Seattle Mariners Three Stars of 3-2 Week 13
Star #2: Kendall Graveman
2 games, 2 saves, 2 innings, 1 base runner
The time for Graveman to be the closer for the M’s has finally arrived and it appears that Servais is fully committed. The right-handed veteran was called upon in both save situations the M’s had this week and he was stellar. He earned two saves to tie Montero for the team lead in saves, but that should change this week.
Graveman was efficient about it too. In the first game, he threw only 9 pitches to get the three outs and in the second game, he gave up a hit and only threw 11 pitches. That kind of efficiency keeps him available when needed versus needing to rest him because he’s thrown too many pitches.
Graveman is a converted starter after the discovery of a benign tumor on his spine. His conversion to closer though is something more recent due to Montero’s ineffectiveness in save situations (8.86 ERA). The velocity on his fastball has increased by 3-4 MPH since moving to the bullpen. Most converted starters see this, but Graveman has been able to keep his patented movement and that has made him nearly unhittable (.147 BAA) while only walking 4 (0.66 WHIP). In fact, Graveman has only allowed 17 base runners in 22.2 innings.