James Marvel

James Michael Marvel (born September 17, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

James Marvel
Marvel with the Indianapolis Indians in 2021
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1993-09-17) September 17, 1993 (age 30) San Francisco, California, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 8, 2019, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
NPB: July 16, 2023, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
MLB statistics (through 2019 season)
Win–loss record	0–3
Earned run average	8.31
Strikeouts	9
NPB statistics (through 2023 season)
Win–loss record	2-2
Earned run average	2.49
Strikeouts	12
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (2019) Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2023)

Amateur career

Marvel attended Campolindo High School in Moraga, California, where he played baseball.^[1] In 2012, his senior year, he went 5–2 with a 1.33 ERA along with batting .456 with three home runs,^[2] earning All-State honors.^[3] He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 37th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and instead enrolled at Duke University where he played college baseball for the Blue Devils.

In 2013, Marvel's freshman year at Duke, he appeared in ten games (eight starts) in which he went 4–2 with a 3.64 ERA in 42 innings. In 2014, he appeared in only four games due to an elbow injury, and in 2015, he did not play at all.^[4] Despite this, he was still drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 36th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.^[5]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Marvel signed with the Pirates and made his professional debut with the West Virginia Black Bears, going 4–6 with a 4.43 ERA in 13 starts.^[6][7] In 2017, he began the season with the West Virginia Power before being promoted to the Bradenton Marauders in August; in 24 starts between the two clubs, Marvel went 7–8 with a 3.49 ERA, striking out 91 batters in 118+2⁄3 innings.

In 2018, he pitched for both Bradenton and the Altoona Curve, compiling a 12–7 record and 3.55 ERA in 27 games (26 starts), and in 2019, he began the year with Altoona (with whom he was named an Eastern League All-Star) before being promoted to the Indianapolis Indians in July.^[8][9] Over 28 starts between the two clubs during the 2019 season, Marvel went 16–5 with a 2.94 ERA, striking out 136 over 162+1⁄3 innings.^{[10][11][12][13]} His 16 wins and two shutouts both led the minor leagues in 2019.^[14]

On September 8, 2019, the Pirates selected Marvel's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.^[15] He made his major league debut that day versus the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing two runs over five innings pitched.^[16] Marvel did not appear in a game in 2020, and spent all of the 2021 season with the Indians, going 7-7 with a 5.26 ERA and 98 strikeouts over 131+2⁄3 innings. He elected free agency on November 7, 2021.

Philadelphia Phillies

On March 8, 2022, Marvel signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.^[17] Marvel made 35 appearances (9 starts) for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, registering a 6-7 record and 6.05 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 93.2 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.^[18]

High Point Rockers

On April 28, 2023, Marvel signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.^[19] He made 1 start for the team, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk with 3 strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched.

Texas Rangers

On May 7, 2023, Marvel signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.^[20] In 6 starts for the Triple–A Round Rock Express, he struggled to a 7.88 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 24.0 innings pitched. Marvel was released by the Rangers on June 11.^[21]

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

On June 19, 2023, Marvel signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).^[22] In 8 games for the Fighters, he registered a 2.49 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 21+2⁄3 innings of work. Marvel became a free agent following the 2023 season.^[23]

References

1. "East Bay baseball player of the year: Campolindo's James Marvel". June 26, 2012.
2. "Mr. Baseball Player of the Year Finalists – ESPNHS California". ESPN. June 7, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
3. "All-State Baseball: First Team". ESPN.com. July 3, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
4. Hertzel, Bob (June 18, 2016). "Hertzel Column: Marvel overcomes injury to reach professional ranks | Sports". timeswv.com. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
5. "Duke in the Pros: Six Blue Devils Taken in MLB Draft". Duke University. June 11, 2015.
6. "Black Bears pitcher Marvel set for pro debut | Black Bears". wvnews.com. June 17, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
7. "WV Power open season tonight: Wilson vs. Marvel at 7:05 p.m." April 6, 2017.
8. "Curve sending three players to 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game | Curve". Milb.com. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
9. Accettulla, Kevin (July 1, 2019). "Curve's James Marvel called up to Triple-A". Wearecentralpa.com. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
10. Schaeffer, Brenden. "Series Preview: Cardinals clash with the Pirates in Pittsburgh". KMOV.com.
11. "Pirates hoping Marvel can live up to his name". MLB.com.
12. "Pirates on the verge of rewarding James Marvel for terrific season". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
13. "Pitcher James Marvel joins Pirates, reflects on 'unique, special' journey | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. September 5, 2019.
14. "2019 Register Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
15. "James Marvel to make MLB debut with Pirates on Sunday". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
16. Jason Mackey (September 8, 2019). "'He was pitching': James Marvel impresses in MLB debut". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
17. "Phillies Sign Justin Williams, Four Others To Minor League Deals". MLBTradeRumors.com. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
18. "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
19. "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions".
20. "Transactions".
21. "Transactions".
22. "NPB Import Players: Foreign Players Currently Playing in Japan". japanball.com. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
23. https://x.com/npb_reddit/status/1706117787704562060?s=46&t=UN5XGiNzRq3-vt33N7zCTw

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Duke Blue Devils bio