Out of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, outfielder Joe Gray played for Team USA was a Perfect Game All-American in high school. Based on those accolades, Gray caught the attention of colleges around the United States and baseball scouts across the sport. He decided for school to stay local, committing to Ole Miss in the 2018 high school graduating class 

Gray never stepped foot on campus, though, beginning his professional career in 2018 when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him with 60th overall pick in the MLB Draft. His first two seasons of pro ball were in rookie ball, starting in Arizona and playing in 2019 in the Pioneer League with the Rocky Mountain Vibes. Despite the accolades, Gray needed time to adapt to baseball professionally, posting a below-average OPS in those first two seasons.  

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Gray got off to a fantastic start and flashed the potential many saw in him. His time at low-A Carolina did not last long, receiving a promotion to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at high-A in the Midwest League before the all-star break. Gray spent the rest of 2021, all of 2022, and the latter part of 2023 in Appleton, Wisconsin, with a short stint at double-A to begin 2023.  

The Kansas City Royals wanted to unlock Joe Gray’s best, selecting him in the MiLB rule 5 draft and starting Gray at double-A Northwest Arkansas. After 31 games to start 2024, the Royals released Gray and began his free agency. Gray was able to find the field in Atlantic League for five weeks in the summer, but his season came to an end when the Charleston Dirty Birds released him.  

Now, Gray is back in Wisconsin with the Lake Country DockHounds with plenty of strong baseball in front of him at age-25. Gray played with Jarred Kelenic at Team USA and his comfortability with the Kelenic family has the DockHounds optimistic that Gray will perform at Wisconsin Brewing Company Park and find his way back into affiliate ball to chase his MLB dream.