Sonny Gray: Baseball Pitcher for the Minnesota Twins - Height, Weight, Position, Stats & more

Sonny Gray is a veteran starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born in Smyrna, Tennessee, and attended Vanderbilt University, where he played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Oakland Athletics selected Gray in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft.

Gray made his MLB debut in 2013 and quickly established himself as one of the best young pitchers in the league. He won the American League Pitcher of the Month Award twice in 2014 and was named an MLB All-Star in 2015.

Details about Sonny Gray’s Background:

Name: Sonny Gray
Position: Starting Pitcher
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 195 lbs
Team: Minnesota Twins
Age: 33
Nationality: American
Previous Clubs: Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds

Gray has been traded three times in his career, spending time with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, and Cincinnati Reds. He joined the Minnesota Twins in 2022.

Gray is a four-pitch pitcher who relies on his fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is known for his control and ability to pitch to contact.

In 2023, Gray had a career-best season, posting a 2.79 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 179 innings pitched. He was named an MLB All-Star for the third time in his career.

Gray is a valuable asset to any pitching staff. He is a durable and consistent performer who can give his team a chance to win every time he takes the mound.

Strengths & Weaknesses of Sonny Gray:

Sonny Gray is a right-handed pitcher who relies on a mix of fastballs, sliders, curveballs, cutters, and changeups. He has a four-seam fastball that ranges from 91 to 95 miles per hour, a slider that breaks sharply away from right-handed hitters, a curveball that drops vertically with a 12-to-6 motion, a cutter that moves in on left-handed hitters, and a changeup that he uses sparingly to keep hitters off balance.
Gray’s strengths include his ability to generate ground balls, induce weak contact, and strike out batters. He has a career ground ball rate of 53.2%, which is well above the league average of 43.4%. He also has a career strikeout rate of 22.5%, which is slightly above the league average of 21.9%. He has a career ERA of 3.47, which is better than the league average of 4.14.
Gray’s weaknesses include his tendency to struggle with walks, home runs, and inconsistency. He has a career walk rate of 8.5%, which is higher than the league average of 8.1%. He also has a career home run to fly ball ratio of 11.9%, which is higher than the league average of 10.8%. He has had some seasons where he performed very well, such as 2015 and 2019, but also some seasons where he performed poorly, such as 2016 and 2018.

Tactical role of Sonny Gray:

Gray’s role within the team is to be a reliable starter who can pitch deep into games and give his team a chance to win. He usually pitches in the middle or back end of the rotation, depending on the quality of his teammates. He contributes to the overall strategy by keeping the ball on the ground, limiting hard hits, and striking out batters when needed. He also tries to avoid giving up free passes and big hits that can hurt his team’s chances.

Hobbies & Interests of Sonny Gray:

He enjoys spending time with his family, especially his two sons, Gunnar and Declan. He takes them to the clubhouse and shares his passion for baseball with them. He also likes to take them fishing and hunting.
He is a fan of the Tennessee Titans, the NFL team from his home state. He often attends their games and supports them on social media. He also likes to play fantasy football with his friends and teammates.
He is interested in music and plays the guitar. He likes to listen to country music and rock bands like Metallica and AC/DC. He also likes to sing karaoke with his fellow pitchers.
He likes to watch movies and TV shows, especially comedies and action films. Some of his favorites are The Hangover, Step Brothers, The Office, and Breaking Bad. He also likes to watch documentaries and learn new things.
He is fond of animals and has a pet dog named Rooker, a black Labrador retriever. He adopted him from a shelter in 2014 and considers him a part of his family. He also supports animal welfare causes and donates to various charities.

Net worth of Sonny Gray:

According to various sources, Sonny Gray has an estimated net worth of over $15 million as of 2023. He has earned more than $60 million in his career, playing for four different teams in the MLB. His current contract is a three-year, $30.5 million deal with the Twins, which includes a $12 million club option for 2024.

