Chad

James

James, a first-round pick in 2009, was released by the Marlins this April after posting a 4.71 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across five different minor league seasons. The 23-year-old left-hander is no longer considered a prospect.

A 2009 first-round pick, James never advanced past High-A, posting a 4.67 ERA in four minor league seasons. He’s just 23, so someone should give the southpaw another shot.

James has plenty of upside with his low-90s fastball and hard curve. He has a ways to go from a command standpoint, but he was a nice choice at No. 18. On potential alone, he ranked as the top high school lefty in the draft.

James was the No. 18 pick in June’s first-year player draft. He gets a $1.7 million signing bonus, nearly $300,000 above the slot recommendation. With a low-90s fastball to go along with the makings of a plus-curveball, the 18-year-old Sooner was widely regarded as the best high school southpaw in the draft.

James was the 18th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, but he’s not really a prospect anymore at age 24. The left-hander had an underwhelming 1.36 WHIP and 35/22 K/BB ratio in 42 2/3 innings last season for the Rangers’ High-A Myrtle Beach affiliate.