Joe Gray Jr. Stays Healthy And Produces

No player in the Brewers’ system took a bigger leap forward in 2021 than Joe Gray Jr. 

The 21-year-old outfielder, a second-round pick in 2018 out of Hattiesburg (Miss.) High, had trouble staying on the field in two years of Rookie ball while battling hamstring issues and a bout with pneumonia.

Following a dark year in 2020, when the pandemic shut down the minor leagues, Gray came out swinging in 2021. He hit his way out of Low-A Carolina and to High-A Wisconsin, totaling 20 home runs, 53 walks and 23 stolen bases while hitting .252/.355/.499 in 110 games.

Gray’s production leveled off in High-A, but he showed impressive power, speed and instincts on the bases. He also flashed plus arm strength in the outfield, with an ability to play both center field and right.

The Brewers sent Gray to the Arizona Fall League, but he appeared out of gas. He went 4-for-58 with 24 strikeouts.  

“I think that fatigue may have been partly to do with it,” Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan said. “But, also, he got off to a slow start, and then was pressing.  As a whole, we were still very happy with the year he put together, and the AFL experience will be something that he can learn from as he moves forward.” 

There is still plenty of swing-and-miss in Gray’s game, as evidenced by his 27% strikeout rate. Though he works deep counts and takes his walks.

More than anything, Gray’s performance gave the Brewers confidence in their initial predraft evaluation of him as a difference-maker offensively, with some risk involved. All it took was finally staying healthy and on the field after taking only 187 professional at-bats into the year.

MICROBREWS 

— The Brewers added no prospects to their 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft, leaving the likes of outfielders Tristan Lutz, Korry Howell and Carlos Rodriguez exposed. Lutz was a supplemental first-round pick in 2017. 

— Third baseman Wes Wilson, who played in 70 games for Triple-A Nashville before having thoracic syndrome surgery, was assigned to the Arizona Fall League in the final week of play to get some at-bats. He played in four games, going 3-for-14.

Wilson started games at every position but catcher and center field for Nashville.