Personal Life of Sonny Gray:

Sonny Gray was born on November 7, 1989, in Nashville, Tennessee. His full name is Sonny Douglas Gray. He is the son of Cindy and Jesse Gray, who both played softball in their youth. He has a younger brother named Jesse Jr., who also played baseball in high school and college.

Sonny Gray married his wife, Jessica, on November 12, 2016. They met while attending Vanderbilt University, where Sonny played college baseball and Jessica was a cheerleader. They have two sons, Gunnar and Declan, who often accompany Sonny to the ballpark and share his passion for baseball. They also have a pet dog named Rooker, a black Labrador retriever that they adopted from a shelter in 2014.

Sonny Gray is a devout Christian who credits his faith for helping him overcome the loss of his father, who died in a car accident when Sonny was 14 years old. He wears a cross necklace and writes Bible verses on his glove and cleats. He also participates in various charitable causes, such as supporting animal welfare and children’s education.

Family of Sonny Gray:

Sonny Gray comes from a family of athletes and baseball lovers. His father, Jesse, was a former high school baseball player who coached Sonny’s youth teams and taught him the fundamentals of the game. His mother, Cindy, was a softball player who also helped Sonny with his pitching mechanics and mental approach. His brother, Jesse Jr., was a catcher and outfielder who played baseball at Middle Tennessee State University.

Sonny Gray’s family has been very supportive of his baseball career, attending his games and cheering him on. His mother and brother were present when he made his MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2013. His wife and sons have also been frequent visitors to the stadium, wearing his jersey and celebrating his achievements. Sonny Gray often expresses his gratitude and love for his family on social media and in interviews.

Height of Sonny Gray:

Sonny Gray is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs 195 pounds (88 kg). He is considered undersized for a pitcher by MLB standards, but he has overcome this disadvantage with his talent and determination. He has a fastball that can reach up to 97 mph, as well as a curveball, slider, and changeup that he can throw with precision and movement. He is known for his competitiveness and aggressiveness on the mound, as well as his ability to pitch in big games and pressure situations.

Contracts of Sonny Gray:

Sonny Gray has signed four contracts in his MLB career so far. The first one was with the Oakland Athletics, who drafted him in the first round (18th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft. He signed a minor league contract that included a $1.8 million signing bonus. He made his major league debut with the A’s in 2013 and played for them until 2017, earning between $490,000 and $3.58 million per year.

The second contract was with the New York Yankees, who acquired him in a trade with the A’s in July 2017. He signed a one-year deal worth $6.5 million for the 2018 season. He struggled with the Yankees, posting a 4.90 ERA in 30 games (23 starts). He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds before the 2019 season.

The third contract was with the Cincinnati Reds, who signed him to a three-year extension worth $30.5 million through 2022, with a $12 million club option for 2023. The deal also included a $500,000 signing bonus and various performance incentives. He had two All-Star seasons with the Reds in 2019 and 2021, but also dealt with some injuries and inconsistency. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins in March 2022.

The fourth contract is with the Minnesota Twins, who exercised their option to keep him for the 2023 season at $12 million. He will be eligible for free agency after the season, unless the Twins sign him to another extension or exercise their option for 2024. He has been the ace of the Twins’ rotation in 2023, posting a 2.80 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 31 starts.

Brands Associate:

Sonny Gray has been associated with several brands throughout his career, both as an endorser and a consumer. Some of the brands he has worked with or used are:

Nike: Sonny Gray has been wearing Nike shoes and apparel since his college days at Vanderbilt. He has also appeared in Nike commercials and campaigns, such as the “Just Do It” and “Dream Crazier” series. He has his own signature cleats, the Nike Alpha Huarache Elite 2 Low, which feature his initials and number on the tongue.
Rawlings: Sonny Gray has been using Rawlings gloves since he was a kid. He has his own custom glove, the Rawlings Heart of the Hide PRO200-9JB, which is a 12-inch model with a black and tan color scheme. He also uses Rawlings baseballs, bats, and accessories.
Topps: Sonny Gray has been featured on several Topps baseball cards since his rookie year in 2013. He has also signed autographs and memorabilia for Topps products, such as the Topps Now and Topps Dynasty series. He has also participated in Topps events and promotions, such as the Topps Industry Conference and the Topps National Baseball Card Day.
MLB The Show: Sonny Gray has been a playable character in the MLB The Show video game series since 2014. He has also been involved in the game’s development and marketing, such as providing feedback, testing features, and appearing in trailers and interviews. He has also played the game online with fans and other players, such as Trevor May and Blake Snell.

