James Barksdale (minors02)

James David Barksdale

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 10", Weight 173 lb.

• School University of North Alabama
• High School Coffee High School

• Born May 7, 1985 in Birmingham, AL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

James Barksdale played three seasons in A ball.

Barksdale hit .436 as a college junior, with 59 steals in 69 attempts. He set the Gulf South Conference record for career triples (17) and made All-Conference. The Pittsburgh Pirates, behind scout Darren Mazeroski, picked him in the 15th round of the 2006 amateur draft. He made his pro debut with the Williamsport Crosscutters, hitting .209/.235/.222 as their main center fielder and not showing the same speed (8 SB, 5 CS, 0 3B) he had displayed in college. In 2007, he batted .324/.346/.392 in 29 games for the State College Spikes, going 11-for-14 in steal attempts. He ended up with the 2008 Lynchburg Hillcats, hitting .236/.275/.315 and stealing 12 bases in 23 tries, primarily backing up Alex Presley in center field. He also pitched, allowing 5 runs in 1 1/3 IP. For his pro career, the Birmingham native had batted .242/.273/.292 with 99 strikeouts in 397 at-bats, 52 runs and 31 RBI in 133 games. He stole 31 bases in 50 tries and had 8 doubles, 6 triples and no homers. He fielded .984.

Sources include 2009 Pirates Media Guide