ST. LOUIS, Mo.- On December 13, the St. Louis Cardinals named former Wildcat,
Gordon Graceffo, Minor League Pitcher of the Year after a standout season.
Graceffo started out his minor league career in the Low-A's with the Palm Beach Cardinals in 2021 after being selected in the fifth-round of the draft by St. Louis. He was promoted to the High-A's in April sporting a Peoria Chiefs uniform. Graceffo started eight games for the Chiefs pitching 45.2inning with a 0.99 ERA, striking out 59, and only allowing six runs (5 earned) before getting called up to the Springfield Cardinals (Double-A Affiliate).
With the Springfield Cardinals, Graceffo started 18 games, owning a record of 7-4 with an ERA of 3.94 while batters were averaging .213 against him. The former Wildcat struck out 83 while allowing 76 hits, 44 runs (41 earned) and walked 24. The consistent started logged 93.2 innings yielding 14 doubles, eight wild pitches, one balk, and hitting three by pitch. Graceffo had one pick-off on the season averaging 7.98 strikeouts per inning with a season-high of nine strikeouts over 6.0 innings on Sept. 15 against the Tulsa Drillers away to conclude the 2022 season.
Head Coach of the Wildcats,
Kevin Mulvey, commented on his former player's performance and the recognition Graceffo received after his first full professional season.
"Gordon's continued success while impressive comes as no surprise. He is an extremely hard worker with supreme talent. The sky is truly the limit for him. We are happy for him and proud of him. His future is very bright, and we wish him nothing but health and good luck," said Mulvey. "We were very fortunate to have had him as part of our program. Gordon left his mark on our program both in his success on the mound as well as the example that he set in all that he did. As great of a pitcher that he is those around him know he is an even better person."
Graceffo himself shared his thoughts about the honor and what the Cardinals organization has meant to him over the year.
"I am humbled and honored for this recognition. I am also grateful for my teammates, coaches and the Cardinals front office choosing me for this award," Graceffo reflected. "The Cardinals organization is full of some pretty impressive arm talent. There is a long list of others within our farm system who are also worthy of this award. As much of an honor as it is, it also serves as inspiration to focus on improving for next season to put myself in the best position to succeed."
Assistant Wildcats Coach,
Jabin Weaver, also offered congratulations to the minor league star on the award and dove into the impact Graceffo made at Villanova.
"I could not be happier or more proud of Gordon's success this early in his career. His inner drive to reach the highest levels of our sport did and continues to have an enormous impact on our pitching staff and program at Villanova," said Weaver. "What will always set Gordon apart from others is his humility. He is a tremendous person that is extremely easy to root for and I am so fortunate to be able to watch him go through this experience."
A large congratulations to the former Villanova baseball player and current minor league star on his accomplishments so far as the Wildcat family hopes for Graceffo's continued success.
