The Chicago White Sox signed Kendall Graveman after he reached free agency following the 2021 season. Graveman pitched against the White Sox in the 2021 ALDS after being acquired by Houston from the Seattle Mariners. The veteran signed with the White Sox for three years and $24 million.
Throughout his tenure with the Pale Hose, Graveman showcased his reliability on the mound, contributing solid performances. However, he was eventually traded to the Houston Astros at the 2023 deadline, with the White Sox acquiring catcher Korey Lee in return.
Good Enough
Graveman, like the rest of the team, had a terrible April, but he pitched exceptionally after a rough start. From May 1 until the trade, he posted to an excellent 2.76 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 32.2 innings. He finished his 2023 campaign with Chicago with a 3.48 ERA in 44 innings.
Despite some red flags, such as a career-low groundball rate and a career-high walk rate, Graveman proved effective against both right-handed and left-handed batters. Righties managed a slash line of .221/.293/.404 against him, while lefties struggled even more, posting a meager .182/.338/.291.
His performance was impressive enough for the Astros to part ways with a top-100 prospect to acquire him.
Graveman's versatility was evident in 2023, as he took on various roles for the White Sox. With closer Liam Hendriks mostly unavailable during the season, Graveman occasionally stepped into the closer role, successfully converting eight of 11 save opportunities and securing eight holds.
Final Grade: B
What's On Tap Next?
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, characterized as a non-competitive year for the White Sox, the team is faced with financial constraints and numerous roster gaps. Alas, the White Sox front office deemed the decision to trade Graveman a prudent move, acknowledging the need to address other areas of the roster given limited financial resources.
More must-reads: