these guys at Dodger Stadium this year.”
What it’s like to face Trout
Gray got the chance to face the best player in baseball, Mike Trout, twice in his outing. After walking him in the first inning, Gray rebounded to get him to groundout to third the second time around
“Facing a guy like Mike Trout, you try to stick to the scouting report as much as you can. We had a pretty thorough report on him and how I would utilize my stuff to try to get him out,” Gray explained.
“At the end of the day, it’s just attacking the zone. I think we had two 3-2 counts, that’s more or less just me not executing my pitches. At the end of the day he walked and we got him to ground out. It’s going in, knowing our approach and where to get him out.”
At just 22 years of age, Gray already seems to be wise beyond his years and figures to be a mainstay in the Dodgers’ rotation for years to come.
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