Gray's name came up Tuesday as a possible replacement for Jarrod Parker, though it looks like Parker will be able to pitch through his minor neck injury at this point. Even if Gray does not get the call this week, it looks like he should be up at the majors sometimes this season. What kind of output should we expect from the 2011 first round pick.

Gray's calling card, even in his poor 2012 season, has been his heavy groundball tendencies. He has a 55.2 percent groundball rate for his career and has allowed just eight home runs in 205 innings of work, which has helped him to a 3.64 ERA despite striking out just 6.32 batters per nine innings. He has improved his strikeout rate to 7.3 per nine innings this season, but the early returns on his minor league career indicate that he is going to be a guy who relies on keeping the ball in the yard.

That obviously limits his Fantasy upside, though it could make him incredibly stingy at the A's cavernous home park. Gray is a prospect to keep an eye on, mostly because of how close he is to the majors. He could be helpful in AL-only Fantasy formats if he gets the call. 

Gray has pitched well for Triple-A Sacramento and is on the same turn in the rotation. Gray's last start was cut short due to rain. He's gone 3-1 over five outings with a 2.61 ERA with 25 Ks over 31 innings. On May 1, he went the distance and allowed one run with six Ks at Fresno. 

Although he tossed a complete-game shutout last season for Double-A Midland, Gray called Wednesday's outing "the best start I've had in pro ball."

"I would say that my fastball was pretty efficient tonight and that, because they were being pretty aggressive, I was able to get ahead," he said, per MLB.com. "My changeup was really good and my curveball was there when I needed it. I was able to keep the fastball down and change speeds and get them to swing early in the count and get soft contact."

The 2011 first-round pick has a 2.61 ERA and .241 opponents' batting average. He has issued 12 walks, but he hasn't allowed a home run in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.