Why Fans Should Not Be Concerned About Some Of Sonny Gray’s Spring Training Numbers originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox made major changes to the starting rotation this offseason, including trading for Sonny Gray.

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Gray is a three-time All-Star who spent the last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a 4.07 ERA in 60 starts over the last two seasons and will now look to help the Red Sox reach a World Series.

He did not have a phenomenal spring training, but there is really no reason to worry. For one, it’s only spring training, and the buildup is more important than the stats. Additionally, he has overcome bad springs to have stellar seasons in the past.

In 2015, Gray had a 7.53 ERA in four spring training starts. He went on to post a 2.87 ERA and earn an All-Star selection that season. He has posted an ERA over 5.00 eight times in his career. His career ERA in the regular season sits at 3.58.

On top of the numbers not being indicative of regular-season performance, Gray’s big goal this spring was likely to get comfortable with the pitches the Red Sox want him to lean more heavily on. On Sunday, Gray relied heavily on his sinker. It was his most thrown pitch. That is a result of the Red Sox trying to limit his four-seam fastball usage.

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Hitters hit .376 against his four-seam fastball last season, and it was his most-used pitch. Gray had a 12.56 ERA last spring, but ended up having a solid year. The biggest concern with Gray this spring was command. He had a 59% strike rate and walked seven batters in four starts. However, it’s likely a result of reworking his arsenal to the Red Sox’s liking.

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