As EvoShield’s Lone Underclassman, Joe Gray Plays Leading Role

SARASOTA, Fla.—The EvoShield Canes have become one of the most dominant travel ball programs in the country, as evidenced by their unprecedented three consecutive titles at the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla.

The Canes got their fall season underway by bringing a talent-laden team this weekend to the inaugural Wilson Premier Classic, being held at the Orioles spring training complex. While players such as outfielder/righthander Jordon Adell, lefthander Seth Corry and third baseman Ashton McGee are the main attraction for scouts this year, outfielder Joe Gray, a junior at Hattiesburg (Miss.) High, offers an early glimpse of the 2018 draft class.

Gray is one of a handful of juniors playing up a class at the tournament. But he is the only underclassman on the Canes’ roster and is playing a prominent role as leadoff hitter.

“We don’t look at Joe Gray as an underclassman,” coach Jeff Petty said. “We feel like he can play with our older players and expect him to step right in and perform at the highest level, and he’s been able to do that.”

Gray, listed at 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, is a potential five-tool player. He is still making the adjustment to the older pitching he is facing at the Wilson Premier Classic, but he has easy bat speed in his righthanded swing that gives him the ability to make a lot of hard contact. He is a plus runner and has a strong arm, making him a good defender in the outfield.

Gray said it has been an adjustment to facing older pitchers, but he is quickly getting used to the higher level of competition.

“I feel kind of tight, but it’s more like I’m just having to find my timing,” he said. “Just figuring out when to get my foot down and when to time the pitching. I’ll come back around.”

Petty said that while it is easy to focus on Gray’s raw tools, he also has an advanced understanding of the game.
“He’s a smart baseball player,” Petty said. “He’s not one of those toolsy kids that doesn’t know how to play. He’s played a lot of baseball and he’s gotten a lot of good coaching from his dad and things like that and he really knows the game.”

In addition to being the rare 2018 graduate playing in the 2017 age group, Gray is also one of the few elite players to remain uncommitted as his junior year begins. He said he and his family have tried to be thorough throughout the recruiting process, but he is also getting close to making a decision.

“That’s a choice that’s going to change my life,” Gray said. “As a family, we feel like we should just wait. I’m going to commit soon, it’s just up to me now.”

The 2018 draft is still 19 months away, and much can change in that time. But it seems likely that Gray will face another big decision then, as he could be faced with choosing between playing professionally and going on to college.

That decision remains a long way off. For now, Gray is focused on improving as a player. He said he wants to make sure his speed remains elite as he gets bigger and stronger, but he also knows there is room for improvement in every facet of his game.

“I just want to be better as an overall player, learn the game more and execute a lot more consistently,” Gray said.