‘He’s just got it.’ AL Brown’s CJ Gray chose baseball over football — and for good reason
A.L. Brown High School’s CJ Gray could be a Division 1 college quarterback next fall.
He put up good stats leading the Wonders football team last fall, when he drew the attention of the Charlotte 49ers and a few other schools that offered him a scholarship.
But as evidenced by the more than 15 Major League Baseball scouts who showed up to watch him pitch an out-of-town, non-conference game last week, Gray appears to have made the right call to focus on America’s greatest pastime. He is ranked in the top 50 on some national baseball recruiting sites in the Class of 2025, and his stock could be rising.
“I have always loved baseball,” said the 6-foot-3 right-hander. “Football is kind of a hobby for me, I just happen to be pretty decent at it. I’m thankful for everything God has given me, but baseball is my passion.”
Gray’s fastball clocks at 96 mph, but he’s also got a changeup, slider and curveball in his arsenal.
He had scholarship offers from some elite college programs including LSU, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina, but Gray has committed to N.C. State, who offered him first and is a school he has remained committed to since early in his high school career.
Gray threw just two innings in his most recent start at East Mecklenburg last week, striking out four while walking two and hitting another batter.
Although there are some kinks to work out, the talent is unmistakable — and not just as a pitcher. Gray can more than hold his own at the plate, on the base paths and as a middle infielder.
But it’s on the mound where his future lies, and Wonders’ coach Empsy Thompson thinks that is a positive.
“When he gets to the next level and can focus on just one thing, he’s going to excel,” Thompson said. “All of the tools are there. Whenever he gets the chance to focus solely on whatever it is he’s going to do, the ceiling is very high. His skill set is just out of this world. He’s fun to watch, he’s fun to coach — he’s just got it.”
While the Wonders have started the season 2-4 and the scouts drain out of the stands once Gray is done on the mound, he’s still making the most out of his final high school sports season.
“We haven’t played great, but we all get discouraged sometimes and we have to keep going,” Gray said. “You have to wake up and do it all over again. It isn’t going to rain forever. As long as people know I am a good person and have a good character, that is all that matters to me. All of the accolades are great, but just knowing who the kind of person I am and being God-loving means the world to me.”
Some MLB draft websites have Gray projected to be a third to fourth-round draft pick — or maybe even higher.
“I try not to think too much about it, but when that time comes I’ll be ready,” he said.
His coach knows whatever path his star pitcher chooses, he will be in a good situation.
“CJ is a phenomenal talent,” Thompson said. “He’s dealing with a great situation here and if (the draft) doesn’t work out, N.C. State is still a great option for him. Either way, the sky is the limit for that young man and it’s going to be fun to watch.”