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Jun 01, 2011 - Jun 03, 2011     
TBD - TBA, GA
Johnathan (J R) Graham
SS RHP 6-0 175   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
SCOUTING PROFILE: Even with his slight frame, Graham has one of the most-electric arms in this year’s draft class. His fastball reached 97-98 mph this spring as a matter of routine, and often peaked out at 100. For a time, it looked like Graham’s overpowering fastball alone would vault him into the first round, especially when he didn’t walk a batter through his first 12 relief appearances, spanning 24 innings. At the time, he had no walks and 26 strikeouts. But Graham’s performance started to level off after he made a rare start in the final game of Santa Clara’s West Coast Conference season-opening, three-game series against Loyola Marymount on April 10, when he was rocked for eight runs in five-plus innings, and walked his first batter of the season. With Santa Clara posting just a 17-32 record (4-15 in conference) this season, save opportunities were tough to come by for Graham, and he ended up making three more starts to get in some meaningful innings. Overall, he went 3-4, 3.54 with four walks and 41 strikeouts in 53 innings. As the season wound down, most of the talk about Graham going in the first round had pretty much subsided, and the consensus among scouts is that he’ll be a second-rounder, though could possibly slip into the sandwich round. Graham is highly athletic and very competitive, but his issue as a prospect has always revolved around his big arm—and small, wiry frame. As a senior in high school, Graham weighed only 165 pounds, but had little trouble reaching 92 mph and showcasing his impressive arm strength from the hole at shortstop. He was a solid two-way prospect at the time, with speed (6.68 in the 60) and sound infield actions, and actually saw significant time at third base in his first two seasons at Santa Clara. But when he struggled to hit at the college level, and it was becoming increasingly clear that his future was on the mound, Graham settled in as a closer for the Broncos over the latter part of the 2010 season. In 23 appearances, he saved four games while going 1-1, 5.27. During the summer in the Northwoods League, Graham focused on pitching and earned strong reviews for his quick arm and ability to pound the strike zone with easy 92-94 mph velocity. By this spring, Graham had jacked up his velocity another 4-5 mph. Though he also has a quality slider and changeup, giving him the three pitches he would need to work as a starter, Graham’s startling performance this spring in an end-of-game role, where he has been able to air out his fastball almost exclusively, has left little doubt in the minds of scouts that his future role is at the back end of the bullpen. Projected Draft Position: Compensation round / second round.




Jul 03, 2007 - Jul 09, 2007   California Smoke  13
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Johnathan (J R) Graham
SS RHP 5-11 165   R/R
FB
91
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
89-91
CB
74
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jun 15, 2007 - Jun 17, 2007   Royal  9
St. Xavier HS - Cincinnati, OH
Johnathan (J R) Graham
SS RHP 5-11 165   R/R
FB
92
60
6.68
40
OF
IF
91
1B
C
Pop
Range
90-91
CB
73
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham is a 2008 SS/P with a 5'11'', 165 lb. frame from Livermore, CA who attends Liveremore HS. He has a small, wiry frame and looks smaller than he's listed. Graham has big tools, though, and is one of the better two-way prospects in the country. He is a good runner with quick actions and ran the 60 in 6.68. His big tool is his arm strength. Graham's actions at shortstop are pretty simple and basic but he gets to balls and uses his 91 mph arm strength to gun down runners. He won't dazzle you defensively but he makes the plays and the arm is the equalizer. Not surprisingly, Graham also throws 90-92 mph off the mound from a quick, fast paced delivery. He shows good feel for his fastball and for a big and sharpt 72-73 mph curveball. The big question with Graham in the future will be his bat. He has good basic swing fundamentals and a line drive swing plane but lacks the strength right now to generate real bat speed to drive the ball. He should keep with what he is doing at the plate and future strength gains will help him.
PG Grade 9.5




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham P 2007 National Showcase
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham 60 2007 National Showcase
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham Hitting 2007 National Showcase
Jan 20, 2007 - Jan 21, 2007   5-Navy  64
Arrowhead Credit Union Park - San Bernardino, CA
Johnathan (J R) Graham
SS RHP 5-11 165   R/R
FB
89
60
7.04
40
OF
IF
86
1B
C
Pop
Range
86-88
CB
68
SL
72
CH
Split
Knuckle
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham is a 2008 SS/P with a 5'11'', 165 lb. frame from Livermore CA, who attends Liveremore HS. He was selected as a Top Prospect at this event and can be considered a prospect as a position player, as a pitcher, or as a two-way player. Graham has a lean, wiry strong athletic body with some quick twitch actions. He is a talented player with a pretty high ceiling. Graham hits, he runs well, is a good fielder, has a strong arm, can pitch, and has true baseball instincts. Offensively he has a quick bat and a plus hand patch. His swing is easy and lively and evan with a pretty deep load, he is still pretty short to the ball. Graham has good hands and is a slashing line drive hitter. When on base he is fun to watch. Graham accelerates quickly and is a decisive decision maker. He stretches singles to doubles, doubles to triples and will put pressure on the defense to come up with the ball and make a clean play. His speed plays much better in the game than his raw 60 yard time would indicate. Defensively Graham also showed his feel for the game. He has a quick and plus arm to go with good hands and good range. He is athletic and likely could play anywhere on the field, including centerfield, though shortstop is a good spot for him now. On the mound Graham also showed quite well. He has a fast arm and a smooth delivery. His stuff is lively and the ball comes out of his hand cleanly. Graham has a hot fastball (86-88, T89) and a good downer curveball with plus action and depth. He is a top tier D1 prospect with good grades too.
PG Grade 9.0




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham P 2007 California Underclass Showcase
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham 60 2007 California Underclass Showcase
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham Hitting 2007 California Underclass Showcase
Johnathan (J.R.) Graham IF 2007 California Underclass Showcase
Jul 10, 2006 - Jul 16, 2006   California Smoke  13
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Johnathan (J R) Graham
SS RHP 5-11 160   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle