James McDonald (baseball)

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7+2⁄3-inning, 10 strikeout performance. On May 17, McDonald set a new career-high for strikeouts with 11 against the Washington Nationals, while also taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning. [11] During the month of May, he posted a record of 3–1 with a sparkling 1.54 ERA. On June 21, McDonald pitched his first career complete game, against the Minnesota Twins, throwing 120 pitches and allowing one earned run. [12] McDonald had a 2.37 ERA before the all-star break but a 7.52 ERA after the all-star break.

2013

McDonald was designated for assignment by the Pirates on September 7. He became a free agent on September 13.

Chicago Cubs

On February 13, 2014, McDonald signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. [13] He did not pitch in a game for the team due to injury and became a free agent after the season on October 29.

Coaching Career

In 2017, McDonald became a coach for the Southwest Nationals Baseball Organization, founded by former MLB pitcher Scott Elbert.

Pitching style

McDonald has a variety of pitches. His primary pitch is a four-seam fastball in the 91–94 mph range. He throws a two-seam fastball with similar velocity. He features two breaking balls: a slider (79–82) and a knuckle curve (75–77). His last pitch is a changeup in the low 80s. McDonald does not mix his repertoire differently between right-handed and left-handed hitters. He throws his four-seamer about half the time and uses his curveball most often when he is ahead in the count. [14]

In the early part of the 2012 season, his slider was recognized as the NL's second-best swing-and-miss pitch, only behind Cole Hamels' changeup, with whiff rate of 49% since 2011. [15]

Personal

McDonald's father, also named James, played basketball at USC and football for the Los Angeles Rams from 1983–87, [16] while his uncle Ben McDonald, was a professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors. [17] His cousins are former Chicago Cubs outfielder Darnell McDonald and former New York Yankee and Kansas City Royal outfielder Donzell McDonald. [18]

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References

  1. ↑ Coker, Matt (May 17, 2012). "[VIDEO:] Pride of Poly High James McDonald's Slider is Ranked a Most Wicked Pitch – OC Weekly" . Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Baseball: Long Beach Poly gets uniform donation from James McDonald". Los Angeles Times. March 25, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  3. ↑ Tot Holmes (February 10, 2008). "Dodger Prospect #4 – RHP James McDonald". LADugout. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Dodgers' McDonald a two-time POY". Archived from the original on September 29, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Top 100 Prospects: No. 41-60". February 24, 2009.
  6. ↑ Nathaniel Stoltz (July 31, 2010). "Octavio Dotel for James McDonald, Andrew Lambo". Call to the Pen.
  7. ↑ "Pirates send Rockies to seventh straight road loss". ESPN. August 6, 2010. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023.
  8. ↑ Dejan Kovacevic (September 18, 2010). "Pirates back McDonald with McCutchen, Bowker blasts". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  9. ↑ Jack Moore (September 14, 2010). "McDonald Pitching Like an Ace for Pittsburgh". Fangraphs.
  10. ↑ "Pirates eke past Braves as James McDonald outduels Tim Hudson". ESPN. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ Bill Brink (May 17, 2012). "McDonald, Pirates defeat Nationals, 5–3". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  12. ↑ "James McDonald's complete game lifts Pirates over Twins". ESPN. June 21, 2012. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Cubs agree to 1-year deals with Hammel, McDonald". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 31, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  14. ↑ "PITCHf/x Player Card: James McDonald".
  15. ↑ Jason Dunbar (May 11, 2012). "What is the best swing-and-miss pitch in baseball right now?". The Hardball Times.
  16. ↑ "James McDonald Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  17. ↑ "Ben McDonald Stats".
  18. ↑ James McDonald, Baseball Reference
James McDonald
James McDonald on June 13, 2012.jpg
McDonald with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pitcher
Born: (1984-10-19) October 19, 1984 (age 40)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 17, 2008, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last MLB appearance
May 1, 2013, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
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