BA article about Graman

[aboz56]

By Chris Kline

April 19, 2004

 

Talk about nervous energy.

 

Columbus Clippers lefthander Alex Graman and righthander Scott Proctor got the call to join the Yankees in Boston on Saturday, just minutes after arriving at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

 

As they hurriedly stepped out of the elevator at the team hotel, vying for a cab that would take them to the airport, both Graman and Proctor stopped--briefly--to talk about what was going through their minds as they headed to join the big league club on the road at Fenway Park.

 

"Well, first of all, it's unbelievable," Proctor said. "Alex and I were just talking about all the thoughts running through our heads. I mean, not only are we going to the big leagues, but we're going to join in on one of the greatest rivalries in all sports. It's just amazing."

 

Added Graman: "Really, right now it hasn't sunk in. It just kind of feels a little weird, but I'm sure it'll sink in after we get to that field and hear that crowd."

 

Both pitchers took a long road to have the honor of donning pinstripes--even though at first they will be wearing the road gray uniforms.

 

Graman spent the last two seasons in Columbus, spinning his wheels and working on a changeup to complete his repertoire. Graman's fastball sits at 90 mph and touches 94. He has good velocity on his slider for a lefty, which is regularly clocked in the low 80s. His changeup is what has stalled his development--at least until now.

 

"I've been working on that pitch a lot, especially this spring," Graman said. "Sometimes it's been very good and others it just sort of hangs there, but I have a lot more confidence in it that I had in the past."

 

Graman was 0-2, 0.90 in 10 innings for Columbus. He struck out 14 and walked six.

 

Proctor came over to New York last July with outfielder Bubba Crosby in the Robin Ventura deal. As a starter in the Dodgers organization, his fastball/slider/changeup mix was less than intimidating, even for Double-A hitters. After a move to the bullpen, his velocity improved to the 90s and hit 100 mph after the deal.

 

Proctor was 1-0, 1.29 in seven innings for the Clippers. He walked four and struck out eight.

 

"I felt more comfortable coming out of the pen for whatever reason," Proctor said. "Now (with the promotion), we just need to keep doing what we've been doing. Both of us have been throwing well. The goal is not only to make it to the big leagues, but to stay in the big leagues. We just have take advantage of the opportunity and prove that we can pitch there and pitch there for a number of years."

 

And in the Yankees organization, not many of these opportunities open very often. More and more often in recent years, the big league club will write a check to fill a hole rather than rely on its farm system.

 

"No matter what organization you're in, it's going to take some breaks," Proctor said. "The other thing is everything they do is out of your control--the trade talks and all that stuff. As a player, you just have to control what you can on whatever field you happen to be on at the time."

 

Graman, who has spent his entire career in the organization since he was drafted out of Indiana State in the third round in 1999, has heard his name rumored in numerous deals. He says it's best just to ignore them.

 

"As a player, you want to make it to the big leagues with the team who drafted you," Graman said. "And maybe it's tougher to do here. Ever since I was drafted I've heard the trade rumors and you just can't worry about that. People know when you're ready and obviously they feel like I'm ready now. I'm just fortunate to have this opportunity to pitch for the Yankees."

 

The cab arrived and whisked both players to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, who both players headed for their future, starting in Boston.

 

"It's the same game," Proctor said. "You still need to go out and execute your pitches. We just have to go out and keep doing what we've been doing."

 

Graman is slated to start Tuesday against the White Sox after the Yankees placed righthander Jorge DePaula on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow. Proctor is expected to work out of the bullpen.

[Texsox]

Good -- Fresh Meat

[DonkeyKongerko]

So we are facing basically a two-pitch left-handed pitcher? He would probably pitch a 2-hit shutout against the pre-Ozzie White Sox.

[aboz56]

This is an important game for Mark to step up, as I see it as the most winnable game in the series. I'd like to take 2 out of 3 this series and this first game is the key.

[elrockinMT]

As others have noted many times in many posts-the Sox hitters always made comments about not hitting against a new pitcher because they never faced him before. That got very tiring-very fast. I am thinking we won't have that problem on Tuesday because the Sox brand of ball seems to make things happen plus Mark should keep us in the game. I would think that after that superb start from Loaiza on Sunday that Buerhle wants to do the same.I don't care if we win only 1-0 or 2-1 as long as we win.

[BobDylan]

Good -- Fresh Meat

Fresh fish! Fresh Fish!

[YASNY]

This is an important game for Mark to step up, as I see it as the most winnable game in the series.  I'd like to take 2 out of 3 this series and this first game is the key.

I agree with you. Game 1 is the key to this series. I don't like our chances of beating both Vazquez and Mussina.

 

The Sox hitters need to give this kid every opportunity to hang himself. Make him throw strikes and he may pitch like Cotts did against the Yanks last September. If there was any game to be be patient as a hitter, this is it. At least, until this kid proves he's going to throw strikes.