Chad James

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #26 prospect in 2013
  The 18th overall pick in the 2009 draft, James has notched double-digit losses in each of his three seasons since signing for $1.7 million. His 2012 season ended in late August when he was suspended for a violation of team policies. His fastball, which once sat at 95 mph, now runs 90-93 mph. He gets nice downward action on his slurvy slider, which has the potential to be an average or better pitch. He'll also throw a big, loopy curve. His straight changeup is good at times but lacks consistency, which could be said for all of his pitches as well as his delivery. James fails to repeat his mechanics, and when he gets moving side to side he loses downhill tilt, his pitches flatten out and hitters have little difficulty seeing the ball. His command is poor and he has particular trouble throwing his secondary pitches for strikes. James needs to field his position better and make strides controlling the running game. When he reported last spring, it was clear he hadn't put much effort into his offseason conditioning, a mistake he vowed not to repeat this winter. James has flashed the stuff to be an effective mid-rotation starter, but his commitment to the game will determine whether he reaches that ceiling.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #6 prospect in 2012
  James signed for $1.7 million at the deadline after being selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2009 draft. After going 5-10 at Greensboro in his pro debut, he began 2011 0-13 before winning five of his final seven decisions. His older brother Justin pitched briefly with the 2010 Athletics. After touching 95 mph in low Class A, James' fastball backed up in 2011, ranging from 90-93 mph early in the season and down to 89-91 by the end. The heat and humidity in the Florida State League may have worn him down, and he also sacrificed velocity in an effort to gain more consistency with his delivery and command. His curveball was so unreliable that the Marlins took it away and asked him to focus on his slider, which he locates better. They also asked him to throw his straight changeup more frequently. As a result, he often pitched backward, a learning strategy that contributed to his ups and downs. He committed six errors in 27 starts and needs to field his position better. It's time for James to put everything together and apply the lessons he learned in 2011. Whether his fastball returns will determine if he can reach his ceiling as a mid-rotation starter.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #2 prospect in 2011
  James has been the Marlins' top-rated pitching prospect since signing for $1.7 million as the 18th overall pick in the 2009 draft. He made his pro debut in low Class A last year, struggling at times but also showing plenty of upside. His brother Justin is a righthander in the Brewers system. Lefthanders with plus fastballs are always intriguing, and James throws his at 91-95 mph. But what makes him special is his power breaking ball, which comes in with slider velocity and breaks down and hard like a curveball. He also flashes a plus changeup, though it's inconsistent and needs to be utilized more frequently. While James got himself into trouble with walks in 2010, his problems came more from nibbling and not trusting his stuff rather than a true lack of control. He pitched behind in the count too often, allowing hitters to sit on his fastball. His mechanics sometimes go awry, with him clearing his lead arm too quickly or landing too upright. He's slow to the plate and needs to learn a slide step after giving up 33 steals in 24 starts. His arsenal makes him a potential No. 2 starter, but it will be a couple of years before Florida can pencil James in behind Josh Johnson. He should open 2011 at high Class A Jupiter and could move quickly if he starts challenging hitters.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #3 prospect in 2010
  Entering his senior season in high school, James got serious about his conditioning and the reward was his selection as the 18th overall pick in the 2009 draft. The latest Oklahoma product to hit the radar of Oklahoma-based Marlins scouting officials Jim Fleming and Stan Meek, he signed at the deadline for $1.7 million. His older brother Justin was a Blue Jays fifth-round pick in 2003. In addition to firming up his frame, James improved his fastball from the high 80s to 90-92 mph, and he can touch 95. His highly developed changeup was one of the best in the nation's prep class. His curveball went from mediocre as a junior to close to a plus pitch at times. A strong athlete with solid makeup, he's willing to learn. Like many young pitchers, James still has some minor delivery issues he needs to iron out. His curveball can get sharper and he needs to throw his changeup more often. James should make his pro debut at low Class A Greensboro, which won't be all that easy considering NewBridge Bank Park's well-earned reputation as a bandbox. The Marlins could be conservative and hold him back in extended spring training, but that seems unnecessary considering his physicality and advanced repertoire.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked South Atlantic League #10 prospect in 2010
  The 18th overall pick in the 2009 draft, James brings a lot to the mound. His fastball resides at 91-95 mph, setting up a plus changeup with excellent fade and depth. He also has a hard slider with some sharpness that could give him a third above-average pitch. All of his offerings have heavy sink, which is why James allowed just three homers despite pitching his home games in the bandbox that is NewBridge Bank Park. He loses focus on occasion and doesn't always attack hitters, which is why he got knocked around more than someone with his stuff should. "He's got a great frame and he has power stuff," Haines said. "He's a strike-thrower with a quick arm. Early on he gave hitters too much credit and it cost him. He just needs to pitch, and I believe once he does he's going to be a front-of-the-rotation guy in the big leagues."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #78 prospect in 2010

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: James signed for $1.7 million at the deadline after being selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2009 draft. After going 5-10 at Greensboro in his pro debut, he began 2011 with a 0-13 record before winning five of his final seven decisions. His older brother Justin pitched briefly with the 2010 Athletics. Scouting Report: After touching 95 mph in low Class A, James saw his fastball back up in 2011, ranging from 90-93 mph early in the season and down to 89-91 by the end. The heat and humidity of the Florida State League may have worn him down, and he also sacrificed velocity in an effort to gain more consistency with his delivery and command. His curveball was so unreliable that the Marlins took it away and asked him to focus on his slider, which he locates better. They also asked him to throw his straight changeup more frequently. As a result, he often pitched backward, which will help him in the long run but contributed to his ups and downs in 2011. He committed six errors in 27 starts and needs to field his position better. The Future: It's time for James to put everything together and apply the lessons he learned in 2011. Whether his fastball returns will determine if his ceiling is as a No. 2 starter or mid-rotation option.