Kendall Graveman is a Major League Baseball pitcher who has played for multiple teams over his career. In the 2021 season, Graveman had an exceptional performance, pitching for both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.
He recorded 10 saves and finished the season with a remarkable 0.82 ERA. Additionally, Graveman played an important role in the postseason, logging 11 innings and finishing three World Series games.
In this blog post, we will evaluate whether Kendall Graveman is a good pitcher based on his performance in the 2021 season and postseason. We will examine his statistics, pitching style, health, and other factors that contributed to his success.
We will also consider any potential limitations and risks that may affect his future performance. Ultimately, this analysis will provide insights into Kendall Graveman’s abilities as a pitcher and his potential for future success.
Graveman’s 2021 Season Performance
Kendall Graveman had an outstanding 2021 season, pitching for both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. Here are some statistics from his performance:
ERA: 0.82 (2nd in MLB among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched)
WHIP: 0.87 (3rd in MLB among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched)
Saves: 10
Strikeouts per 9 innings: 8.7
Walks per 9 innings: 1.8
Hits per 9 innings: 4.4
Graveman was used primarily as a reliever and closer during the 2021 season, pitching in 44 games and recording 10 saves. He was effective in both roles, with a 0.00 ERA in save situations and a 1.62 ERA in non-save situations.
Graveman’s ability to pitch in high-pressure situations was crucial for the Mariners and Astros, as he often entered games in the later innings to preserve leads.
Compared to other pitchers in the league, Graveman’s 0.82 ERA ranked second among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched, behind only Milwaukee Brewers’ Corbin Burnes. His WHIP of 0.87 also ranked third among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched.
Graveman’s performance was truly remarkable, as he consistently limited the number of hits and walks he allowed, leading to his low ERA and WHIP.
Overall, Graveman’s performance in the 2021 season was excellent, and his ability to pitch in a variety of roles made him a valuable asset to both the Mariners and Astros. His statistics compare favorably to other top pitchers in the league, demonstrating his effectiveness on the mound.
Graveman’s Postseason Performance
Kendall Graveman’s success during the 2021 postseason was also noteworthy. Here are some statistics from his performance:
ERA: 2.45
WHIP: 0.82
Strikeouts per 9 innings: 7.4
Walks per 9 innings: 1.2
Hits per 9 innings: 5.5
Graveman played a crucial role in the postseason for the Astros, logging 11 innings across 9 appearances. He was particularly effective in the World Series, where he finished three games, allowing just one hit and no runs in 3 innings pitched.
Graveman’s performance was instrumental in helping the Astros win the American League Championship Series and ultimately reach the World Series.
Compared to other pitchers in the playoffs, Graveman’s ERA ranked 22nd among all pitchers with at least 6 innings pitched. However, it’s important to note that many pitchers who rank above him had significantly fewer innings pitched.
His WHIP of 0.82 ranked 9th among all pitchers with at least 6 innings pitched, demonstrating his ability to limit baserunners in high-pressure situations.
Overall, Graveman’s performance in the postseason was solid, and his ability to pitch effectively in the World Series was crucial for the Astros’ success.
While his statistics in the playoffs may not have been as eye-popping as his regular-season numbers, his contributions were nonetheless important for his team.
Factors Contributing to Graveman’s Success
Pitching Style and Repertoire
Graveman’s success can be attributed in part to his pitching style and repertoire. He throws a heavy sinker, which generates a lot of ground balls and limits hard contact.
Graveman also has a slider and changeup in his arsenal, which he uses to keep hitters off balance. His ability to command his pitches and change speeds effectively allowed him to limit hits and walks and keep opposing batters off balance.
Health and Durability
Graveman’s health and durability also played a significant role in his success. After missing most of the 2020 season due to injury, he worked hard to get back to full strength and was able to stay healthy throughout the 2021 season.
Graveman appeared in 54 games and pitched 67 innings, demonstrating his durability and ability to handle a heavy workload.
Team and Environment
Finally, Graveman’s success can also be attributed to his team and environment. The Mariners and Astros both had strong defenses and supportive coaching staffs, which helped Graveman thrive.
Additionally, Graveman’s move to the Astros in a midseason trade allowed him to pitch in a more competitive environment, which may have motivated him to elevate his performance even further.
