IP | 8.2 |
---|---|
ERA | 4.15 |
WHIP | 1.5 |
BB/9 | 4.15 |
SO/9 | 8.31 |
- Full name Edward Thomas McGraw
- Born 10/30/2001 in Cooperstown, NY
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Wake Forest
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Drafted in the 3rd round (92nd overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2023 (signed for $600,000).
View Draft Report
School: Wake Forest Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
BA Grade:50/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.
McGraw missed his senior season in high school after having Tommy John surgery, but stepped into a prominent role for Wake Forest as a freshman out of the bullpen, where his 4.42 ERA was the lowest of any freshman on the team. In 2022, McGraw moved to the starting rotation, where he posted a 4.08 ERA over 70.2 innings, but continued to struggle with shaky control. He blew out his arm again before the 2023 season started and missed his entire draft year. A solidly-built, 6-foot-3, 210-pound righthander, McGraw operates with a fairly simple delivery that features a full arm circle in the back, a lower, three-quarter slot and a bit of head whack in his finish. When healthy, he throws a sinking fastball, which allowed him to generate a 62% groundball rate in 2022—a boon for any pitcher who calls David F. Couch Ballpark home. The fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range and has touched 98. McGraw’s go-to secondary is a low-to-mid 80s slider which features solid three-quarter shape and plenty of horizontal movement, with spin rates in the 2,800 rpm range. The pitch generated a 36% miss rate in 2022 and also drove ground balls at a 52% rate. McGraw’s third offering is a mid-80s changeup with heavy sinking action that—you guessed it—also induces plenty of ground balls. McGraw has day one talent if healthy.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: McGraw has had two Tommy John surgeries, one in high school and one at Wake Forest. Despite going under the knife in his draft season, the Mariners were enamored enough with his arm talent to take him in the third round in 2023. McGraw came back from his surgery in 2024 to appear for 8.2 innings and showcase his electric stuff before being shut down for an elbow flexor injury.
Scouting Report: The main concern with McGraw is health, because he looks like a top-of-the-rotation starter when he’s healthy. His fastball is 94-98 mph with sharp, late armside run. Both of his secondaries are plus pitches as well. His slider is a sharp lateral breaker that destroys righthanded hitters, while his changeup shows late dive and fade away from lefties. He showed scattered control at Wake Forest, but he doesn’t need to be pinpoint with the quality of stuff that he possesses.
The Future: McGraw’s start to 2025 is uncertain because of his flexor injury. He has thrown just 8.2 innings in two years. He has an ace ceiling, and he’d be much higher on this list if health were not a concern. Still, he is a long ways away from the bigs and needs as many innings under his belt as possible.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45. -
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record: McGraw had Tommy John surgery in high school but recovered to become a top draft prospect after two seasons at Wake Forest. He became a favorite of Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto and entered his junior year considered a potential first-round pick, but he blew out his elbow in January and had a second Tommy John surgery. The Mariners saw an opportunity to get a premium talent at a discount and drafted him in the third round, No. 92 overall. He signed him for a below-slot $600,000.
Scouting Report: McGraw is a physical righthander with power stuff. His fastball sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with sinking action at the bottom of the strike zone. His best pitch is a high-spin, vertical slider in the mid-80s that misses bats and projects to be a plus pitch. McGraw primarily throws those two pitches, but he also has an average, mid-80s changeup with sinking action that keeps balls on the ground. He’s a heavy groundball pitcher who avoids serving up home runs. McGraw relies on overpowering hitters rather than hitting his spots and has below-average command and control. He has the look and physicality of a starter but has to prove he can stay healthy.
The Future: McGraw is slated to make his pro debut in 2024. He has mid-rotation upside if his stuff returns intact and he proves he can hold up.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40
Draft Prospects
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School: Wake Forest Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
BA Grade:50/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.
McGraw missed his senior season in high school after having Tommy John surgery, but stepped into a prominent role for Wake Forest as a freshman out of the bullpen, where his 4.42 ERA was the lowest of any freshman on the team. In 2022, McGraw moved to the starting rotation, where he posted a 4.08 ERA over 70.2 innings, but continued to struggle with shaky control. He blew out his arm again before the 2023 season started and missed his entire draft year. A solidly-built, 6-foot-3, 210-pound righthander, McGraw operates with a fairly simple delivery that features a full arm circle in the back, a lower, three-quarter slot and a bit of head whack in his finish. When healthy, he throws a sinking fastball, which allowed him to generate a 62% groundball rate in 2022—a boon for any pitcher who calls David F. Couch Ballpark home. The fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range and has touched 98. McGraw’s go-to secondary is a low-to-mid 80s slider which features solid three-quarter shape and plenty of horizontal movement, with spin rates in the 2,800 rpm range. The pitch generated a 36% miss rate in 2022 and also drove ground balls at a 52% rate. McGraw’s third offering is a mid-80s changeup with heavy sinking action that—you guessed it—also induces plenty of ground balls. McGraw has day one talent if healthy.