• Full name James Jacob Nelson
  • Born 06/05/1989 in Klamath Falls, OR
  • Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Alabama
  • Debut 09/06/2013
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (64th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 (signed for $570,600).
    View Draft Report
    Nelson emerged as the Crimson Tide's top prospect, surpassing middle infielders Josh Rutledge and preseason All-American Ross Wilson. He has the size (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) and hard, heavy fastball to profile as a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Nelson has had an inconsistent career as he's honed his mechanics, and an inconsistent junior season, peaking with strong starts against Kentucky early in the season and with a complete-game gem against Mississippi in mid-May. The latter start was key, as many scouts weren't sure he wanted the ball in big-game situations. Nelson can run his fastball up to 95-96 mph at times, and he has learned to rely more on movement and less on velocity. When his fastball is in the 88-93 range, it has natural, hard sink. He complements it with an 80-84 mph power breaking ball that scouts call a slider, as at times it has some depth. At his best, both pitches grade out as above-average. His changeup remains below-average but has its moments, and he tosses in a curve from time to time that some scouts believe suits his arm slot better than the slider. Nelson's arm action is decent, but he still loses his release point from time to time and struggles to throw strikes. He has improved his mound demeanor and has matured so that fielding miscues or a lack of run support don't disrupt his rhythm as often. He failed in a try as a closer last season, and some evaluators believe being in a rotation suits him better. Teams that like him as a starter will be tempted starting in the second round, and he finished the regular season strong.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Pacific Coast League in 2014
  • Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Pacific Coast League in 2014
  • Rated Best Slider in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012

Scouting Reports

Career Transactions

  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to ACL Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to ACL Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to ACL Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Jimmy Nelson on the 60-day injured list. Right elbow inflammation.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jimmy Nelson on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Jimmy Nelson on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 27, 2023. Right elbow inflammation.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RHP Jimmy Nelson.

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