Jim MacDonald

James Wilson MacDonald

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
• High School Woodsville High School

• Born February 6, 1959 in St. Johnsbury, VT USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Jim MacDonald played in the Houston Astros system from 1977 to 1983. He spent a full season and part of another at Triple-A, but never ascended to the majors.

He was originally taken by the Astros in the 6th round of the 1977 amateur draft, a couple picks ahead of pitcher Brent Gaff. In his first year, with the GCL Astros, the 18-year-old went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA in 11 games (7 starts). He slipped to 8-16 with 10 complete games and a 3.84 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) for the Daytona Beach Astros in 1978, but rebounded to go 10-10, 3.48 in 26 games (25 starts) between two clubs in 1979. Pitching for the Columbus Astros in 1980, MacDonald went 17-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts (leading the Southern League in wins), then he went 11-16 with a 4.92 mark in his first year at Triple-A, with the Tucson Toros; he completed 15 of his 28 starts to lead the Pacific Coast League in CGs (tied with Rich Bordi). He also led the league in losses, starts, innings pitched (192) and hits allowed (242). In 1982, back with Columbus, he was 11-7 with 10 complete games and a 3.23 mark in 24 games (20 starts) and in 1983, to wrap up his career, he went 5-10, 3.77 in 37 games (15 starts) between two clubs. The Astros released MacDonald after the 1983 season. [1] He signed on with the Atlanta Braves and went to Spring Training in 1984, before being assigned to the Richmond Braves [2]. He was then re-assigned to the Greenville Braves [3] and then released before appearing in a game.

Overall, MacDonald went 68-67 with 59 complete games and a 3.80 ERA in 182 games (149 starts) over 7 seasons. In 1,051 2/3 innings, he allowed 1,129 hits and 335 walks (1.392 WHIP), while striking out 545 batters. At Triple-A, he was 12-20 with a 4.89 ERA in 39 games (32 starts).