SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies drafted pitcher Jon Gray third overall out of Oklahoma in 2013, then sent him to school.
For two years, they gradually remade a delivery that had him dominating collegiate hitters into one they believe will work versus pros. The results during a nine-start Major League apprenticeship last season were mixed at best -- 0-2, 5.53 ERA, with a 2.70 road ERA.
But most important, Gray was an earnest student who gave himself over to the new methods.
Now, school is out. Gray, 24, hopes to grab the starting rotation job that's there for the taking and become the dominant right-hander the club envisioned.