Sonny Gray is a highly regarded professional baseball pitcher who has played for various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) throughout his career.
One of the key aspects of a pitcher’s success is their pitch repertoire – the different types of pitches that they throw and how they use them to deceive batters and get outs.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Sonny Gray’s pitch repertoire, including his four-seam fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup.
We will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each pitch, compare them to other MLB pitchers, and explore any changes or developments in his pitch selection over the years.
By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of what makes Sonny Gray such an effective pitcher and how his pitch repertoire has contributed to his success on the mound.
Sonny Gray’s Pitch Repertoire
Four-seam Fastball
Sonny Gray’s four-seam fastball is a traditional fastball with a high spin rate and backspin, which helps it stay on a straight path through the air. It is typically his primary pitch, thrown at an average velocity of around 93 mph.
While it may not have as much movement as some of his other pitches, Gray’s four-seam fastball has good command and he is able to locate it effectively throughout the strike zone. He uses this pitch to get ahead in the count and to set up his other pitches.
Curveball
Gray’s curveball is a breaking ball that he throws with a 12-6 downward movement. It has an average velocity of around 79 mph and is a slower pitch compared to his fastball.
This pitch has a high spin rate and Gray is able to get a lot of vertical movement on it, making it difficult for hitters to make solid contact. He typically throws this pitch when he is ahead in the count or when he needs a strikeout.
Slider
Gray’s slider is his second most commonly used pitch, and it has been a key pitch for him throughout his career. It has an average velocity of around 85 mph and sweeps across the zone with exceptional depth.
It has a late-breaking, sweeping movement that makes it difficult for hitters to pick up, particularly when it is thrown at the back foot of a right-handed hitter or the front foot of a left-handed hitter. Gray uses his slider to generate swings and misses, particularly in two-strike counts.
Changeup
Gray’s changeup is a slower pitch that he throws with an average velocity of around 87 mph. It has a similar arm action to his fastball, but with a grip that allows it to come out of his hand more slowly and with a downward movement.
This pitch is effective against opposite-handed hitters, as it moves away from them and can induce weak contact. Gray typically uses this pitch as a “show-me” pitch to keep hitters off balance.
Other Pitches
While Gray primarily relies on his four-seam fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup, he may also mix in a sinker or a cutter from time to time. These pitches are less commonly used, but they can add an extra element of unpredictability to his pitch repertoire.
Overall, Sonny Gray’s pitch repertoire is diverse and effective, allowing him to keep hitters guessing and generate a high number of swings and misses.
Analysis of Sonny Gray’s Pitches
Comparison to Other Mlb Pitchers
Sonny Gray’s pitch repertoire is often compared to that of other successful MLB pitchers, particularly those who rely heavily on breaking balls and off-speed pitches.
His slider, in particular, is often compared to that of former MLB pitcher and current pitching coach Brent Strom, who also had a slider with exceptional depth and movement.
Gray’s four-seam fastball is also similar in velocity and movement to that of other successful pitchers such as Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Pitch
Gray’s four-seam fastball is a reliable pitch that he can throw for strikes and use to get ahead in the count. However, it lacks the movement of some of his other pitches, which can make it easier for hitters to square up if they are able to time it correctly.
His curveball and slider are both strong pitches that generate a lot of swings and misses, but they can be inconsistent at times and Gray has been known to leave them over the plate on occasion.
His changeup is a solid off-speed pitch that he uses to keep hitters off balance, but it is not his most effective pitch and he doesn’t rely on it as heavily as his other pitches.
How Sonny Gray Uses His Pitch Repertoire to Get Hitters Out
Sonny Gray uses his pitch repertoire to keep hitters off balance and generate swings and misses. He often starts hitters off with his four-seam fastball, working the corners of the strike zone to get ahead in the count.
From there, he mixes in his curveball and slider to get hitters to chase pitches out of the zone or miss altogether. He may also use his changeup to induce weak contact or set up his other pitches.
Gray is known for his ability to locate his pitches effectively, particularly his breaking balls, which can make it difficult for hitters to make solid contact. By constantly changing speeds and locations, Gray is able to keep hitters guessing and get them out in a variety of ways.