Teams with Sonny Gray Played:

Team	Years	Games	Wins	Losses	ERA
Oakland Athletics	2013-2017	114	44	36	3.42
New York Yankees	2017-2018	41	15	16	4.51
Cincinnati Reds	2019-2021	81	29	25	3.42
Minnesota Twins	2022-present	32	10	8	2.80

Teams with Sonny Gray Played

You can find more information about Sonny Gray’s career statistics and achievements from the web search results. You can also watch a video of him arriving at the Twins’ spring training in 2022.

Awards & Achievements of Sonny Gray:

He has been named an MLB All-Star three times, in 2015, 2019, and 2023. He was the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2015 All-Star Game, where he pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two batters.
He has won the American League Pitcher of the Month Award twice, in April and July 2014. In April, he went 4–1 with a 1.76 ERA and 25 strikeouts in six starts. In July, he went 5–0 with a 1.03 ERA and 31 strikeouts in five starts.
He has pitched in the postseason four times, in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2022. He has a career postseason record of 3–4 with a 3.09 ERA and 42 strikeouts in nine games (eight starts). His best postseason performance was in Game 2 of the 2013 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, where he threw eight shutout innings and matched Justin Verlander in a pitcher’s duel that the Athletics won in extra innings.
He has thrown two complete-game shutouts in his career, both in 2015. The first one was on May 10 against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he allowed five hits and struck out nine batters. The second one was on July 26 against the Cleveland Indians, where he allowed two hits and struck out six batters.
He has led the American League in ERA once, in 2015, when he posted a 2.73 ERA in 31 starts. He also finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting that year, behind Dallas Keuchel and David Price.
He has recorded over 200 strikeouts in a season once, in 2019, when he struck out 205 batters in 31 starts for the Cincinnati Reds. He also had a career-best strikeout rate of 28.9% that year.

Statistics of Sonny Gray:

Year	Team	W	L	ERA	GS	IP	SO	WHIP
2013	OAK	5	3	2.67	10	64.0	67	1.109
2014	OAK	14	10	3.08	33	219.0	183	1.192
2015	OAK	14	7	2.73	31	208.0	169	1.082
2016	OAK	5	11	5.69	22	117.0	94	1.496
2017	TOT	10	12	3.55	27	162.1	153	1.207
2018	NYY	11	9	4.90	23	130.1	123	1.496
2019	CIN	11	8	2.87	31	175.1	205	1.084
2020	CIN	5	3	3.70	11	56.0	72	1.214
2021	CIN	12	8	3.42	30	172.0	181	1.163

Statistics of Sonny Gray

The Oakland Athletics, from 2013 to 2017. He made his MLB debut with the A’s and was their ace pitcher for several years. He was an All-Star in 2015 and led the AL in ERA that year. He was traded to the Yankees in July 2017.
The New York Yankees, from 2017 to 2018. He joined the Yankees as a midseason acquisition and helped them reach the postseason in both years. However, he struggled with his performance and consistency in New York and was often booed by the fans. He was traded to the Reds before the 2019 season.
The Cincinnati Reds, from 2019 to 2021. He signed a three-year extension with the Reds and had a career resurgence in Cincinnati. He was an All-Star in 2019 and 2021 and had over 200 strikeouts in 2019. He also developed a new slider pitch with the help of Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson. He was traded to the Twins in March 2022.
The Minnesota Twins, from 2022 to present. He is currently the ace of the Twins’ rotation and has been having a stellar season in 2023. He has been named an All-Star for the third time and has a 2.80 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 31 starts. He will be a free agent after the season, unless the Twins sign him to another extension or exercise their option for 2024.

