Renck: Rockies P Jon Gray more mature, poised to take next step

Entering the 2017 campaign, Colorado Rockies stud righty Jon Gray looks to improve upon a first full season in the MLB that was promising at times and inconsistent at others.

For instance, Gray had 16 quality starts in 2016 but on eight occasions failed to make it to the five-innings pitched threshold.

But Denver 7’s Troy Renck told “Schlereth and Evans” on Monday that Gray matured by the end of the season, and, if he can make the next step in his progression, he could be the Rockies version of New York Mets All-Star Noah Syndergaard.

“I mean, I don’t want to say he’s Noah Syndergaard, but he’s their Noah Syndergaard. He’s a guy who can win games by himself, which there’s only 10-15 of those guys that can do it consistently,” Renck said.

Renck said Gray is ready to become a guy who tosses 180 innings, wins 15-18 games with an ERA around “3.50-ish,” and could push for that 200 strike out plateau.

“That’s who he can be. That’s how talented his,” Renck said.

But he needs to limit short outings.

“What I’ve seen him do as a pro is start to learn to minimize damage. On days when you don’t have your best stuff as an ace, you’ve got to go 6 innings, 4 runs, and get to your bullpen with a chance to win. Not 3 and 1/3 and 7,” Renck said.

“And if he gets through that, he will be the guy.”

Renck said Gray can be a two-pitch guy with his fastball at around 97 miles per hour and a “swing-and-miss” slider.

But Gray’s also developing a change-up, which Renck said will help him take his next step.

“I can’t throw a curveball backdoor every time. I think it will be a great pitch,” Gray, who said at the time he thought it’s coming along better than he expected, told “Schlereth and Evans” last month.

“It’s not a movement pitch. It’s just kind of there, and it’s slow.”

And Renck also said at the time that if Gray can develop that pitch, it would take him a from middle-of-the-rotation starter to “elite level.”

“He’s going to be right in the all-star conversation,” Renck said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.