Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Tony Cingrani, Josiah Gray, Bullpen

Josiah Gray promoted to Rancho

In the winter when the Dodgers sent Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to the Reds, the Dodgers acquired two intriguing prospects in Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs.  Now they will be playing on the same club, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes after Gray was promoted from the Great Lakes Loons.  Gray was a competitive balance pick in the 2018 draft.

So far this season, Josiah Gray has made five starts posting a 1.93 ERA while holding the opposition to a .165 average.  There are still concerns about whether Gray will stick in the rotation long term, but even if he eventually ends up in the bullpen, he would still be an intriguing option given his stuff.  Last year in the Reds’ organization, Gray made twelve starts in the Appalachian league pitching to a 2.58 ERA.

While the Dodgers gave up three big league players in the deal with the Reds, the trade will ultimately be judged off what Gray and Downs do for the Dodgers.  If they fail to make an impact in the big leagues, then the move won’t look too good. If they do good with the Dodgers then the trade may look like a steal as Kemp has already been released.  If the Dodgers go on to win the World Series without Puig, the trade will look even smarter.