Baseball Prospectus released their top 10 prospects in the A's system and Kendall was ranked #5. Here's what they said:
5. Kendall Graveman
Position: RHP
DOB: 12/21/1990
Height/Weight: 6’2” 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: 8th round, 2013, Mississippi State University
Previous Ranking: NR
2014 Stats: 3.86 ERA (4.2 IP, 4 H, 4 K, 0 BB) at major league level, 1.88 ERA (38.1 IP, 34 H, 22 K, 5 BB) at Triple-A Buffalo, 1.50 ERA (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 K, 2 BB) at Double-A New Hampshire, 2.23 ERA (96.2 IP, 89 H, 64 K, 16 BB) at High-A Dunedin, 0.34 ERA (26.1 IP, 11 H, 25 K, 6 BB) at Low-A Lansing
The Tools: 5+ FB; 5 SL; 5 CT
What Happened in 2014: The former eighth-round pick out of Mississippi State made a stop at each level in his first full professional season, beginning the year at Lansing and finding himself in the bigs with Toronto to close the summer out.
Strengths: 90-93 mph fastball with heavy downward action that makes it tough for hitters to elevate the offering; present pitchability; cutter is weapon against LHH and has helped his case to starting games.
Weaknesses: Lacks plus offering; questions about ability to miss bats and take pressure off the fastball having to induce weak contact to consistently get outs.
Overall Future Potential: 5; no. 4 starter
Realistic Role: High 4; no. 5 starter; long man/middle relief
Risk Factor/Injury History: Low; achieved major leagues; mature arsenal.
The Year Ahead: The Mississippi St. alum soared through the minors after adding a cutter to his arsenal. This helped to alleviate some stress against left-handed hitters and mitigate the severity of an arsenal with a sinker-heavy approach. The cutter is mixed along with a slider and changeup, but his bread and butter is still the sinking fastball. While the pure stuff isn't overwhelming, Graveman shows poise and pitchability and shocked many within the industry with his ability to churn through the opposition and get outs. There are concerns moving forward in regards to lacking a plus offering and ability to efficiently maneuver through a major-league lineup multiple times, but the arsenal has enough juice to be a surefire bet in the bullpen at the very least.
5. Kendall Graveman
Position: RHP
DOB: 12/21/1990
Height/Weight: 6’2” 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: 8th round, 2013, Mississippi State University
Previous Ranking: NR
2014 Stats: 3.86 ERA (4.2 IP, 4 H, 4 K, 0 BB) at major league level, 1.88 ERA (38.1 IP, 34 H, 22 K, 5 BB) at Triple-A Buffalo, 1.50 ERA (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 K, 2 BB) at Double-A New Hampshire, 2.23 ERA (96.2 IP, 89 H, 64 K, 16 BB) at High-A Dunedin, 0.34 ERA (26.1 IP, 11 H, 25 K, 6 BB) at Low-A Lansing
The Tools: 5+ FB; 5 SL; 5 CT
What Happened in 2014: The former eighth-round pick out of Mississippi State made a stop at each level in his first full professional season, beginning the year at Lansing and finding himself in the bigs with Toronto to close the summer out.
Strengths: 90-93 mph fastball with heavy downward action that makes it tough for hitters to elevate the offering; present pitchability; cutter is weapon against LHH and has helped his case to starting games.
Weaknesses: Lacks plus offering; questions about ability to miss bats and take pressure off the fastball having to induce weak contact to consistently get outs.
Overall Future Potential: 5; no. 4 starter
Realistic Role: High 4; no. 5 starter; long man/middle relief
Risk Factor/Injury History: Low; achieved major leagues; mature arsenal.
The Year Ahead: The Mississippi St. alum soared through the minors after adding a cutter to his arsenal. This helped to alleviate some stress against left-handed hitters and mitigate the severity of an arsenal with a sinker-heavy approach. The cutter is mixed along with a slider and changeup, but his bread and butter is still the sinking fastball. While the pure stuff isn't overwhelming, Graveman shows poise and pitchability and shocked many within the industry with his ability to churn through the opposition and get outs. There are concerns moving forward in regards to lacking a plus offering and ability to efficiently maneuver through a major-league lineup multiple times, but the arsenal has enough juice to be a surefire bet in the bullpen at the very least.
