Signed for $150,000 out of Venezuela by the Twins in 2014, Graterol had Tommy John surgery in 2016 before making his U.S. debut the following year. He broke out as one of the hardest-throwing starters in the Minors in 2018, then missed two months with shoulder issues last year before bouncing back to earn a September callup and a spot on Minnesota's Wild Card roster as a reliever. Originally headed to the Red Sox as part of a three-team Mookie Betts/David Price trade in February, he instead went to the Dodgers along with catching prospect Jair Camargo and a supplemental second-round 2020 Draft pick in exchange for Kenta Maeda, outfield prospect Luke Raley and $10 million toward Maeda's contract.
Graterol's fastball sits easily in the upper 90s and he can maintain it deep into his starts. As a reliever in the big leagues last year he averaged 99 mph and topped out at 102. It's a heavy, sinking fastball to boot, so not only does he miss bats with it, he generates a lot of groundouts as well. His 88-90 mph slider can be an out pitch when it's on and he also uses a changeup as a starter, though it's average at best and needs to improve so he can do a better job against left-handers.
Graterol has yet to top 102 innings in any of his five seasons as a pro, leading to questions about his durability, and while he has no trouble throwing strikes, the Twins weren't completely sold that his delivery was conducive to long-term success in the rotation. They planned on using him out of the bullpen in 2020, and while the Red Sox initially envisioned him as part of their future rotation, they became more concerned about reliever risk after reviewing his medical records. Assuming he does wind up in the bullpen with the Dodgers, he has the overpowering stuff to eventually become a closer.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
After signing in the summer of 2014 for just $150,000, Graterol pitched sparingly in the Dominican Summer League the following year, then missed all of 2016 because of Tommy John surgery. He eased his way back with a solid performance across two rookie levels in 2017, then really jumped on the prospect radar by excelling at two levels of full-season ball, topping 100 innings for the first time and helping Fort Myers win the Florida State League title in 2018.
Graterol's stuff continues to get better the more he matures and the further removed from surgery he gets. His fastball touches triple digits and will often sit in the 96-98 mph range, with an ability to maintain velocity deep into starts. Throwing with plenty of sink, Graterol misses bats and gets a ton of ground-ball outs off of his fastball. When he committed to throw the harder version of his slider, in the 87-89 mph range, it trended toward plus, but he would back off of it at times. Continued separation between that and his slower curve will help, as will further refinement of his changeup.
The right-hander filled up the strike zone in the Midwest League and was still pretty consistent up a level as a teenager, pointing to perhaps better-than-average control in the future. His stuff, command and strength all add to a big up arrow next to his name, with a future as a frontline starter a distinct possibility.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
The Twins have had their fair share of large international expenditures, like Miguel Sano and current shortstop prospect Wander Javier. Then there have been smaller signings, like Graterol, who got just $150,000. After missing the 2016 season due to Tommy John surgery, Graterol had a breakout United States debut in 2017, finishing with a strong outing in the Appalachian League playoffs and putting him firmly on the prospect map.
Graterol has exciting raw stuff that was clearly too much for Rookie-level hitters. His fastball now sits at 95-98 mph and he can touch triple digits. He throws two distinct breaking balls and both are viable weapons, with his slider having the chance to be a wipe out plus pitch down the road. His changeup is behind those two secondary offerings, but he has a feel for it and it could be Major League average in time.
Graterol has definitely been control over command, with his pure stuff helping mask any issues in that regard at the lower levels. But the Twins are very encouraged with the strike-throwing strides he made in 2017 and feel he could climb the ranks as one of the better pitching prospects in baseball as he ascends through the organization.
