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Relief Pitcher
Age: 28 (August 7, 1973)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
Throws: Right
Bats: Right
TM
G
GS
CG
SHO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
W
L
SV
HLD
BLSV
ERA
WHIP
1996
Cle
15
0
0
0
29.2
29
18
15
2
10
22
2
0
0
0
1
4.55
1.34
1997
Cle
5
0
0
0
11.1
15
8
6
2
9
4
0
0
0
0
0
4.76
2.16
1997
Cin
10
0
0
0
14.2
26
14
10
0
11
7
0
0
0
1
0
6.14
2.61
1997
--
15
0
0
0
26
41
22
16
2
20
11
0
0
0
1
0
5.54
2.35
1998
Cin
62
0
0
0
81.1
76
31
30
6
28
44
2
1
8
6
0
3.32
1.28
1999
Cin
75
0
0
0
111
90
42
38
10
49
69
8
7
27
0
9
3.08
1.25
2000
Cin
66
0
0
0
91.1
81
31
26
8
42
53
10
5
30
0
5
2.56
1.35
2001
Cin
66
0
0
0
80.1
83
41
37
7
18
49
6
5
32
0
7
4.14
1.26
2002
Cin
47
0
0
0
56.1
59
20
18
2
15
36
3
3
28
0
6
2.88
1.32
Total
--
346
0
0
0
476
459
205
180
37
182
284
31
21
125
7
28
3.40
1.35
History
Danny Graves was born in Saigon, Vietnam, on August 7, 1973. He was developed by the Indians organization, who later traded him to the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. Graves was worked into the closer role with the Reds, compiling a 3.39 ERA and 125 saves over 7 big league seasons. He has consistently improved upon his saves total each year, and looks to dramatically increase upon his career-high in that category this season. Perhaps more impressive are Graves’ two major league hits – both home runs. Both home runs came against Houston.
The 2001 campaign was a disappointment for Graves, who compiled his highest ERA (4.15) ever as a closer. The biggest problem was his failure to retire batters at his home park, Cinergy Field. Opponents hit .335 at Cinergy Field off Graves, as opposed to a .197 average on the road. His 32 saves marked a career high, but only 10 of those saves came at home. His ERA at Cinergy Field was an atrocious 6.21, which is more than double his ERA for this season.
His Game
Graves is capable of pitching as both a starter and a reliever. Graves is at his best when pitching as much as possible, as his fastball improves with the more work he gets. He tends to overthrow and pitch from behind in the count should he not see action for long stretches of time. His best pitch is his two-seam fastball, which hovers around the 93-95 MPH range. Graves has an improving changeup and solid slurve, both of which he can throw consistently well. He tends to allow too many stolen bases, but is working on his move to first.
Spring Expectations
Uncertainty about Graves’ future reduced his price to fantasy players before the season, but he has done more than enough to help reduce those fears. Talk around Cincinnati was that Graves may be moved to the rotation. Other rumors suggested that Graves would be traded and converted into a starter or a set-up man. These rumors shied many owners away from Graves, leaving others to take a chance on one of the top closers in the National League.
Season-To-Date
The pre-season speculation proved unfounded, however, and to this point in the season, Graves has pitched well. He is on track to have the best season of his career, and is pitching well in all respects. His ERA is currently at 2.77, and he is on pace for a career-high 47 saves. Opposing batters are hitting .265 off Graves this season, which is an increase over his career average. However, Graves is dominating in all other aspects of his game. His walk total is lower than usual, which more than compensates for the increase in the number of hits he has allowed.
Graves is on pace for 47 saves and 5 wins. That would put him 15 saves over his career-high, and would undoubtedly mark the best season of Graves’ young career. His two home runs allowed mark a significant decrease from past seasons, and he is on pace to cut his total from last season in half. Keep an eye on Graves’ unusually high batting average against total, as that number should decrease as the season wears on.
Future Expectations
The future remains a blur for Graves, who still may be traded or converted to a starter. Graves lacks the stamina to be effective as a starter, and a trade would likely decrease his value to fantasy owners. If Scott Williamson proves himself worthy of closing, there is a good chance that Graves may be shopped to other teams. It is likely that Graves will remain the closer for the remainder of this season, in which case his value would remain high. Graves has established himself as a top closer, and should continue to prove himself worthy of that label.
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Richie Madden Indians Minor League Reporter
Posted by Chris Wang at July 24, 2002 06:55 AM
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