Once upon a time Chuck James was a top prospect in the Braves’ system, posting great numbers in the minors before debuting in September of 2005.
He joined Atlanta’s rotation the next season at age 24 and posted a 4.05 ERA with a 207/105 K/BB ratio in 280 innings over two years before blowing out his shoulder. He missed most of 2008 and all of 2009 following rotator cuff and labrum surgery, returning as a Triple-A reliever for the Nationals last season.
He pitched well with a 2.32 ERA and 69/11 K/BB ratio in 66 innings, signed with the Twins this winter, and forced them to call him up by throwing 29 innings with a 1.57 ERA and 37/9 K/BB ratio out of the Triple-A bullpen. James’ raw stuff doesn’t match those numbers, but even while succeeding as a mid-rotation starter in Atlanta his average fastball was just 88 mph and with 106 strikeouts in 95 innings since returning he’s missed bats without overpowering hitters.
Minnesota’s bullpen is such a mess that a handful of decent outings could get James a late-inning role.
