J.R. Graham RP FA Sat 3/21/15 6:17 PM
J.R. Graham
RP FA
Graham threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in Saturday's loss to Baltimore. He's thrown seven scoreless innings this spring.
With Ryan Pressly and Michael Tonkin sent to Triple-A, Graham has a real shot to win a bullpen role as a Rule 5 draft pick. Graham has been stuck in neutral at the Double-A level for close to three seasons, as recurring shoulder issues have hindered his effectiveness. However, his mid-90s fastball could be a welcome addition in the bullpen.
J.R. Graham RP FA Thu 12/11/14 12:43 PM
J.R. Graham
RP FA
The Twins selected Graham (shoulder) with the fifth pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft.
Graham has been stuck in neutral at the Double-A level for close to three seasons, as recurring shoulder issues have hindered his effectiveness considerably. In 27 appearances (19 starts) with the Braves' Mississippi affiliate in 2014, Graham posted a 5.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 6.3 K/9 over 71.1 innings. However, the expectation is that the groundballer will finally be healthy and ready for spring training, so his addition makes sense for the pitching-needy Twins.
J.R. Graham RP FA Tue 11/11/14 4:58 PM
J.R. Graham
RP FA
Graham (shoulder) is expected to be fully recovered before spring training, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Graham struggled to the tune of a 5.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 27 appearances (19 starts) with Double-A Mississippi in 2014, but his troubles can be attributed in large part to his ongoing shoulder issues. A fourth-round pick in 2011, he was limited to just eight starts in 2013 due to the shoulder. Even if the problems are truly behind him, Graham will be hard-pressed to break camp with the big club, but that's not to say he can't reach the majors at some point in 2015.