December 1, 2021
Right-handed pitcher Graham Spraker is looking to build off his 2021 season that saw him pitch at three levels. Beginning the year with double-A New Hampshire, Spraker would later have a stint with triple-A Buffalo, before concluding his year in the AFL.
Pitching 44 2/3 innings during the regular season, Spraker racked up 65 K’s, and maintained a WHIP of 1.21 between double-A and triple-A.
Logging the majority of his innings in New Hampshire, Spraker reflects on his time with the Blue Jays’ double-A affiliate.
“The best part of pitching in New Hampshire was being part of such a great group of guys,” said Spraker. “The coaching staff in New Hampshire really values their players and their development.”
Joining the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of the season, Spraker logged an additional 11 1/3 innings, allowing just four hits, while striking out 17.
Returning to the AFL in 2021 with a purpose, Spraker feels his great numbers were due to his mindset.
“The AFL was a great experience, especially the second time around,” explained Spraker. “My biggest takeaway from this fall was my intention and my mindset. I came back to the AFL with a purpose and I met my goal.”
Spraker’s great showing with Mesa earned him Reliever of the Year honors in the AFL.
“Receiving the Reliever of the Year award was a nice surprise,” stated Spraker. “To me, it meant my hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
Tweaking his repertoire has been part of Spraker’s journey in pro ball so far. Entering pro ball as a two-pitch reliever that threw a sinker and slider, Spraker would later add a changeup, as a starter.
But with the extended off-season in 2020, Spraker changed his pitch mix altogether.
“Going into the 2020 lockdown, I scrapped everything I’ve thrown prior, and completely reevaluated what kind of pitcher I was,” explained Spraker. “Returning to play in 2021, I exclusively threw a new 4-seam fastball and a cutter. I developed both pitches during the 2020 off-season.”
Looking to make adjustments to his repertoire again this off-season, Spraker has big plans for the winter.
“My off-season plans includes revisiting some of my old pitches that I used to throw and see if adding any of them back would improve my pitch mix as well as exploring any new possibilities,” said Spraker. “I’ll also be training for more velocity as well.”
Be sure to follow Graham Spraker in 2022, and for years to come.