J. R. Graham

J.R. Graham
Graham with the Mississippi Braves
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1990-01-14) January 14, 1990
Livermore, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 6, 2015, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Win–loss record 1-1
Earned run average 5.10
Strikeouts 55
Teams

Johnathan Ryan Graham (born January 14, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins.

Amateur career

Graham 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

Atlanta Braves

Graham 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 Class A-Advanced Carolina League and the Mississippi Braves of the Class AA 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

At the 2014 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]

New York Yankees

The Twins designated Graham for assignment on May 6,[17] and traded him to the New York Yankees on May 14 for a player to be named later or cash considerations.[18] He spent the 2016 season with the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Class AAA International League. The Yankees outrighted Graham to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on September 26.[19] He was released on January 21, 2018. [20]

References

  1. 1 2 Bollinger, Rhett (February 5, 2016). "Slimmed-down Graham feeling stronger, faster". MLB.com. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Mason, Tyler (March 6, 2015). "Style to see: Twins' Graham sports stirrups for vision-impaired mom". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  4. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett. "Graham's high stirrups help legally blind mom spot him". MLB.com. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ Bonagura, Kyle (July 9, 2008). "2008 Baseball Player of the Year: J.R. Graham". Tri-Valley Herald. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ Reusse, Patrick (February 22, 2015). "Can't rule out Rule 5 draftee Graham from making Twins bullpen". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett. "Graham's love for mom is conspicuous". MLB.com. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  8. ↑ "With high schoolers out, Braves go college route". MLB.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Hard-throwing Braves prospect Graham makes big impression". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Do you know Braves prospect J.R. Graham?". Atlanta Journal Constitution. January 24, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  11. ↑ David Lee. "Braves prospect Graham continues development". Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  12. ↑ "2013 Top 100 Prospects". Baseballamerica.com. February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  13. ↑ Berardino, Mike (December 10, 2014). "Twins take right-hander J.R. Graham in Rule 5 draft". Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  14. ↑ Miller, Phil (May 12, 2015). "Twins reliever J.R. Graham works to become a Rule 5 keeper". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ "J.R. Graham overcame nerves in debut". Star Tribune. April 6, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  17. ↑ http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/15476657/minnesota-twins-demote-john-ryan-murphy-cut-ryan-orourke-jr-graham
  18. ↑ http://www.startribune.com/twins-deal-graham-to-yankees-prepare-to-face-indians/379529421/
  19. ↑
  20. ↑ https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-jan-19-25-2018/#1B6tJA1VPC43hBC5.97
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