san diego – The Twins selected righthander J.R. Graham from the Braves organization with the sixth overall pick in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday.

In 2014 Graham was 1-5 with a 5.55 ERA in 27 games (19 starts) for Class AA Mississippi of the Southern League. He had shoulder problems in 2013, but the Twins are confident he's healthy.

Graham, who turns 25 in January, will have to make the team as a reliever. His fastball reached 96 mph last season and was higher in previous seasons. The Twins have to keep Graham on the roster the entire season or offer him back to the Braves.

"What happens with these younger guys trying to make the team, they have to throw it over and just throw strikes and challenge guys," said Vern Followell, the Twins director of pro scouting. "Then they have a chance to make the club."

The Twins selected righthander Greg Peavey from the Mets organization in the minor league phase of the draft. Peavey, 26, was 1-5 with a 11.62 ERA in six games for Class AAA Las Vegas and 11-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 18 games at Class AA Binghamton.

The Twins lost lefthander Sean Gilmartin to the Mets.

LA Velle E. Neal III