3 Takeaways From Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Series In Cincinnati

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CINCINNATI, OH – MARCH 31: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on March 31, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The Reds are going to regret giving Sonny Gray a contract extension

This past offseason the Reds acquired right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray from the New York Yankees. They also inked Gray to a new three-year contract extension in the process. This was despite Gray posting a 4.90 ERA, 4.17 FIP, and a near 10% walk rate last season.

A big problem for Gray in New York was confidence issues. He saw a spike in both home run and walk rate, and these two issues likely went hand-in-hand. The amount of home runs he allowed at Yankee Stadium caused Gray to be hesitant to attack the strike zone leading to an increase in walks. On Sunday, Gray again looked afraid to throw strikes.

In 2 2/3 innings pitched Gray hit a batter and walked four. These walks included one to Williams with the bases loaded, and if there’s ever a time to attack the strike zone it’s when the bases are loaded and the opposing pitcher is at the plate. He also threw more balls (37) than strikes (35) in his short outing.

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Getting out of New York was a move that Gray needed. However, Cincinnati was not the city he needed to go to. Great American Ballpark is an even better hitters park than Yankee Stadium, which does not bode well for Gray. It does, however, bode well for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the rest of the National League Central Division. The Bucs should beat up on Gray plenty over the course of the next three seasons.

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