James McCann (baseball)

James McCann

McCann with the Gulf Coast Tigers
Detroit Tigers – No. 34
Catcher
Born: June 13, 1990
Santa Barbara, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2014 for the Detroit Tigers
Career statistics
(through April 30, 2015)
Batting average .255
Home runs 1
RBI 5
Teams
Medal record
Men's baseball
Competitor for  United States
Pan American Games
Silver 2011 Guadalajara National team

James Thomas McCann (born June 13, 1990) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Arkansas. McCann has also competed for the United States national baseball team.

Amateur career

McCann, attended Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California. Out of high school, the Chicago White Sox drafted McCann in the 31st round (930th overall) of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, but he did not sign, opting to attend college. McCann enrolled at the University of Arkansas, where he played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team in the Southeastern Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I. In his junior season, McCann had a .306 batting average, six home runs, 14 doubles, 11 stolen bases, 38 runs batted in (RBIs) and 35 runs scored in 61 games played.[1] McCann was a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award, presented to the best catcher in NCAA's Division I.[1]

McCann played for the United States national baseball team in the 2011 Baseball World Cup and the 2011 Pan American Games,[2] winning the silver medal.[3]

Professional career

Minor league career

The Detroit Tigers selected McCann in the second round, with the 76th overall selection, of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. He was Detroit's first selection of the draft, and the first of four catchers the team selected.[1][4] He signed with the Tigers and made his professional debut in 2011, playing five games with the Gulf Coast Tigers of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before being promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Class A Midwest League.[4]

The Tigers invited McCann to spring training in 2012.[5] He began the 2012 season with the Lakeland Tigers of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, and received a promotion to the Erie SeaWolves of the Class AA Eastern League on June 6,[6] though be batted only .200 for Erie. After adjusting his offensive approach, McCann responded with a .283 average through July 14 of the 2013 season, and appeared in the All-Star Futures Game.[7] He ended the season with a .277 average, eight home runs, 30 doubles, 54 runs batted in (RBIs), and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .731.[8]

McCann began the 2014 season with the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League. McCann finished the season with the Mud Hens batting .295 with seven home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .770 OPS.

Major League Baseball

On September 1, 2014, McCann was called up by the Detroit Tigers.[9] He made his major league debut that day in the bottom of the ninth inning, replacing catcher Alex Avila.[10] McCann got his first major league start on September 19, 2014, catching for Justin Verlander against the Kansas City Royals. McCann had two hits (both to center field), a stolen base, and scored twice.[11]

In Spring Training 2015, McCann competed with Bryan Holaday to be the backup catcher behind Avila. McCann won the competition.[12] He hit his first major league home run, an inside-the-park home run, on April 29, 2015.[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 AP Photo (June 7, 2011). "Tigers pass on highly touted prep stars, select Arkansas catcher James McCann with their first pick". MLive. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  2. ↑ Heck, David (October 20, 2011). "Mendonca plates six in Team USA rout". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ Emrich, Robert (October 26, 2011). "Van Ostrand, Canada take Pan Am gold". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 AP Photo (August 20, 2011). "Detroit Tigers top draft pick James McCann joins Whitecaps as homestand begins". MLive. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  5. ↑ Beck, Jason. "Castellanos heads list of Tigers' Spring invites". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Detroit Tigers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  7. ↑ Beck, Jason (July 14, 2013). "Futures reps Lennerton, McCann proud of progress". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  8. ↑ Beck, Jason (October 30, 2013). "Brayan Pena told he won’t be back with Tigers". Beck.mlblogs.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  9. ↑ Iott, Chris (August 31, 2014). "Steven Moya, James McCann among seven players Detroit Tigers will add to roster this week". MLive. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  10. ↑ Iott, Chris (September 1, 2014). "Tigers 12, Indians 1: Miguel Cabrera has two home runs, four hits in rout of Cleveland". MLive. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  11. ↑ Footer, Alyson (September 20, 2014). "McCann catches on quick with first MLB hits". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  12. ↑ Sipple, George (March 31, 2015). "Tigers' McCann thrilled, Holaday bummed after cuts". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  13. ↑ Associated Press (April 29, 2015). "Cabrera powers Tigers past Twins 10-7 after Hughes gets hurt". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2015.

External links