The New York Yankees selected UCLA pitcher James Kaprielian with the 16th choice of the first round in the 2015 amateur draft. As a high school senior, he was also picked by the Seattle Mariners, but opted to attend college instead.
He debuted in the GCL Yankees 2 in 2015, allowing four runs in two and a third innings to get his feet wet before being moved to the Staten Island Yankees of the NY-Penn League.
He went 0-1, but the Yankees didn’t want him to pitch too much after a complete college season, so he threw just 9 innings in three starts.
As the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect after the season, he was regarded to be on a fast road to the big leagues, despite his little playing experience this year.
The Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League had him on the disabled list for three outings in 2016, with a strained flexor tendon.
Tommy John surgery in April of that year put an end to his career for a second time, but he made seven starts and threw 27 innings in the Arizona Fall League that year.
He was dealt to the Oakland Athletics on July 31st for pitcher Sonny Gray, along with two other prospects. Dustin Fowler, another of Oakland’s prospects, was recovering from a season-ending injury at the time of his transfer.
How Tall Is James Kaprielian?
James Kaprielian stands at a height of 1.91 m.