IP | 8.2 |
---|---|
ERA | 4.15 |
WHIP | 1.5 |
BB/9 | 4.15 |
SO/9 | 8.31 |
- Full name Edward Thomas McGraw
- Born 10/30/2001 in Cooperstown, NY
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Wake Forest
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Drafted in the 3rd round (92nd overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2023 (signed for $600,000).
View Draft Report
School: Wake Forest Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
BA Grade:50/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.
McGraw missed his senior season in high school after having Tommy John surgery, but stepped into a prominent role for Wake Forest as a freshman out of the bullpen, where his 4.42 ERA was the lowest of any freshman on the team. In 2022, McGraw moved to the starting rotation, where he posted a 4.08 ERA over 70.2 innings, but continued to struggle with shaky control. He blew out his arm again before the 2023 season started and missed his entire draft year. A solidly-built, 6-foot-3, 210-pound righthander, McGraw operates with a fairly simple delivery that features a full arm circle in the back, a lower, three-quarter slot and a bit of head whack in his finish. When healthy, he throws a sinking fastball, which allowed him to generate a 62% groundball rate in 2022—a boon for any pitcher who calls David F. Couch Ballpark home. The fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range and has touched 98. McGraw’s go-to secondary is a low-to-mid 80s slider which features solid three-quarter shape and plenty of horizontal movement, with spin rates in the 2,800 rpm range. The pitch generated a 36% miss rate in 2022 and also drove ground balls at a 52% rate. McGraw’s third offering is a mid-80s changeup with heavy sinking action that—you guessed it—also induces plenty of ground balls. McGraw has day one talent if healthy.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record: McGraw had Tommy John surgery in high school but recovered to become a top draft prospect after two seasons at Wake Forest. He became a favorite of Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto and entered his junior year considered a potential first-round pick, but he blew out his elbow in January and had a second Tommy John surgery. The Mariners saw an opportunity to get a premium talent at a discount and drafted him in the third round, No. 92 overall. He signed him for a below-slot $600,000.
Scouting Report: McGraw is a physical righthander with power stuff. His fastball sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with sinking action at the bottom of the strike zone. His best pitch is a high-spin, vertical slider in the mid-80s that misses bats and projects to be a plus pitch. McGraw primarily throws those two pitches, but he also has an average, mid-80s changeup with sinking action that keeps balls on the ground. He’s a heavy groundball pitcher who avoids serving up home runs. McGraw relies on overpowering hitters rather than hitting his spots and has below-average command and control. He has the look and physicality of a starter but has to prove he can stay healthy.
The Future: McGraw is slated to make his pro debut in 2024. He has mid-rotation upside if his stuff returns intact and he proves he can hold up.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40
Draft Prospects
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School: Wake Forest Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
BA Grade:50/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.
McGraw missed his senior season in high school after having Tommy John surgery, but stepped into a prominent role for Wake Forest as a freshman out of the bullpen, where his 4.42 ERA was the lowest of any freshman on the team. In 2022, McGraw moved to the starting rotation, where he posted a 4.08 ERA over 70.2 innings, but continued to struggle with shaky control. He blew out his arm again before the 2023 season started and missed his entire draft year. A solidly-built, 6-foot-3, 210-pound righthander, McGraw operates with a fairly simple delivery that features a full arm circle in the back, a lower, three-quarter slot and a bit of head whack in his finish. When healthy, he throws a sinking fastball, which allowed him to generate a 62% groundball rate in 2022—a boon for any pitcher who calls David F. Couch Ballpark home. The fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range and has touched 98. McGraw’s go-to secondary is a low-to-mid 80s slider which features solid three-quarter shape and plenty of horizontal movement, with spin rates in the 2,800 rpm range. The pitch generated a 36% miss rate in 2022 and also drove ground balls at a 52% rate. McGraw’s third offering is a mid-80s changeup with heavy sinking action that—you guessed it—also induces plenty of ground balls. McGraw has day one talent if healthy.