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In our Stealth Bomber series, we talk to players in the farm system who aren't yet on the New York radar, but hope one day to be so.

He had a one inning cameo for the Staten Island Yankees, surrendering one hit while striking out two. We talk to Graham about his blazing fastball, his amazing last name, and much more...

Gary Wallace: You throw a slider and a changeup while running your fastball in the low to mid 90s. Could you elaborate (or correct me) on your pitching arsenal? Which is your go to secondary offering?

Graham Stoneburner: My fastball usually sits 92-96 and has topped out at 97. Slider is around 80-83 and my change is 78-80. I like to pitch mostly off my fastball and do my best to pound the lower half of the strike zone with it. My slider is my best secondary offering and has improved a lot within the last year.

GW: Is there anything you specifically want to focus on improving in this upcoming year?

GS: Improving my secondary pitches and getting comfortable enough with them to throw them in any count.

GW: Do you know where you’ll be starting the year?

GS: No idea.

GW: Have the Yankees indicated whether they want to utilize you as a starter or reliever? To that end, in a perfect world, which role would you want to have?

GS: No not yet, and either way it works out is fine with me, do not really have a preference. I guess in a perfect world the role that I would choose is the one that would put me in the position to be the most successful. I’m not sure which role that will be, but whatever path the Yankees choose for me will fine.

GW: Current Yankee farmhand DJ Mitchell was your teammate at Clemson. Did you two talk at all after your drafting? Does it give you confidence to see a guy you played with doing so well?

GS: DJ and I did talk after the draft, he said he put in a good word for me so I guess I've got to give him some credit on the Yankees being interested. I did ask him how he liked the organization, coaching, et cetera and he had nothing but great things to say about everything. It does give me confidence to see DJ doing so well, he was a great pitcher in college and seems to have gotten even better. It is always great to see someone that has come from the same place as you having success; it gives you an idea of what it takes to be successful.

GW: You tore your ACL before the 2007 season began. After you came back in 2008, you didn’t have the best statistical season. From ‘08 to ‘09, however, you lowered your ERA by 2 runs and increased your strikeout rate. How much do you think this had to do with being farther out from the knee surgery?

GS: I do think it had a lot to do with being healthy and getting back into baseball shape. My first outing in 2008 was my first time starting a game in 27 months (I also had to sit out my senior year of high school due to a back injury), so that is a pretty long time to be out of the game. When I came back from injury I quickly regained my arm strength, but it has been a work in progress to regain my touch and feel for pitching which is probably the most important part. I started to really feel like I was getting my feel for pitching back this past summer and it has continued since then. I think that has also really help improve my secondary pitches.

GW: You were a draft eligible sophomore and as such had a good deal of leverage in negotiations. How hard was the decision for you to leave for pro-ball? Did getting drafted by the Yankees have any extra influence at all (Yankees fans love to think everyone wants to play for them)?

GS: Clemson is a great place and I enjoyed my time there, so it did make it a hard decision whether to stay and graduate or go and pursue a career in Major League Baseball. The Yankees are a tough team to say no to with all of their success and rich history. They presented me with an opportunity that was just too good to say no to. So yes, I do think that getting drafted by the Yankees had a little extra influence.

GW: Have you ever played with anyone who had a more badass name than you? I’m guessing not.

GS: I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I know there have been some pretty cool ones.

GW: You’re pitching. Your brother Davis (Rangers SS prospect) is batting. How does that at-bat end? I’m going with HBP.

GS: Not sure about a HBP, but maybe a little chin music, then going right after him and may the best man win.

GW: Thanks again for this, it’s very much appreciated.

GS: No problem.


Many thanks to Graham for speaking with NoMaas and we wish him the best of luck in the upcoming season.