Gordon Joseph Graceffo (born March 17, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Gordon Graceffo
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 67
Pitcher
Born: (2000-03-17) March 17, 2000 (age 24)
Wayne, New Jersey, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 29, 2024, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average4.70
Strikeouts6
Teams

Amateur career

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Graceffo attended Cranford High School in Cranford, New Jersey and played college baseball at Villanova University. As a redshirt sophomore in 2021, he started 11 games and went 7–2 with a 1.54 ERA, 86 strikeouts, and 13 walks over 82 innings.[1] After the season, he briefly played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Bourne Braves.[2][3] He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[4]

Professional career

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Graceffo signed with the Cardinals and made his professional debut with the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Single-A Florida State League, going 1–0 with a 1.73 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 26 innings.[5] He opened the 2022 season with the Peoria Chiefs of the High-A Midwest League.[6] After eight starts in which he went 3–2 with a 0.99 ERA, 56 strikeouts, and four walks over 45+23 innings, he was promoted to the Springfield Cardinals of the Double-A Texas League.[7] He was named the Cardinals' Minor League Pitcher of the Month for both April and May.[8] Over 18 starts with Springfield, Graceffo posted a 7–4 record with a 3.94 ERA and 83 strikeouts over 93+23 innings.[9] For the 2023 season, Graceffo was assigned to the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A International League.[10] He missed time during the season due to shoulder inflammation.[11] Over 21 games (18 starts), Graceffo went 4–3 with a 4.92 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 86 innings.[12]

Graceffo returned to Memphis to open the 2024 season.[13] In 14 starts, he compiled an 8–5 record and 3.84 ERA with 70 strikeouts across 75 innings. On June 28, 2024, Graceffo was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[14] Graceffo made his major league debut the next day on June 29, 2024, pitching 4.1 innings in relief against the Cincinnati Reds.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Tantum, Alex. "Graceffo Starring in Minor Leagues". The Villanovan.
  2. ^ "Bourne Braves Baseball » Graceffo throws gem to lead Bourne to ninth win of season, historic run continues".
  3. ^ "Gordon Graceffo - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  4. ^ "Graceffo selected in 5th round by St. Louis Cardinals in the 2021 MLB Draft". July 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "Back-field beat: Liberatore pitches two scoreless frames; Graceffo notches eight strikeouts". March 24, 2022.
  6. ^ "Cardinals minors camp 'sensation' Graceffo raised his fastball velocity to 100 MPH, doesn't want to stop there". April 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Moves up to Double-A". May 24, 2022.
  8. ^ "Alec Burleson & Gordon Graceffo named Cardinals top Minor Leaguers for the month of May". MLB.com.
  9. ^ "Gordon Graceffo Stats, Fantasy & News".
  10. ^ "Where the Cardinals' Top 30 prospects are starting season". MLB.com.
  11. ^ "Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Could return in two weeks". June 2, 2023.
  12. ^ "Gordon Graceffo Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Guerrero, Daniel (April 19, 2024). "Cardinals prospects Tink Hence, Gordon Graceffo deliver one-run starts: Minor League Report". STLtoday.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  14. ^ "Cardinals Promote Gordon Graceffo". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  15. ^ Fagan, Ryan (June 29, 2024). "'We needed it': No. 8 prospect Graceffo saves 'pen in MLB debut". mlb.com. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
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