James McDonald (baseball)

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7+23-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]

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