James Kaprielian

James Douglas Kaprielian (born March 2, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins, and was drafted by the New York Yankees with the 16th pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.

James Kaprielian
Oakland Athletics – No. 56
Pitcher
Born: (1994-03-02) March 2, 1994
Laguna Hills, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 16, 2020, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average7.36
Strikeouts4
Teams

Amateur career

Kaprielian attended Arnold O. Beckman High School in Irvine, California. During his career he went 33–3 with a 0.96 earned run average (ERA) and 250 strikeouts.[1] He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 40th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He did not sign with the Mariners and enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college baseball for the UCLA Bruins.[2][3] As a freshman in 2013, Kaprielian appeared in 34 games as a relief pitcher, recording a 1.55 ERA with 53 strikeouts.[4] In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, and was named a league all-star.[5] As a sophomore, he was converted into a starter. He started 15 games, going 7–6 with a 2.29 ERA and 108 strikeouts.[6]

On May 15, 2015, Kaprielian combined with David Berg for the first no-hitter in UCLA history. Kaprielian pitched the first nine innings and Berg pitched the tenth inning to complete the no-hitter.[7]

Professional career

New York Yankees

Kaprielian was considered one of the top prospects for the 2015 MLB draft, and was selected by the New York Yankees in the first round, with the 16th overall selection.[8] He signed with the Yankees, receiving a $2.65 million signing bonus,[9] and spent his first professional season with both the GCL Yankees and Staten Island Yankees, posting a combined 0-1 record and 3.97 ERA in ​11 1⁄3 total innings between both teams.[10]

Kaprielian received a non-roster invitation to spring training in 2016.[11][12] He began the season with the Tampa Yankees,[13] but only played in three games due to an elbow injury.

In 2017, Kaprielian's elbow discomfort began to persist, and he began the season on the disabled list. On April 13, 2017, it was revealed that Kapielian would undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, putting him away for the year.[14]

Oakland Athletics

On July 31, 2017, the Yankees traded Kaprielian to the Oakland Athletics, along with fellow prospects Jorge Mateo and Dustin Fowler, for Sonny Gray.[15] The Athletics added him to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[16]

On May 19, 2019, Kaprielian made his debut at High-A Stockton. He accumulated a 4.46 ERA in 36.1 innings with a 43:8 K-to-BB ratio before the Athletics promoted him to Double-A Midland on July 23.[17]

On August 16, 2020, Kaprielian made his MLB debut with two innings against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed a home run to the first batter he faced, Brandon Crawford, and struck out one. [18]

Personal life

Kaprielian's mother, Barbara Kaprielian, died of breast cancer in 2014 after her 14-year battle.[19]

Kaprielian is of Armenian descent.

References
  1. "All-city MVP Kaprielian a pitcher to remember". The Orange County Register. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  2. Sondheimer, Eric (May 10, 2012). "UCLA gets Beckman pitcher James Kaprielian to switch loyalties". latimes. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  3. "Kaprielian adjusting to new role with UCLA". The Orange County Register. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  4. "Coach's eyes were on UCLA pitcher James Kaprielian". The Orange County Register. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  5. "Eastern Division Playoffs: Chatham advances; Orleans stays alive". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  6. Los Angeles Times (February 12, 2015). "College baseball preview: UCLA seeks to rebound from last year". latimes.com. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  7. "James Kaprielian and David Berg Combine for First UCLA No-Hitter". uclabruins.com. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  8. "Yankees draft UCLA pitcher James Kaprielian with 16th pick". Newsday. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  9. Martin, Dan (July 15, 2015). "Yankees go over slot to sign first-rounder James Kaprielian". New York Post.
  10. "James Kaprielian Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  11. "Why the name James Kaprielian represents the new Yankee way". New York Post. March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  12. "New York Yankees grooming pitcher Kaprielian as leader - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  13. "James Kaprielian shines in minor league season debut". lohud.com. April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  14. Trezza, Joe. "Surgery set for Yanks prospect James Kaprielian". MLB. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  15. Trezza, Joe (July 31, 2017). "Yankees get Gray from A's for 3 prospects". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  16. https://www.mlb.com/news/athletics-acquire-anderson-ahead-of-rule-5/c-300997596
  17. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-james-kaprielian-moves-up-to-double-a/
  18. Martin Gallegos (August 16, 2020). "A's romp past Giants for Bay Bridge sweep". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  19. "Educator, Beckman booster Barbara Kaprielian loses cancer fight". The Orange County Register. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
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