Oakland Athletics’ prospect, Kendall Graveman made another leap towards securing a spot in the A’s Opening Day rotation on Wednesday, hurling three innings while allowing only one run against the Indians. Graveman made the most of his Cactus League start, allowing two hits and a walk while exhibiting sharp control.
Graveman was acquired from the Blue Jays in the deal that sent Josh Donaldson to Toronto in exchange for a package including Brett Lawrie, Sean Nolin, and Franklin Barreto. Considering his consistent success in the minors, it’s not surprising that he’s in consideration for a rotation spot.
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Since being an eighth round pick in the 2013 draft, Graveman has dominated every level he’s pitched in less than a year and a half. Since his time at Mississippi State, Graveman’s calling card has been his ability to control the strike zone and generate ground balls. Through 207 minor league innings he’s averaged less than two walks per nine innings and yielded only five home runs.
Sep 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kendall Graveman (31) delivers a pitch during the Jays 7-5 loss to Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
His short stint in Triple-A Buffalo gives Oakland a clear image of what Graveman can do on the mound if he continues to develop. In six starts, he posted a 1.88 ERA in 38 and 1/3 innings and leaving 82.5 percent of the runners on base. Potentially more significant, considering his reliance on the defense behind him, he had a 2.94 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) ERA, indicating that he’s pitching well whether or not he has stellar defensive play backing him up.
This superior play earned Graveman a September call-up. Although his five appearances were out of the bullpen, his 0.86 WHIP and 1.42 FIP are encouraging considering the limited stint.
His start against the Indians comes after an even more impressive showing versus the Diamondbacks where he allowed two singles in two scoreless innings of work. More notably, however, was that he let his defense do a lot of the work, as he generated five ground-ball outs in a 7-2 win. “The defense played great behind me,” Graveman said, according to Comcast Sportsnet. “They know they’re gonna get ground balls when they’re out there.” That’s something they should get accustomed to as Graveman moves closer to locking up a roster spot.
With a sinking fastball, a plus change-up, and a rapidly improving cutter, Graveman’s arsenal allows him to keep hitters off balance. With his below average strikeout capability, pitch selection will be integral to his future success.
As someone who can go seven innings every game, there’s no reason he shouldn’t figure into the A’s plans in 2015. He may not light up the radar gun, but as long as he produces outs, that’s all that matters. As long as Oakland’s infielders are on their toes, he could find himself a staple of their rotation and candidate for Rookie of the Year by season’s end.
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