Evolution of Sonny Gray’s Pitch Repertoire
Sonny Gray’s pitch repertoire has evolved over the years as he has worked to refine his mechanics and improve his effectiveness on the mound. One notable change in his pitch selection occurred in 2017 when he began using his slider more frequently as his primary secondary pitch.
Prior to that, his curveball had been his go-to breaking ball. This change was attributed to Gray’s increased comfort and confidence in his slider, which had developed exceptional movement and was generating more swings and misses than his curveball.
Another change in Gray’s pitch selection occurred in 2020 when he began incorporating a sinker into his repertoire more frequently. This was likely due to the fact that he was struggling with his four-seam fastball, which was being hit hard by opposing hitters.
By adding the sinker, Gray was able to keep hitters off balance and generate more ground balls, which helped him to be more effective overall.
Possible reasons for changes in pitch usage include mechanical adjustments, changes in pitch effectiveness, and a desire to keep hitters off balance.
Gray may also make changes in his pitch selection based on scouting reports and game situations, as he seeks to exploit opposing hitters’ weaknesses and tendencies.
Overall, Sonny Gray’s pitch repertoire has undergone changes over the years as he has worked to refine his mechanics and improve his effectiveness on the mound.
By staying open to new approaches and adapting to changes in the game, Gray has been able to remain one of the most effective pitchers in the league.
Outlining Sonny Gray’s Pitch Repertoire
| Pitch Type | Description | Velocity (mph) | Movement | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four-seam fastball | Straight pitch with a slight rise | 93 | Slight vertical movement | 29.3% |
| Curveball | 12-6 curve with a sharp downward break | 79 | Significant vertical and horizontal movement | 17.5% |
| Slider | Sweep across the zone with exceptional depth | 85 | Significant horizontal movement, minimal vertical movement | 36.5% |
| Changeup | Pitch that mimics fastball release with reduced velocity and late fade | 87 | Minimal horizontal and vertical movement | 16.7% |
| Sinker | Two-seam fastball with sinking movement | 93 | Significant vertical and horizontal movement | 0.1% |
This table provides an at-a-glance summary of the key characteristics of each of Gray’s pitches, including their velocity, movement, and usage rate.
It also shows that Gray relies most heavily on his slider, using it nearly 37% of the time, while his sinker is used only sparingly. Overall, this table provides a useful snapshot of Gray’s pitch repertoire and how he uses it to get hitters out.
FAQs
Has Sonny Gray always had a strong pitch repertoire?
Gray has always had a solid pitch repertoire, even dating back to his college days at Vanderbilt. However, his pitches have become more refined and effective over time as he has worked to improve his mechanics and gain experience at the Major League level.
How does Sonny Gray’s pitch selection change from game to game?
Gray’s pitch selection can vary from game to game depending on the opposing team’s lineup and scouting reports. He may rely more heavily on certain pitches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing hitters.
Is Sonny Gray known for having a specific pitch that he relies on more than others?
Gray is known for having an exceptional slider that he uses frequently and relies on heavily to generate swings and misses. However, he also mixes in his other pitches effectively to keep hitters off balance and get them out in a variety of ways.
Has Sonny Gray made any significant changes to his pitch selection over the course of his career?
Gray has made several notable changes to his pitch selection over the years, such as incorporating his slider more frequently in 2017 and adding a sinker to his repertoire in 2020. These changes have been driven by a desire to improve his effectiveness on the mound and stay ahead of opposing hitters.
How does Sonny Gray compare to other top pitchers in terms of his pitch selection?
Gray’s pitch repertoire is often compared to that of other successful pitchers, particularly those who rely heavily on breaking balls and off-speed pitches. His slider has been compared to that of Brent Strom, and his four-seam fastball is similar in velocity and movement to that of other successful pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer.
Conclusion
Sonny Gray has developed a formidable pitch repertoire over the course of his career, featuring a mix of fastballs, breaking balls, and off-speed pitches. His slider, in particular, is a standout pitch that has developed exceptional movement and depth.
Gray is a master at using his pitch selection to keep hitters off balance and generate swings and misses, and he has demonstrated a willingness to adapt and evolve his pitch selection over time in order to remain effective on the mound.
As a result, he is widely regarded as one of the top pitchers in the league and a major asset to any team that he pitches for.
