Josiah Gray slicing down on homers, discovering consistency as Nationals pitcher makes leap

Last season, Josiah Gray not solely gave up probably the most dwelling runs in MLB with 38, however the Washington Nationals pitcher solely had 5 video games during which he didn’t permit a house run. For context, he began 28 video games — which implies in 23 of them, Gray watched the ball come out of his hand and an opposing batter hit it over the fence no less than as soon as. 

But in 2023, Gray seems to have fastened that drawback. Significantly. 

Gray already has gone 4 of his six outings with out giving up a house run, and in that span, he’s lowered his ERA to a career-best 2.67. The 23-year-old completed April with 31 strikeouts and a WHIP (walks and hits allowed divided by innings pitched) of 1.277. Against the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, Gray went six innings and allowed only one run over 105 pitches in Washington’s 7-2 win. 

“In anything, especially pitching, it’s about consistency,” Gray advised reporters. “I’m showing myself I can be consistent over the course of a month. Now, it’s the next month. It’s May. It’s what can I do for the rest of the five months we have ahead of us?”

Gray’s enchancment in April, although, nonetheless mattered for the Nationals, particularly as a result of the pitcher’s month didn’t begin out the best way he or the crew envisioned. In his season debut towards the Atlanta Braves, Gray was battered on the mound as he surrendered 5 runs and three dwelling runs. Atlanta punished Gray for his lack of precision because the hurler left a collection of pitches over the center of the plate. 

That tough outing turned out to be extra the exception than the rule. There have been indicators in spring coaching, too, that Gray was on the verge of constructing a leap in 2023. The 2018 second-rounder added a cutter to his arsenal of pitches, which helped him idiot batters with an off-speed pitch. And in 5 spring coaching begins, Gray went the whole spring with out giving up the lengthy ball.

Manager Dave Martinez stated Gray is beginning to perceive “who he is and what he wants to do.” He pointed to the pitcher’s adjustment towards the Pirates during which Gray racked up his pitch depend early however settled right down to final a full six innings. 

“He’s been unbelievable since spring training,” Martinez stated. “His routine, the way he’s going about his business, the way he’s mapping out the gameplan … it’s just a testament to what he wants to do. Right now, he’s doing unbelievable. He’s giving us an opportunity to win.”

Gray’s win-loss remains to be 2-4, and his successful share could not see a dramatic bump this season because the Nationals are nonetheless rebuilding. But Gray’s improvement for the Nationals issues far more in the long term. He and catcher Keibert Ruiz have been the centerpieces of the Max Scherzer-Trea Turner commerce in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Nationals already rewarded Ruiz with an eight-year, $50 million contract, and now Gray must proceed to point out his development. 

So far, so good. Since that Atlanta recreation, Gray’s lone dwelling run allowed was a solo shot in an April 11 loss to Los Angeles Angels. Beyond limiting his dwelling runs, Gray has additionally diminished his variety of walks. He’s holding opponents to only 3.5 walks per 9 innings, additionally a career-best. 

In his final 5 begins, Gray has had a 1.57 ERA with 27 strikeouts, 23 hits and 11 walks.