How long will it take to fix Jon Gray, and will he ever be the Rockies’ ace?
Kiz: Maybe the decision to demote Jon Gray to the minor leagues wasn’t difficult. His confidence was in tatters, with his electric stuff wrecked by far too many innings that spun out of control. But it had to be tough for the Rockies to send down their opening-day starter. Now for the tough questions: How long will it take to fix what’s wrong? And when he returns to the majors, what’s the best role for Gray? Saunders: The best role? The Rockies have batted around the idea of making Gray a reliever, but it’s a decision they don’t want to rush into. Manager Bud Black still envisions Gray as an effective starting pitcher because Gray possesses three big-league pitches: fastball, slider, curve. The right-hander’s problems are more mental than mechanical, so I don’t imagine we’ll see him back with the Rockies until well after the all-star break. Kiz: There’s no cheering in the press box, but it’s hard not to root for Gray. He’s a good dude, he really cares and he works diligently on his craft. Somebody asked me if Gray is Paxton Lynch, the Broncos’ former No. 1 draft choice now widely regarded as a bust. I understand the disappointment in the results of both Gray and Lynch. Their situations, however, are different. Lynch came to the NFL clueless about what it took to succeed. Gray knows what it takes. But he stumbles over his insecurities on the mound. Saunders: I root for the Gray Wolf, because he cares so much. Plus, he’s honest with media, maybe to a fault. I once told him that I thought he needed to lighten up and not be so hard on himself. He looked at me like I was nuts, and then said he has to be that way. He has the talent to succeed, no question. Last season, he allowed three or fewer earned runs in 13 starts to end the season, going 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA and 80 strikeouts vs. just 16 walks. Kiz: I understand the theory that Gray’s fastball-slider combination might be better suited to short stints from the back end of the bullpen. But putting him on the emotional tightrope that is experienced night in and night out by a closer would seem to set up Gray for a hard fall. I think Gray’s future is as a starter. As the ace? No. Rather than carry the burden of being a leader, Gray needs to be one of the boys on the bus. Saunders: I still think Gray’s future is as a starter. I don’t think it matters what label is pinned on him, because outside expectations don’t matter as much as the pressure he puts on himself. But I disagree with your notion that Gray wouldn’t thrive in the bullpen. I think his ability to grip it and rip it, plus drop in a curveball, would make him successful. Being a member of the boys in the band out in the bullpen might be a good thing for Gray.