Oakland Athletics Minor League Players - Sonny Gray

Sonny Douglas Gray (born November 7, 1989, in Smyrna, Tennessee) is a first round pick by the Oakland Athletics, currently pitching for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats in the A's minor league system.

Sonny was born to Cindy and Jesse Gray. Jesse died in a car accident during his freshman year of high school, just as Sonny started playing baseball for Smyrna High School. As a freshman, he pitched and played left field and was named Freshman of the Year in District 9AAA. As a sophomore, he suffered injuries and saw limited action during the season. As a junior, he led his team to the 2007 State Tournament with a masterful 11-2 record and a 0.95 ERA. This earned him a nod for the AFLAC All-American High School Baseball Classic and a nomination for National Player of the Year (which Tim Melville ultimately won). As a senior, he dominated once again, going 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA. However, he was injured in a district game against Hendersonville in April 2008 and never played again. He also excelled at the plate, batting over .500 his last two seasons at Smyrna, but instead opted to pitch in college.

In addition to his success on the mound, he also played quarterback for Smyrna's football team, guiding them to back-to-back 5A State titles in 2006 and 2007. He was voted Gatorade Player of the Year by The Tennessean in 2007 and 2008 for his overall athletic success.

Having already made a verbal commitment to Vanderbilt University before Smyrna's state tournament run, he was drafted in the 27th round by the Chicago Cubs in the 2008 MLB Draft. He did not sign with the team.

As a freshman at Vanderbilt, he began as a relief pitcher, earning four saves before moving to a starter's role late in the season. Although posting a 4.30 ERA, he began to improve over the next two years. He was designated as the ace of Vandy's staff in 2010 and 2011. In 2010, he went 10-5 with a 3.48 ERA, but lead the team in strikeouts (113). Sonny's junior year was his most successful, as he went 12-4 with a 2.43 ERA and 132 Ks. He also helped Vandy earn their first ever College World Series berth, making it to the semifinals and losing to national runner-up Florida.

Sonny elected to forego his senior year at Vanderbilt and entered the draft. He was selected 18th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2011 MLB Draft and was signed for $1.54 million dollar signing bonus.

• Career statistics and player information from The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• VU Commodores.com
• MLB.com
• Sonny Gray