| Connor Grey | |
|---|---|
| Gastonia Ghost Peppers – No. 12 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:May 6, 1994 Frewsburg, New York, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Connor Grey (born May 6,1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Gastonia Ghost Peppers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He is currently a phantom ballplayer,having spent five days on the New York Mets' active roster without appearing in a major league game.
Grey graduated from Frewsburg High School in Frewsburg,New York,in 2012. [1] He attended St. Bonaventure University,where he played college baseball for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Grey posted a 4.12 earned run average (ERA) over four seasons.
Grey was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 20th round,with the 599th overall selection,of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. [2] He made his professional debut for the rookie–level Missoula Osprey,and was later promoted to the Low–A Hillsboro Hops,for whom he made 6 scoreless appearances. [3]
Grey split the 2017 season between Hillsboro,the Single–A Kane County Cougars,High–A Visalia Rawhide,and Triple–A Reno Aces. In 18 games (17 starts) between the four affiliates,he combined for a 9–4 record and 2.87 ERA with 91 strikeouts across 103+1⁄3 innings pitched. [4] On September 1, 2017, while playing for the Kane County, Grey pitched a perfect game against the Clinton LumberKings. It was the first perfect game in Cougars history, and was completed in 100 pitches with eight strikeouts. [5]
Grey spent the 2018 campaign with Visalia, logging a 10–9 record and 4.54 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 27 starts. He split 2019 between Visalia, the Double–A Jackson Generals, and Reno, registering a cumulative 4.57 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 24 contests. [6] Grey did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [7] On May 28, 2020, Grey was released by the Diamondbacks organization. [8]
On January 11, 2021, Grey signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league. [9] In 6 starts for the Dogs, Grey compiled a 3–2 record and 3.18 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 34 innings pitched. [10]
On June 17, 2021, Grey's contract was purchased by the New York Mets organization. [11] [12] He made 11 appearances (9 starts) split between the High–A Brooklyn Cyclones and Double–A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, accumulating a 2–5 record and 4.00 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 54 innings. [13]
On August 22, 2022, Grey's contract was selected by the Mets and he was promoted to the active roster. [14] He warmed up in a game against the New York Yankees, but did not enter. [15] On August 27, Grey was optioned back to Triple–A without making an appearance for the Mets, becoming a phantom ballplayer. [16] He was designated for assignment by the team on September 1, following the promotion of Deven Marrero. [17] Grey cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Syracuse Mets on September 4. [18] In 26 total appearances for Syracuse in 2022, Grey posted a 5–6 record and 6.38 ERA with 88 strikeouts across 104+1⁄3 innings pitched. [19] He elected free agency following the season on November 10. [20]
On January 13, 2023, Grey re-signed with the Mets on a minor league deal. [21] Grey was placed on the injured list to begin the year after an MRI revealed a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. [22] He later underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entirety of the 2023 season as a result. [23] Grey elected free agency following the season on November 6. [24]
On April 23, 2025, Grey signed with the Gastonia Ghost Peppers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. [25]