Former Fresno State star Murf Gray earns Pirates top minor league honor
The short version
- Baseball America named Murf Gray the Pirates' 2026 Minor League Player of the Year.
- He hit .305 with 32 home runs across three minor league levels, from Single-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona.
- The Pirates drafted him 73rd overall in 2025.
- At Fresno State, he won 2025 Co-Tony Gwynn Player of the Year and both conference Freshman (2023) and Player (2025) of the Year honors.
Baseball America named Murf Gray, a Madera product and ex-Diamond 'Dog, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Minor League Player of the Year after a .305, 32-homer season.
Murf Gray, who grew up in Madera and played college ball at Fresno State, has been recognized by Baseball America as the Pittsburgh Pirates' Minor League Player of the Year.
Across three rungs of the minor league ladder this season, Gray posted a .305 average and clubbed 32 home runs. His year began with Single-A Bradenton and ended at Double-A Altoona.
Pittsburgh selected Gray with the 73rd pick in the 2025 draft. That made him the 10th Fresno State player taken by the Pirates and the program's highest selection since 2019.
During three collegiate seasons, Gray shared the 2025 Tony Gwynn Player of the Year award and was the first Bulldog ever to win both conference Freshman of the Year (2023) and Player of the Year (2025). He ranks seventh in school history with 36 career home runs and placed in the top 10 for career RBIs and doubles.