Gray was born in Nashville, Tennessee, to Cindy and Jesse Gray, and lived in Nashville until his family moved to Smyrna, Tennessee, before his eighth-grade year. His father died in a car accident during Gray's fres… See more

As a freshman for the Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team, he began as a relief pitcher, earning four saves before moving to a starter's role late in the season. He posted a 4.30 ERA, which he would improve up… See more

Gray was selected 18th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2011 MLB Draft. He elected to forgo his senior year at Vanderbilt, and signed with Oakland for a $1.54 million signing bonus. After he signed, the Athletic… See more