Jim Benedict

James Scott Benedict

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 185 lb.

• School Arizona State University, LA Valley Community College

• Born February 1, 1961 in Burbank, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Jim Benedict reached AA as a player then became a college coach and scout.

Benedict was taken by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the January 1982 draft and by the New York Mets in the third round of the 1982 June draft's secondary phase, both times out of junior college. He went on to ASU and signed with the Kansas City Royals as an undrafted free agent. He split 1984 between the Fort Myers Royals (5-1, 7 Sv, 1.27) and Memphis Chicks (5-3, 5 Sv, 2.54). He tied Craig Walter for the most saves by a Royals farmhand that season.

In 1985, Jim was 6-8 with 15 saves and a 3.26 ERA out of Memphis's bullpen, control being his biggest problem (37 BB in 66 1/3 IP). He tied Rich Bombard for fourth in the Southern League in saves. In '86, the right-hander was with Memphis and the Greenville Braves, going a combined 2-3 with 3 saves and a 2.98 ERA in 36 games to end his playing career. He had gone 18-15 with 30 saves and a 2.66 ERA in 127 games as a pro.

In 1987, Benedict served as the head coach of LA Valley Community College. He was pitching coach for Loyola Marymount University and Chapman College the next two years. In 1990, he joined the Texas Rangers as a scout. He was pitching coach of the Butte Copper Kings in 1991 and Erie Sailors in 1993, and served as Minor League Pitching Coordinator for the Montréal Expos (1994-1998) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2000). From 2001-2006, he was a Professional Scout for the New York Yankees and Special Assistant to the GM. In 2007-2008, he was a Major League Scout and Advance Scout for the Cleveland Indians. In late 2008, he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates as Special Assistant to the GM.

Source: 2012 Pirates Media Guide