Peyton Gray has one of the best backstories in baseball. A 31-year-old right-hander who made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers in April, Gray not only entered pro ball in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Florida Gulf Coast University, his resume includes three seasons with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the independent Atlantic Association, and four seasons in winter ball. In addition, he underwent Tommy John surgery and was granted waivers by the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, and Cincinnati Reds.
His 2026 numbers are amazing. The Columbus, Indiana native started the year by pitching 12 2/3 scoreless innings at Triple-A Round Rock, and since coming to The Show, he has made 18 appearances out of the bullpen and recorded a 3.70 ERA and 3.71 FIP over 24 1/3 frames. Each of his two decisions came in the win column.
Gray’s top offering is an 83 mph changeup, which he has been throwing at a 44.0% clip to the tune of a .220 batting average and a 31.0% whiff rate. I asked him about it when the Rangers visited Fenway Park earlier this month.
“It’s usually my go-to pitch,” said the righty, whose repertoire also includes a 92.4-mph four-seamball (38.8% usage) and a slider (17.3%). “I’ve thrown it since college, although I’ve tried to hold it a little bit, especially the way I use the seams. I’ve always had that split action with the middle fingers, and it’s like what you might call a Vulcan changeup. Over the last few years, it’s become my best, and most consistent, pitch.
“On average, I think it’s about the size of a 3-17 ball,” Gray added, referring to three inches of vertical movement and 17 inches of horizontal movement. “There are days when it’s better and it’s like a zero-20 ball, which really takes off and doesn’t carry the vert. Obviously, humidity and things like that play a role. It has to do with feel. But the movement, and the difference in velo on my fastball, makes it work.”
In terms of overall performance, Gray’s 2020 season stands out as his best. He was limited to minor league appearances in 2019 due to a shoulder problem, and was released by the Rockies during the following spring training. He then signed with the Milkmen, where he threw 32 scoreless innings, allowed just 10 hits, walked 14, and struck out 56.
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Indie Ball’s success led to a minor league deal with the Royals, but then came Tommy John surgery in 2021, followed by KC releasing him in July 2022 when he was “excluded from rehab.” Gray then joined the Milkmen for the rest of the campaign, staying there until 2023, when he was snapped up by the Reds, but lost for the 2024 season. In January 2025, after returning to health and playing well in the Mexican Winter League, he was signed by the Rangers.
After his signature voice:
“I bury it pretty deep,” Gray said of his split change, which spins at 1,800 rpm. “I’m pitching a little, but it’s more like I’m sweeping the ball, letting the inside of my middle finger turn it to get sidespin and generate a horizontal surface. I’m sweeping it when I’m released. It’s not one of those swings where … some guys feel like they’re trying to get to it, and it’s not the same anymore as it’s a little bit more like it’s starting. It’s sweeping toward the left-handed batter’s box.”
As for finally reaching the majors in his ninth professional season, Gray attributed not only to his toughness, but also to a better understanding of how to equip his weapons. The addition of a cutter to improve his ride heater and switch is a big part of that. As he puts it, “On the graph, you make that triangle of fields and there’s enough separation for them to play well together.”
And again, quite the backstory. What is it like for a multi-season member of the Milwaukee Milkmen to be at Fenway Park, wearing a big league uniform?
“It’s amazing,” Gray told me. “Two or three years ago, I didn’t know how long I was going to play baseball. When you’re in independent baseball, you just never know. To be here now, on the biggest stage, to be in a historic stadium like this is amazing. It’s really amazing.”
