Sonny Gray
Encyclopedia
Sonny Douglas Gray is a first round pick by the Oakland Athletics
, currently pitching for the Double-A Midland Rockhounds
in the A's minor league system.
. As a freshman, he pitched and played left field and was named Freshman of the Year in District 9AAA. As a sophomore, he suffered injuries and saw limited action during the season. As a junior, he led his team to the 2007 State Tournament with a masterful 11-2 record and a 0.95 ERA. This earned him a nod for the AFLAC
All-American High School Baseball Classic and a nomination for National Player of the Year (which Tim Melville ultimately won). As a senior, he dominated once again, going 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA. However, he was injured in a district game against Hendersonville
in April 2008 and never played again. He also excelled at the plate, batting over .500 his last two seasons at Smyrna, but instead opted to pitch in college.
In addition to his success on the mound, he also played quarterback for Smyrna's football team, guiding them to back-to-back 5A State titles in 2006 and 2007. He was voted Gatorade
Player of the Year by The Tennessean
in 2007 and 2008 for his overall athletic success.
Having already made a verbal committment to Vanderbilt University
before Smyrna's state tournament run, he was drafted in the 27th round by the Chicago Cubs
in the 2008 MLB Draft. He did not sign with the team.
berth, making it to the semifinals and losing to national runner-up Florida
.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, currently pitching for the Double-A Midland Rockhounds
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
in the A's minor league system.
Smyrna
Sonny was born to Cindy and Jesse Gray. Jesse died in a car accident during his freshman year of high school, just as Sonny started playing baseball for Smyrna High SchoolSmyrna High School
Smyrna High School is a high school, in the Rutherford County School system, located in Smyrna, Tennessee United States.-History:Smyrna High was founded in 1911. In 1988 was split into the current LaVergne and Smyrna High Schools in order to provide adequate room for the student enrollment. In 2000...
. As a freshman, he pitched and played left field and was named Freshman of the Year in District 9AAA. As a sophomore, he suffered injuries and saw limited action during the season. As a junior, he led his team to the 2007 State Tournament with a masterful 11-2 record and a 0.95 ERA. This earned him a nod for the AFLAC
Aflac
Aflac Incorporated is the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, founded in 1955 and based in Columbus, Georgia. In the United States, Aflac underwrites a wide range of insurance policies, but is perhaps more known for its payroll deduction insurance coverage, which pays...
All-American High School Baseball Classic and a nomination for National Player of the Year (which Tim Melville ultimately won). As a senior, he dominated once again, going 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA. However, he was injured in a district game against Hendersonville
Hendersonville High School
Hendersonville High School is one of two public high schools located in Hendersonville, Sumner County, Tennessee. The principal is Joni Worsham, a former assistant principal at the school...
in April 2008 and never played again. He also excelled at the plate, batting over .500 his last two seasons at Smyrna, but instead opted to pitch in college.
In addition to his success on the mound, he also played quarterback for Smyrna's football team, guiding them to back-to-back 5A State titles in 2006 and 2007. He was voted Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
Player of the Year by The Tennessean
The Tennessean
The Tennessean is the principal daily newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Its circulation area covers 39 counties in Middle Tennessee and eight counties in southern Kentucky....
in 2007 and 2008 for his overall athletic success.
Having already made a verbal committment to Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
before Smyrna's state tournament run, he was drafted in the 27th round by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 2008 MLB Draft. He did not sign with the team.
Vanderbilt
As a freshman at Vanderbilt, he began as a relief pitcher, earning four saves before moving to a starter's role late in the season. Although posting a 4.30 ERA, he began to improve over the next two years. He was designated as the ace of Vandy's staff in 2010 and 2011. In 2010, he went 10-5 with a 3.48 ERA, but lead the team in strikeouts (113). Sonny's junior year was his most successful, as he went 12-4 with a 2.43 ERA and 132 Ks. He also helped Vandy earn their first ever College World Series2011 College World Series
The 2011 College World Series began on June 18, 2011 and concluded on June 28 with the University of South Carolina defeating the University of Florida by a score of 5-2 in Omaha, Nebraska at TD Ameritrade Park. TD Ameritrade Park replaced Rosenblatt Stadium, which hosted the CWS from 1950–2010...
berth, making it to the semifinals and losing to national runner-up Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
.