Alex Graman
| IP | 6 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 19.5 |
| WHIP | 3.5 |
| BB/9 | 6 |
| SO/9 | 6 |
- Full name Alex Joseph Graman
- Born 11/17/1977 in Huntingburg, IN
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Indiana State
- Debut 04/20/2004
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Drafted in the 3rd round (111th overall) by the New York Yankees in 1999.
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Indiana State finished at the bottom of the Missouri Valley Conference standings despite the efforts of LHP Alex Graman. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Graman flashes four big league pitches in spurts, including a lively fastball in the 89-91-mph range.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Just a couple of years ago, Graman was regarded as the leader of an impressive crop of up-and-coming Yankees southpaws that also included Randy Keisler, Brandon Claussen, David Martinez, Danny Borrell and Ted Lilly. Keisler, Claussen and Martinez missed the majority of 2002 with injuries, Borrell has made progress and Lilly was traded to the Athletics. Graman hasn't shown the improvement scouts expected. He has been the subject of trade requests because of his four-pitch mix and command. His fastball is average at 87-91 mph and he'll occasionally reach back for a little more. He'll also vary speeds and movement between his two-seamer and four-seamer. His splitter is a potential out pitch, and he keeps hitters guessing with a slider and changeup. Graman must take a step forward in the Triple-A rotation if he's going to figure into New York's plans. -
Graman's name often is bantered about in the trade rumors that constantly swirl around the Yankees. In 2000, he reportedly was to be included in a package for Sammy Sosa, and more recently was involved in talks for Darin Erstad. In 2001, Graman didn't find his groove until July. After going 6-6, 5.30 in his first 15 starts, he went 7-3, 2.12 over the final two months. His surge can be attributed to locating his fastball. Graman goes after hitters' weaknesses with a diverse four-pitch repertoire consisting of a 90-94 mph fastball, a tough splitter, a slider and a changeup. Graman enjoyed pitching in Norwich's spacious Dodd Memorial Stadium last year, where his ERA (2.73) was nearly two runs lower than on the road (4.58). Improving his changeup would help him against righthanders, who batted .276 against him in 2001. Graman will head to Triple-A and could be ready to help New York in a pinch. However, he'll require extra effort to stand out in a crowded group of lefthanders including Brandon Claussen, Randy Keisler and Ted Lilly at the upper levels of the system. -
The Yankees are deep in lefthanders, and Graman has the highest ceiling of any of them. As a result, both the Tigers and the Cubs tried to get him when New York explored trade possibilities for Juan Gonzalez and Sammy Sosa at midseason. He was rated the short-season New York-Penn League's top prospect in 1999. Graman is a legitimate four-pitch pitcher, with a great package for a lefthander, starting with a low-90s fastball that can touch 94 mph. With his frame, he's still projectable and could add more velocity. He's fearless when it comes to throwing his changeup behind in the count, has good bite on his curveball and puts hitters away with his splitter. Graman needs to improve his command, mostly of his pitches but also of his emotions. That should come with experience. Graman will begin 2001 in Double-A. With his stuff, he might be ready should the Yankees need him toward the end of the season, though a 2002 ETA is more likely.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Graman has three solid pitches, all of which have a chance to be above-average. His fastball is in the 90-93 mph range with good, late life to it. One manager said that although there were a number of pitchers in the league who threw harder than Graman, he seemed to be the fastest because of the late exploding action on his fastball. Graman also throws a hard 77-79 mph curveball that one manager called exceptional and a split-finger change for an offspeed pitch. With his three pitches and command of both sides of the plate, Graman could be a fast-track prospect. One manager compared Graman to Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte, which would suit New York just fine.
