Gray Fenter

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #21 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A $1 million signee whose progress was stunted in 2016 when he had Tommy John surgery, Fenter's return to low Class A Delmarva in 2019 went far better than the previous year. He saw his strikeout rate climb to 11.7 per nine innings during the successful campaign.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fenter attracted attention in high school for his 96-97 mph fastball, but two years back from surgery, he was sitting 90-94 mph with significant rising action up in the zone. His primary pitch was always a 77-80 mph curveball that had above-average traits, but he added a slider in 2019 that flashed plus. Fenter has a maxed-out frame that doesn't lend itself to much projection, but he repeated his delivery well during the season.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Orioles wanted Fenter to get a full season finished before moving him up. He'll be old (24) for the level at high Class A Frederick in 2020, where he'll begin in the rotation. But if the Orioles take him off the back-end starter track, he could quickly work into a major league middle relief role.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #28 prospect in 2018
  Signed to an above-slot $1 million bonus as a 2015 seventh-round pick out of high school in Arkansas, Fenter had Tommy John surgery in April 2016 and missed all of that season. Upon returning in 2017 for his rehab year, he made all but one of his 12 appearances in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and eventually rounded into form, allowing two earned runs in 20 August innings. Listed at 5-foot-11 and with a compact delivery, Fenter has a mature frame that lacks projection and draws comparisons to the sturdy build of Orioles starter Dylan Bundy. His size limits the downhill angle he can get on his fastball, but it's presently a plus pitch at 92-96 mph post-surgery. His curveball has above-average shape when he stays behind it, but his rehab restrictions limited him from throwing that or his changeup often this summer. Observers both inside and outside the organization regard him as a tremendous competitor who wants to improve. With the development of a changeup, Fenter could project as a No. 4 starter, though his two-pitch mix and delivery make him a bullpen candidate. He should open 2018 with low Class A Delmarva.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #24 prospect in 2016
  The Orioles saw Fenter touch 97 mph during his high school senior season and often sit between 93-95. They signed him for a well over-slot $1 million in the seventh round of the 2015 draft to bypass a Mississippi State commitment. Fenter throws a fastball, hard curveball, slider and changeup. His fastball sat between 89-93 in most of his Rookie-level Gulf Coast League outings. His curve sat between 77-81 mph with plus spin but below-average command. Fenter has toyed with a below-average slider in the past and is just learning a changeup. His stocky, thick legs and 6-foot height earn him body comparisons with Dylan Bundy. One scout said Fenter would need a lot of work to improve his control and command thanks to an inconsistent, high-effort delivery. He's aggressive and pitches with confidence. Some see his ceiling as a midrotation starter, while others see an eventual two-pitch reliever. One of the older players in the 2015 prep class, Fenter will probably begin 2016 in extended spring with a chance to move to low Class A Delmarva.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #135 prospect in 2015 draft
  Fenter has two of the better pitches you'll see from this year's prep class, starting with a 90-94 mph fastball that touches 96-97 at its best. His fastball has surprising sink for a 5-foot-11 righthander and he pairs it with an inconsistent, but nasty breaking ball. At its best, it's an above-average curveball with a high spin rate and plenty of vertical break. But at other times it becomes a fringier slurvy slider. Fenter's body is pretty well maxed out and there's some effort to his delivery, so what you see is largely what you'll get. Most scouts see him as a future reliever because of his two-pitch approach, delivery and short stature. The Mississippi State recruit is one of the older prep players in this class, and he'll be nearly 19 1/2 on draft day.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A $1 million signee whose progress was stunted in 2016 when he had Tommy John surgery, Fenter’s return to low Class A Delmarva in 2019 went far better than the previous year. He saw his strikeout rate climb to 11.7 per nine innings during the successful campaign.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fenter attracted attention in high school for his 96-97 mph fastball, but two years back from surgery, he was sitting 90-94 mph with significant rising action up in the zone. His primary pitch was always a 77-80 mph curveball that had above-average traits, but he added a slider in 2019 that flashed plus. Fenter has a maxed-out frame that doesn’t lend itself to much projection, but he repeated his delivery well during the season.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Orioles wanted Fenter to get a full season finished before moving him up. He’ll be old (24) for the level at high Class A Frederick in 2020, where he’ll begin in the rotation. But if the Orioles take him off the back-end starter track, he could quickly work into a major league middle relief role.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A $1 million signee whose progress was stunted in 2016 when he had Tommy John surgery, Fenter's return to low Class A Delmarva in 2019 went far better than the previous year. He saw his strikeout rate climb to 11.7 per nine innings during the successful campaign.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Fenter attracted attention in high school for his 96-97 mph fastball, but two years back from surgery, he was sitting 90-94 mph with significant rising action up in the zone. His primary pitch was always a 77-80 mph curveball that had above-average traits, but he added a slider in 2019 that flashed plus. Fenter has a maxed-out frame that doesn't lend itself to much projection, but he repeated his delivery well during the season.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Orioles wanted Fenter to get a full season finished before moving him up. He'll be old (24) for the level at high Class A Frederick in 2020, where he'll begin in the rotation. But if the Orioles take him off the back-end starter track, he could quickly work into a major league middle relief role.