Johnathan Ryan Graham (born January 14, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins from 2015 to 2016.
| J.R. Graham | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Graham with the Mississippi Braves | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: January 14, 1990 Livermore, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 6, 2015, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 4, 2016, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 1-1 |
| Earned run average | 5.10 |
| Strikeouts | 55 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Amateur career
editGraham was born in Livermore, California, on January 14, 1990, to Brian and Julie Graham.[1] His mother Julie is legally blind due to the effects of Best disease, and when Graham started Little League as a shortstop, he wore white cleats instead of black ones at his father's suggestion and to help him stand out on the diamond.[2][3] Graham dropped the different colored cleats and began wearing stirrups at age twelve or thirteen.[4] He pitched and played shortstop while in high school.[5]
Professional career
editAtlanta Braves
editGraham was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 46th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft out of Livermore High School in Livermore, California.[6] He did not sign, choosing instead to attend Santa Clara University, where he began pitching full-time.[7] He was then drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.[8][9]
Graham pitched for the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Low–A Carolina League and the Mississippi Braves of the Double–A Southern League in 2012 and 2013. He went 12–2 with a 2.80 earned run average and 110 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched.[10][11] Prior to the 2013 season, Baseball America ranked Graham as the 93rd best prospect in baseball.[12]
Minnesota Twins
editOn December 10, 2014, at the Winter Meetings, the Minnesota Twins selected Graham from the Braves in the Rule 5 draft.[13][14] Graham made his major league debut on April 6, 2015, pitching two scoreless innings in relief of Phil Hughes against the Detroit Tigers.[15][16]
In preparation for the 2016 season, Graham lost 40 pounds over the offseason, going from 210 pounds (95 kg) to 170 pounds (77 kg).[1] Graham was designated for assignment by the Twins on May 6, 2016.[17]
New York Yankees
editOn May 14, 2016, the Twins traded Graham to the New York Yankees in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.[18] He spent the 2016 season with the Trenton Thunder of the Double–A Eastern League, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League, and Low–A Staten Island Yankees. In 17 games for Trenton, Graham compiled a 1.82 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 5 saves. He made four appearances outside of Trenton, allowing no runs with 7 strikeouts for Scranton and Staten Island. The Yankees removed Graham from the 40–man roster and outrighted him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on September 26.[19]
Graham spent the 2017 campaign with Scranton and Trenton, accumulating a 4.55 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 2 saves across 29+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was released by the Yankees organization on January 21, 2018.[20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Bollinger, Rhett (February 5, 2016). "Slimmed-down Graham feeling stronger, faster". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Flam, Lisa (April 21, 2015). "MLB pitcher wears stirrup socks so legally blind mom can see him on the field". The Today Show. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Mason, Tyler (March 6, 2015). "Style to see: Twins' Graham sports stirrups for vision-impaired mom". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Bollinger, Rhett. "Graham's high stirrups help legally blind mom spot him". MLB.com. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Bonagura, Kyle (July 9, 2008). "2008 Baseball Player of the Year: J.R. Graham". Tri-Valley Herald. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Reusse, Patrick (February 22, 2015). "Can't rule out Rule 5 draftee Graham from making Twins bullpen". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Bollinger, Rhett. "Graham's love for mom is conspicuous". MLB.com. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "With high schoolers out, Braves go college route". MLB.com. May 24, 2013. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ "Hard-throwing Braves prospect Graham makes big impression". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ "Do you know Braves prospect J.R. Graham?". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 24, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ David Lee. "Braves prospect Graham continues development". Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ "2013 Top 100 Prospects". Baseballamerica.com. February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ Berardino, Mike (December 10, 2014). "Twins take right-hander J.R. Graham in Rule 5 draft". Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Miller, Phil (May 12, 2015). "Twins reliever J.R. Graham works to become a Rule 5 keeper". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Trister, Noah (April 7, 2015). "Former Santa Clara closer J.R. Graham makes big-league debut as Tigers beat Twins". San Mateo Daily Journal. Associated Press. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "J.R. Graham overcame nerves in debut". Star Tribune. April 6, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "Twins send down Murphy, release two relievers". May 6, 2016.
- ^ "Twins deal Graham to Yankees, prepare to face Indians - StarTribune.com". www.startribune.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016.
- ^ "New York Yankees outright RHP J.R. Graham to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre". web.yesnetwork.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2016.
- ^ "Top MLB Prospects, Scouting Reports, Analysis".
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Santa Clara Broncos bio