James McArthur

From BR Bullpen

James Leonard McArthur

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Biographical Information[edit]

Pitcher James McArthur made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals midway through the 2023 season. He had been drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 12th round of the 2018 amateur draft, out of the University of Mississippi. A few weeks before his debut, on May 8th, he had been traded to the Royals in return for minor league OF Junior Marin after having been designated for assignment in order to clear roster space for Jeff Hoffman in a deal that went completely under the radar.

McArthur pitched well after his call-up, although he shuttled between Kansas City and their AAA affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers, a few times, going 1-0, 4.63 in 18 games, including 2 starts, picking up 4 saves and striking out 23 batters against just 2 walks in 23 1/3 innings. With Omaha, he went 2-1, 3.98 with 1 save in 23 games, but with an even better strikeout rate - 57 in 40 2/3 innings. He had been generally unremarkable in the Phillies' system, alternating between the starting rotation and the bullpen and putting up ERA's in the low 4.00 range, the sort of statistics that a useful pitcher who is not considered a prospect will tend to put up. He had been placed on the Phils' 40-man roster after the 2021 season, but had missed much of 2022 with an injury and a 7.31 ERA with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs before being acquired by the Royals in 2023. But the Royals' brass were convinced that he could become an effective reliever if he could add a slider to his repertoire to complement his curveball, and this is exactly what happened.

In 2024, the Royals decided to make McArthur their closer at the start of the season, motivated by his strikeout numbers the previous year. It turned out to be an inspired move as the unheralded pitcher had a great first month, coinciding with the Royals as a team doing so as well, going 1-0, 2.63 with 7 saves in March and April, with a 15/2 K/W ratio in 13 2/3 innings.

Further Reading[edit]

  • Anne Rogers: "After career 180, McArthur making good on Royals' trust", mlb.com, May 2, 2024. [1]

Related Sites[edit]

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