A bump in the road

A bump in the road

Tommy John surgery sidelines Orioles’ prospect Gray Fenter

West Memphis School District Gray Fenter stood on the mound feeling confident, feeling strong and with two strikes on the hitter his catcher signaled for his signature pitch.

The pitch that attracted dozens of Major League scouts the last two years.

The pitch that made the New York Yankees front office gauge its spin rate.

The pitch that turned amateur hitters' legs into jelly.

The pitch that landed him a million-dollar signing bonus in June of 2015.

Fenter's curve (he called it a slider a year ago) headed homeward to former Arkansas Razorback Tyler Spoon of the Boston Red Sox organization. All the right fielder could do was flail at it for strike three.

Fenter's start to his first spring training as a Baltimore Orioles minor leaguer was heading in the right direction, except for one thing.

As the ball came out of his hand to fan Spoon, he felt a tweak in his right arm. The next day when Fenter was set to throw on the side again, 'it wasn't happening.'

As in unable to throw.

Turns out, Fenter damaged his elbow and the Orioles scheduled him for Tommy John surgery in the coming days of March.

Fenter, the former West Memphis Blue Devil drafted in the seventh round last June by Baltimore, will be out of action for the next 12 to 15 months.

Fenter's surgery in Birmingham, Ala., was done by Dr. James Andrews, the world's most renowned orthopedic sports medicine doctor.

'He's probably the exact opposite of what most people would think he's like,' Fenter said of Andrews.

'He's reconstructed the knees of Michael Jordan, RGIII (Robert Griffin III), Phil Mickelson and so many major league pitchers. He's like talking to your grandfather. He's a nice, laid-back man.'

Fenter's in the beginning stages of his rehab right now, which is to say he's doing nothing. The Orioles instructed the 6-foot righthander to conduct all of his rehab at their spring training home of Sarasota, Fla., where the younger players in the organization are still in extended spring training. 'It's pretty boring right now,' is how Fenter put it.

But as advanced as Tommy John surgery has become over the years Fenter will be good as new by the early stages of next season.

'One thing Dr. Andrews told me was the only way I could mess up my arm would be to start back throwing too early,' said Fenter. 'So, I'm not doing that.'

Fenter's rise in the Orioles organization was so strong following his half season in the Gulf Coast League last summer that they were sending him to full-season ball to start 2016, playing in Delmarva in the Class A South Atlantic League with two other high-profile Orioles prospects, 2015 first-round pick D.J.

Stewart of Florida State and second-round selection Ryan Mountcastle.

Last summer, Fenter compiled a sparkling 1.66 ERA in 21.2 innings while striking out 18 and walking only 6.

The Orioles still have high expectations for the Academies of West Memphis product.

Fenter has gotten over the initial dismay over the injury and his hopes have been steadily strengthened by Orioles front office folks.

'In only doing isometric exercises right now to strengthen my shoulder and bicep,' said Fenter. 'In four months I may be able to throw some rainbows, but I'm going to take it as slow as possible. I feel like you have to take a step backwards in order to go forward. That's where I would say I'm at now.'

By Billy Woods