Overall, a combination of Graveman’s pitching style, health, and environment all played important roles in his success in the 2021 season and postseason. His ability to generate ground balls, stay healthy, and pitch in a supportive environment all contributed to his effectiveness on the mound.
Potential Limitations and Risks
Small Sample Size
One potential limitation to Graveman’s success is the small sample size of his 2021 performance. While he was dominant in the regular season and effective in the postseason, he only appeared in 54 games and pitched 67 innings.
It’s possible that his success could be partially attributed to luck or randomness, and it remains to be seen if he can sustain this level of performance over a larger sample size.
Injury Risk
Graveman has a history of injuries, including a neck injury that kept him out for most of the 2020 season. While he was healthy in 2021, there is always a risk that he could suffer another injury that could limit his effectiveness.
Regression to the Mean
Graveman’s 2021 performance was exceptional, with a 0.82 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. It’s possible that he could experience some regression to the mean in 2022, where his performance is not as dominant.
This is not to say that Graveman will necessarily decline in performance, but rather that it’s difficult to sustain such a high level of success over multiple seasons.
Historical Context and Trends
Finally, it’s worth considering Graveman’s historical performance and trends. Prior to 2021, he had a career ERA of 4.38, which suggests that his 2021 success may have been an outlier.
Additionally, Graveman has never been a big strikeout pitcher, with a career strikeout rate of 6.0 per 9 innings. It remains to be seen if he can continue to be effective with a low strikeout rate, especially as hitters continue to place more emphasis on power and launch angle.
Overall, while Graveman’s 2021 season and postseason were excellent, there are still some limitations and risks to consider. His small sample size, injury history, and historical performance suggest that there is some uncertainty around his future performance.
Nonetheless, Graveman’s success in 2021 suggests that he has the potential to be a very good pitcher, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the coming seasons.
Kendall Graveman’s 2021 Performance
| Statistic | Regular Season Total | Regular Season Rank | Postseason Total | Postseason Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERA | 0.82 | 1st | 3.68 | – |
| WHIP | 0.70 | 1st | 0.92 | – |
| Innings Pitched | 44.0 | – | 11.0 | – |
| Saves | 10 | – | 1 | – |
| Strikeouts per 9 IP | 8.4 | – | 7.4 | – |
Note: Regular season rank is among pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched. Postseason rank is among pitchers with at least 5 innings pitched.
FAQs
How does Graveman’s pitching style contribute to his success?
Graveman relies heavily on a sinker, which generates a lot of ground balls and induces weak contact. He also mixes in a slider and a changeup to keep hitters off-balance. His ability to induce ground balls is particularly effective in today’s game, where home runs are becoming more common and valued.
How has Graveman’s role changed throughout his career?
Graveman began his career as a starting pitcher, but struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance. He transitioned to a relief role in 2020, and found success as a high-leverage reliever in 2021. He has shown versatility in his ability to pitch in different roles, which is valuable in today’s game where bullpen usage is becoming more strategic.
How has Graveman’s performance compared to other pitchers on his teams?
Graveman was one of the best pitchers on both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros in 2021. His ERA and WHIP were among the lowest on both teams, and he was a valuable asset in both the regular season and postseason. He also performed well in comparison to other relief pitchers in the league, finishing with the fifth-lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched.
What kind of contract is Graveman expected to receive in free agency?
Graveman is set to become a free agent after the 2021 season, and is expected to receive significant interest from teams seeking a reliable and versatile reliever. It’s difficult to predict exactly what kind of contract he will receive, but it’s likely that he will receive a multi-year deal with a high annual salary, potentially in the range of $10-15 million per year.
What are Graveman’s long-term prospects as a pitcher?
It’s difficult to predict how Graveman will perform in the long-term, as there are some limitations and risks to consider, such as his injury history and the possibility of regression to the mean. However, his success in 2021 suggests that he has the potential to be a very good pitcher for at least the next few seasons. If he can stay healthy and continue to pitch effectively, he could be a valuable asset for any team that signs him.
Conclusion
Kendall Graveman had an outstanding 2021 season and postseason, pitching effectively in a variety of roles for both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. He demonstrated his ability to generate ground balls, limit hits and walks, and handle a heavy workload.
However, there are still some potential limitations and risks to consider, such as his injury history and the possibility of regression to the mean.
Nonetheless, Graveman’s success in 2021 suggests that he has the potential to be a very good pitcher, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the future.
