Gray Price Fenter (born January 25, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. The Baltimore Orioles selected Fenter in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB draft.

Gray Fenter
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1996-01-25) January 25, 1996 (age 28)
West Memphis, Arkansas
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Career

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Fenter attended West Memphis High School in West Memphis, Arkansas, and played for the school's baseball team. As a senior, his fastball was recorded at 97 miles per hour (156 km/h).[1] He committed to play college baseball for Mississippi State University.

Baltimore Orioles

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The Baltimore Orioles selected Fenter in the seventh round, with the 223rd overall selection, of the 2015 MLB draft,[2] and convinced him to begin his professional career rather than go to college, with a $1 million signing bonus.[3]

Fenter made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Orioles of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2015, and was 0–0 with a 1.66 ERA, but experienced elbow pain that required Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2016 season while recuperating.[4] He returned to the Gulf Coast League in 2017, posting a 3.45 ERA in 11 games, also making 1 appearance for the Low-A Aberdeen IronBirds.[1] In 2018, he pitched for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds as a relief pitcher, before he was sent to Aberdeen to pitch as a starting pitcher.[1] Fenter had an 8–2 win–loss record and a 1.81 earned run average in 22 games (17 starts) for Delmarva in 2019.[5] Fenter did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

On December 10, 2020, the Chicago Cubs selected Fenter from the Orioles in the 2020 Rule 5 draft.[7] On March 12, 2021, Fenter was returned to the Orioles.[8] He spent the year with the Double-A Bowie Baysox, pitching to a 6–4 record and 5.47 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 77.1 innings pitched across 21 games. He elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.[9]

San Francisco Giants

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On December 3, 2021, Fenter signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[10] Fenter was assigned to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels to start the 2022 season. In 22 games for the team, he pitched to an 0-4 record and 5.13 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 40.1 innings of work. He was released on July 21, 2022.

Lancaster Barnstormers

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On August 1, 2022, Fenter signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Fenter made 9 appearances (2 starts) for the Barnstormers down the stretch, logging a 2-1 record and 2.95 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched. With Lancaster, Fenter won the 2022 Atlantic League championship.[11]

New York Yankees

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On February 1, 2023, Fenter signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.[12] In 10 starts for the Double–A Somerset Patriots, he recorded a 5.01 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 41+13 innings pitched. Fenter elected free agency following the season on November 6.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Melewski, Steve (May 11, 2019). "With lessons learned after surgery, Gray Fenter is thriving at Delmarva". Masnsports.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. ^ "Two MSU signees taken on second day of MLB Draft". Clarionledger.com. June 9, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Orioles pry Gray Fenter from MSU with $1 million bonus". Clarionledger.com. June 20, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "Fenter prepares to trim down hitters". The Evening Times. February 23, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  5. ^ Melewski, Steve (April 18, 2020). "O's farm pitcher Gray Fenter remembers his big 2019 season". Masnsports.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  6. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
  7. ^ Meoli, Jon. "Orioles select pitchers Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells in Rule 5 draft, lose pitchers Zach Pop, Gray Fenter". The Baltimore Sun.
  8. ^ "Cubs Return Rule 5 Pick Gray Fenter To Orioles". MLB Trade Rumors.
  9. ^ "2021–22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams".
  10. ^ "Giants Sign Jon Duplantier To Minors Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Lancaster Barnstormers win Atlantic League championship". wgal.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Yankees' Gray Fenter: Inks MiLB deal with New York". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  13. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
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