Graves named Co-SEC Pitcher of the Week

Graves vs. South Carolina in March 16, 2013 (Photo by Ben Walton)

Last summer, a 6'1 righty from St. Charles, Missouri and a student at Missouri displayed stuff that scouts said that they normally see in the Cape Cod League. The scouts went on to say he displayed talent that the NECBL normally doesn't get access too and he blossomed as a member of the Newport Gulls as the ace of the best pitching staff in the league.

This pitcher, Brett Graves, posted a minuscule 1.00 ERA in 35 and two thirds innings pitched while allowing just 20 hits and striking out 30. Many coaches agreed in saying he was the most consistent pitcher in the league, and Perfect Game USA projected him as a top three round pick in June as a draft-eligible junior.

Graves carried his success to Missouri and has been absolutely dominant. Graves boasts a streak of 15 scoreless innings and was named the Co-SEC pitcher of the week. He went eight innings against the University of Illinois-Chicago and allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out six, one off his career high.

"I'm just trusting my stuff," Graves said. "I'm trying my best not to let anything affect what I'm doing while I'm on the mound."

Graves, one of the top pitching prospects in the SEC this season, has been outstanding this season. He leads all Tiger starters with a 0.92 ERA and is 1-1 overall with 15 strikeouts against only three walks in a team-high 19.2 innings. He is limiting batters to a .132 average this season and has allowed just one extra-base hit all season. 

Over his last two starts, Graves has been even better than his season numbers. He has gone 15.0 innings, allowing just five hits, one walk and no runs while striking out 12. He has not allowed an extra-base hit in that span and is limiting batters to .098 hitting in those two starts. He has allowed just two runners to reach second base in that span. He has a 0.40 WHIP over his last two starts.

"Right now, I'm just focused on next week and starting a new week," Graves said. "Once we accomplish the goals we've set as a team then I'll be able to look back and have some good moments to remember."