Josiah “Sway” Gray headlines a group of All-Stars under the age of 25 ready to take over the sport.

Josiah Gray Is Blossoming 

Third year pitcher Gray came a long way from leading the Majors last season in home runs allowed, to being the lone Washington Nationals All-Star this year.

He finished the first half with a 3.41 ERA, 92 strikeouts in 100.1 innings and has been a big part in his Nationals winning four of their last five series. Gray, who turned 25 this past December, is one of 14 All-Stars under the age of 25 to be selected to the All-Star team this season.

It is becoming more and more common in today’s game for players to have instant impacts for their teams right after being called to the Majors.

Take the likes of Arizona’s outfielder Corbin Carroll and Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman for example:

Rutschman, who has been one of baseball’s best catchers since his call-up, was a highlight of last night’s Home Run Derby while Carroll who is starting in left field for the National League is the leader for one of baseball’s most surprising teams.

For the Nationals, their hoping the road to the World Series can be paved with Gray leading the rotation for the next decade. 

“It is cool to be one of those younger guys out here and represent the next generation of the game,” Gray told MLBbro.com.”

“It is an opportunity that you will never forget and I am thankful to get to represent the Nationals.”

How Did Washington Nationals Acquire Josiah Gray?

Gray was traded in 2021 from the Dodgers in a megadeal involving future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer and former batting champion Trea Turner.

Now, shortstop C.J. Abrams who was acquired in a deal for Juan Soto and a core of young Nationals look to finish the second half strong and build towards a future that will soon include 2021 top pick James Wood.

“We are having fun playing the game and not worrying about what others have to say,” said Gray.

“We have beat a lot of good teams recently, so things are in a good spot.  We are learning from every game and just trying to give the team a chance to win.”

Gray will enter the game sooner rather than later in tonight’s All-Star Game, so he will have to be locked in against the best hitters on the planet.

“I will face whoever they throw out there,” Gray told MLBbro.com.

“It is going to be amazing running out on the field Tuesday night.  It is going to be really fun to just be in that moment.  It is not something you can embrace beyond soaking it in, so hopefully it is everything I ever dreamed of.”

It’s looking like Gray will be up to the task when his name is called for years to come.