James McCann (baseball)

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James McCann
James McCann (19594761214).jpg
McCann with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers – No. 34
Catcher
Born: (1990-06-13) June 13, 1990 (age 34)
Santa Barbara, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2014, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through May 21, 2016)
Batting average .251
Home runs 8
Runs batted in 48
Teams
Medal record
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 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

McCann batting for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, advanced-A affiliates of the Tigers, in 2012

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 batting for the Erie SeaWolves, double-A affiliates of the Tigers, in 2013

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] On May 21, 2015, he hit his first conventional home run, a walk-off in the 11th inning to give the Tigers a 6–5 victory over the Houston Astros. McCann became the first MLB player to hit an inside-the-park home run and a walk-off home run for his first two career home runs since Tim Raines in 1981.[14][15] On June 28, 2015, McCann hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Tigers a 5–4 victory over the Chicago White Sox. McCann became the first MLB player to hit an inside-the-park home run and two walk-off home runs for his first three career home runs since Tony Piet in 1932.[16]

McCann set the modern major league record for the number of consecutive games played at catcher to start a career without an error, surpassing the previous record of 93 set by Frankie Pytlak from 1932 to 1934.[17] McCann finished the 2015 season with no errors in 112 games to lead all MLB catchers in fielding percentage. He became the sixth catcher in major league history to catch at least 100 games in a season without committing an error, following Chris Iannetta and Chris Snyder in 2008, Mike Matheny in 2003, Charles Johnson in 1997 and Buddy Rosar in 1946.[18]

McCann was named the 2015 Detroit Tigers/Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year. He finished the 2015 season with a .264 average (106-for-401), 18 doubles, five triples, seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 114 games. His 29 multi-hit games ranked fourth among American League rookies.[19]

On April 11, 2016, McCann suffered a Grade 2 right ankle sprain and was placed on the disabled list.[20] Manager Ausmus expects a quick return and cited McCann's quick healing ability [21]

Personal life

McCann and his wife, Jessica, were married in November 2014. They reside in Fayetteville, Arkansas.[22]

References

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  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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