These Things Take Time

Third-year Rockies starter Jon Gray was settling into a routine that could make him an ace.

- Tracy Ringolsby

Rockies righthander Jon Gray is driven to be great. He talks about becoming for the Rockies what Clayton Kershaw is for the Dodgers—a No. 1 starter who takes the mound and allows his teammates to take a deep breath.

The 25-year-old Gray has the ability to be just that. But it takes time.

Instant success that is sustained over a lengthy career is rare for starting pitchers. And in his third big league season, Gray gets it. There are frustrations, but they are merely detours that he and others have navigated.

Or as Rockies manager Bud Black, a former big league pitcher, puts it: “Patience has to take place. It’s about understanding your stuff and making adjustments.”

After going 10-3, 1.64 as an Oklahoma junior in 2013, Gray was drafted third overall by the Rockies, immediately after the Cubs selected Kris Bryant.

Twenty-six months later, Gray was in the big leagues.