Connor Grey recently signed a contract with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. Photo courtesy of Reno Aces

Chicago was the site of the best performance of Connor Grey’s baseball career.

He’s likely going to call the Windy City home for another summer.

The 2012 Frewsburg graduate recently signed a contract with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.

“We felt this was just more of a backup plan. This was always there because it starts later. Obviously the goal is to get picked up by an affiliated club first,” Grey said Thursday evening. “We figure with over 1,000 minor leaguers getting cut because of COVID, (Independent) opportunities might pass us by. To get in and get a contract would be a good backup knowing you at least have a spot to play in a good league.”

The AA is a 12-team league based primarily in the central United States. Grey’s contact would void if he signs with an affiliated team prior to the season.

Jamestown High School and Jamestown Community College graduate Anthony Barone managed the Milwaukee Milkmen to the league’s championship last summer during an abbreviated season due to the COVID-19-pandemic.

The Dogs were one of six teams to participate in the 2020 season and they finished last with a 26-32 record.

Chicago is managed by former Boston Red Sox manager Butch Hobson, who played eight seasons in Major League Baseball with the Red Sox, California Angels and New York Yankees. He hit .248 with 98 home runs and 397 runs batted in.

Hobson then managed Boston for three seasons, winning 207 games and losing 232 for a .472 winning percentage.

Ironically, Hobson was also Grey’s manager in Kane County when he threw the perfect game.

“I’ve played with him already,” Grey said. “He knows me so that’s what kind of had me lean in his direction. I’m comfortable playing with him.”

Grey last pitched professionally in the summer of 2019 when he went 4-2 with a 4.57 earned run average and 51 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched.

He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 20th round of the 2016 draft out of St. Bonaventure University. In four minor league seasons across six levels, Grey went 27-17 with a 3.95 ERA and 324 strikeouts in 369 innings.

His greatest performance came on Sept. 1, 2017 — his final outing of the season with the Kane County Cougars. That night, Grey threw the first perfect game in Kane County history when he blanked the Clinton LumberKings, 5-0, at Ashford University Field. The 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander threw 100 pitches and struck out eight.

The Cougars actually joined the American Association this winter after losing their affiliation with the Diamondbacks.

“I’ll be pitching there,” Grey said. “It’ll be cool to go back.”

Grey was released last May when he became a casualty of the minor leagues not playing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, Grey and his agent Brian Charles were confident he would get a shot with another Major League club. Then this December, Major League Baseball made it official that there would be a downsizing throughout Minor League Baseball beginning with this coming season. Several affiliates were eliminated, meaning less opportunities for players — especially minor league veterans.

“That changed a lot of things. A lot of drafted guys are going to go straight to Low-A and push other guys up the ladder,” Grey said. “It affects older guys, finding spots for them. I felt like if I was doing what I was doing in spring, I would’ve earned a spot.”

That’s when Grey decided the independent route might be best.

“I just know I want to go there and do my job, win and do well. It gives me an opportunity to get signed by an affiliated club. That’s everybody’s goal,” said Grey, who has been working out at Full Circuit Athletics in Hamburg three days a week. “I’m going to be starting. My job is to go out every fifth day and win games.”