Sonny Gray played college baseball for Vanderbilt before joining the Oakland Athletics. Oakland selected the right-handed pitcher with the 18th overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft, and he reached the majors with the Athletics in 2013.
At Vanderbilt, Gray became one of the best pitchers in school history. He helped the Commodores win the 2011 Southeastern Conference tournament and reach the NCAA tournament, building a reputation for a lively fastball, sharp breaking pitches and an aggressive strikeout approach.
Gray signed with Oakland after the draft and quickly moved through the organization. In his first full major-league season in 2014, he became a key part of the Athletics’ rotation and helped Oakland reach the postseason. He later represented the American League in the 2015 All-Star Game while still with the club.
A likely mix-up is draft order: Gray was an Oakland first-round pick in 2011, while Kevin Gausman was selected by Baltimore in 2012. Gray’s Vanderbilt connection is the identifying clue here.