A key piece of Homer Bailey trade to the Dodgers returns to Cincinnati

Josiah Gray has been involved in two blockbuster trades over the course of his professional career and has yet to complete 150 innings pitched.

Gray, one of two prospects along with Homer Bailey, was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2019 season. In return, the Reds received Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Kyle Farmer, and $7M in cash considerations.

Gray had just completed a solid season with the Greeneville Reds of the Appalachian League. The right-hander was 2-2 in 12 starts with a 2.58 ERA and 59 punch outs over 52.1 innings of work. So how's the former Reds farm hand fairing with his new ball club?

How is former Reds farm hand Josiah Gray fairing with the Nats?

Josiah Gray spent the 2019 season in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system, and after missing out on the 2020 minor league season due to coronavirus pandemic, Gray debuted in Triple-A during the 2021 season and was eventually called up to the big leagues.

Gray made two appearances, including one start, for the Dodgers last season before he was included in yet another trade. This time, Gray was shipped to the East Coast to join the Washington Nationals. Gray, along with Keibert Ruiz, Gerardo Carrillo, and Donovan Casey were traded to the Nats in exchange for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner.

Since arriving in our nation's capital, Josiah Gray has made 22 starts and owns a 5.21 ERA. This season, Gray has a 24.4% strikeout-rate and a walk-rate of 11.3% according to FanGraphs.

Gray is relatively new to pitching and many scouts believe, if given the opportunity, Gray will continue to steadily improve over the next several seasons. Gray was a shortstop in college for the better part of two seasons before making the switch to a full-time starting pitcher.

The Cincinnati Reds will send Mike Minor to the mound tonight for the first time this season. Cincinnati acquired the left-hander from Kansas City earlier this summer. Josiah Gray will get the chance to show the Reds what they missed out on by trading the right-hander back in 2018. Kyle Farmer is the only remaining piece from that trade who still calls Cincinnati home.