Josiah Gray

It's been a couple years since the Dodgers swindled the Reds in the deal that sent Gray to Los Angeles. They already flipped Jeter Downs to get Mookie Betts and Gray should start making an impact in the majors early this season. The converted shortstop has only been pitching full time for a few years, so it's quite the feat that he is not only close to big-league ready, but that he is a good bet to have a long career as a starting pitcher. The 6-foot-1 righty has a trio of above-average to plus offerings (fastball, slider, changeup) and his athleticism allows him to command his pitches quite well. He could have debuted last year if there was a need, and the Dodgers' internal depth could result in his debut coming as a swingman or reliever -- Dustin May's usage over the past couple years should be instructive. That usage may be frustrating early on, but eventually he should settle in as a rotation fixture.

From a fantasy standpoint, Jeter Downs was the jewel of the Dodgers' return from Cincinnati for Yasiel Puig, but Gray might have more real-life value. An athletic 6-foot-1 righty who has only been working as a starter for two years (dating back to college), Gray's mid-90s fastball remains his top offering, but his above-average slider and average changeup improved in his first full season. He does not generate groundballs at a high clip, but could end up with plus command/control. Gray climbed from Low-A (21.6 K-BB%) to High-A (25.1 K-BB%) and finished the year with an impressive run (18.6 K-BB%) as one of the youngest pitchers in the Texas League. The fact that he has come this far in less than two years in pro ball is incredibly impressive, and suggests that there is still more room for growth. He could reach the majors this summer as a reliever/swing man and could join the rotation full time in 2021.