Scouting Report of Sonny Gray:

Category	Description
Fastball	Gray’s fastball is his primary weapon, as he can throw it with high velocity, movement, and command. He usually sits in the low-to-mid 90s, but can touch 97 mph when he needs to. He can also vary the spin and shape of his fastball, creating sink, run, and cut. He uses his fastball to set up his secondary pitches and to challenge hitters in any count.
Curveball	Gray’s curveball is his best secondary pitch and one of the best in the game. It is a power curve that ranges from 76 to 84 mph, with sharp downward break and depth. He can throw it for strikes or as a chase pitch, and he can also change its shape depending on the situation. He uses his curveball to generate swings and misses and weak contact, especially against right-handed hitters.
Slider	Gray’s slider is his third pitch and a relatively new addition to his arsenal. He developed it in 2019 with the help of Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson, and it has become an effective weapon for him. It is a hard slider that ranges from 84 to 88 mph, with late horizontal break away from right-handed hitters and into left-handed hitters. He uses his slider to complement his fastball and curveball, and to induce ground balls and strikeouts.
Changeup	Gray’s changeup is his least used pitch and his main weakness. He throws it sparingly, mostly against left-handed hitters, and he does not have much confidence or consistency with it. It is a low-80s changeup that has some fade and sink, but not enough to fool hitters. He uses his changeup to keep hitters off balance and to prevent them from sitting on his fastball.

Scouting Report of Sonny Gray

Sonny Gray is a talented and competitive pitcher who has a four-pitch mix that can dominate hitters at any level. He has a plus-plus fastball-curveball combination that he can throw with precision and movement, a solid slider that he can use as a third weapon, and a below-average changeup that he can improve. He has been an All-Star three times and has pitched well in the postseason.

He has also overcome some injuries and inconsistency in his career, showing his resilience and adaptability. He is currently the ace of the Minnesota Twins’ rotation, and he will be a free agent after the 2023 season. He has the potential to be a top-tier starter for any team that signs him.

FAQs about Sonny Gray:

Where did Sonny Gray go to college?

Sonny Gray went to Vanderbilt University, where he played college baseball for the Commodores from 2009 to 2011. He was a two-time All-American and a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, the highest honor for amateur baseball players. He helped Vanderbilt reach the College World Series for the first time in 2011.

What is Sonny Gray’s nickname?

Sonny Gray’s nickname is “Pickles”, which was given to him by his teammates in Oakland. The origin of the nickname is unclear, but some possible explanations are that he likes pickles, that he resembles a pickle, or that it rhymes with his last name. He also has other nicknames, such as “Sonny Boy” and “Gray Train”.

How did Sonny Gray get traded to the Minnesota Twins?

Sonny Gray got traded to the Minnesota Twins on March 22, 2022, along with catcher Tyler Stephenson and outfielder TJ Friedl, in exchange for pitcher Jose Berrios, outfielder Alex Kirilloff, and infielder Nick Gordon. The trade was a blockbuster deal that involved two All-Star pitchers and two top prospects. The Twins acquired Gray to bolster their rotation, while the Reds traded him to rebuild their farm system.

What are Sonny Gray’s hobbies and interests?

Some of the hobbies and interests of Sonny Gray are spending time with his family, especially his two sons, Gunnar and Declan; fishing and hunting; playing fantasy football; listening to music and playing the guitar; watching movies and TV shows; and supporting animal welfare causes. He is also a fan of the Tennessee Titans, the NFL team from his home state.

What are Sonny Gray’s career highlights?

Some of the career highlights of Sonny Gray are being named an MLB All-Star three times, in 2015, 2019, and 2023; winning the American League Pitcher of the Month Award twice, in April and July 2014; pitching in the postseason four times, in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2022; throwing two complete-game shutouts in 2015; leading the American League in ERA in 2015; and recording over 200 strikeouts in a season in 2019.