Drafted in the 1st round (13th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2004 (signed for $1,750,000).
View Draft Report
Bray had a solid Cape Cod League season in 2003, going 2-1, 1.44 with four saves and 29 strikeouts in 25 innings. He followed that up by going 4-4, 2.54 with eight saves this spring, with 81 strikeouts and 12 walks in 57 innings. Opponents were batting just .220 against him. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder projects as a solid second-round pick but could sneak into the first round if teams continue the trend of drafting polished college relievers and moving them quickly to the majors. Bray has two above-average pitches, a 90-94 mph fastball with riding life and occasional sink, and an 82-84 mph slider with sharp tilt and late bite. He has a herky-jerky delivery with a loose arm action and a big pitcher's body, but some scouts worry about his mechanics and the softness of his build.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The Nationals spent consecutive first-round picks on college relievers, hitting big with Chad Cordero in 2003 and having high hopes for Bray, the 13th overall choice in 2004. Tightness in his back sidelined him until late May in his first full season, but he rose to Triple-A and showed no ill effects once he returned. Bray is a strong ox of a lefthander with a pair of plus pitches: a heavy 91-94 mph fastball with darting movement and a tight 81-84 mph slider. He's effective against lefties and righties and is not afraid to pitch inside. His slider can still be inconsistent, though Bray generally commands it well. Washington had toyed with the idea of making him a starter, but his changeup still has a long way to go because he used it little in college. His biggest key is staying healthy. More than a mere lefthanded specialist, Bray can be a factor in the late innings. He'll get the chance to begin 2006 with the Nationals and serve as Cordero's set-up man.
Like Brendan Harris, Bray was a standout at William & Mary. He left with a bit more fanfare, as the Tribe's highest draft pick ever. He worked just seven innings after signing for $1.75 million, so he headed to the Arizona Fall League, where he fanned 16 in 16 innings. Bray has good command of two power pitches, an 89-95 mph fastball and a late-breaking 82-85 mph slider. He is polished and aggressive, and he can put hitters away with both pitches. He provides a deceptive look from a three-quarters slot. Though Bray's changeup shows enough promise for the Nationals to consider him as a long-term starter, it still has a long way to go because he rarely used it in college. If he can't master it, the club will settle for using him in relief. A closer in college, Bray will pitch in the rotation at Washington's new high Class A Potomac affiliate in 2005. Even if he has to return to the bullpen, the innings he'll get as a starter will help his development and arm strength. He'd advance quicker in relief, where he would have a shot at becoming a closer someday.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Slider in the Washington Nationals in 2005
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone