Christian James
Born:
05/24/1998 (Age: 25)
Bats:
Right
Throws: Right
Arm Slot: High 3/4
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 200
Primary Position: RHSP
Seconday Position: -
Throws: Right
Arm Slot: High 3/4
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 200
Primary Position: RHSP
Seconday Position: -
Acquisition Period:
14th Rd., 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft (NYM)
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A
Report Info
| Evaluator: | Adam McInturff |
| Report Date: | May 18th, 2019 |
| Dates Seen: | 2x -- April/May 2019 |
| Level: | Class A |
| Affiliate: | Columbia Fireflies |
| MLB Team: |
|
| On 40-Man Roster: | No |
Physical Description
Large, even frame w/ some room left to fill out across upper-half.
Mechanical Notes
Complex abbreviated SWU w/ deceptive moving parts. Choppy rhythm to operation; plunged, off-line arm-circle w/ inverted-w strain at foot-strike; H3/4 slot. Not the prettiest but works for him and finds a way to repeat.
| MLB ETA | Present Role | Future Role | Role Description | Risk | 2021 | P | 40 | Long Relief | Extreme |
|---|
| Pitch | Present | Future | Sitting | Range | Comments |
| Fastball Value | |||||
| Overall Fastball Value | 40 | 45 | — | — | Sink and control/command could make FB playable at maturity, though lack of velo holds him back. |
| Sink and control/command could make FB playable at maturity, though lack of velo holds him back. | |||||
| Fastball Velocity | 40 | 45 | 90 | 88-92 | Below-avg present velo, frequent dips into high-80s and settles in right at 90. Won't ever be overpowering but could add a tick more as he fills out. |
| Fastball Velocity | |||||
| Fastball Movement | |||||
| Fastball Movement | 50 | 50 | — | — | Heavy sinking FB that induces weak contact and keeps the ball on the ground. |
| Heavy sinking FB that induces weak contact and keeps the ball on the ground. | |||||
| Fastball Command | |||||
| Fastball Command | 40 | 45 | — | — | Control over command type; iffy stuff limits margin for error over the plate. |
| Control over command type; iffy stuff limits margin for error over the plate. | |||||
| Slider | |||||
| Slider | 45 | 50 | 79 | 78-82 | Shapely slurve w/ tight spin and consistent two-plane finish. Best pitch and separator; ingredients of big league breaking ball. |
| Shapely slurve w/ tight spin and consistent two-plane finish. Best pitch and separator; ingredients of big league breaking ball. | |||||
| ChangeUp | |||||
| ChangeUp | 40 | 45 | 83 | 82-84 | Shows more to LHH w/ fair separation and fade. Ingredients of usable future pitch w/ continued development. |
| Shows more to LHH w/ fair separation and fade. Ingredients of usable future pitch w/ continued development. | |||||
| Control | |||||
| Control | 40 | 50 | — | — | Pounds zone w/ FB, less ability to land off-speed. Shows the makings of a future strikethrower as he makes secondary stuff more usable early in counts. |
| Pounds zone w/ FB, less ability to land off-speed. Shows the makings of a future strikethrower as he makes secondary stuff more usable early in counts. | |||||
| Attribute | Present | Future |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Average | Average |
| Athleticism | Average | Average |
| Pitchability | Average | Average |
| Mound Presence | Average | Average |
Overall Summary
Sinkerballer w/ durable frame and remaining projection. Control and feel for spin are separators that could get him to the big leagues, but don't see velocity or overall impact stuff for consequential role. Ceiling of longman/spot-starter type who soaks up low-leverage innings.
