James Kaprielian

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = James Kaprielian

|image = File:James Kaprielian.jpg

|caption = Kaprielian with the UCLA Bruins in 2015

|team = Free agent

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|3|2}}

|birth_place = Laguna Hills, California, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 16

|debutyear = 2020

|debutteam = Oakland Athletics

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2023 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 15–20

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.61

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 282

|teams =

Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2023}})

}}

James Douglas Kaprielian ({{IPA|/kəˈprɪl.i.ən/}}; born March 2, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins, and was drafted by the New York Yankees with the 16th pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.

Amateur career

Kaprielian attended Arnold O. Beckman High School in Irvine, California. During his career he went 33–3 with a 0.96 earned run average (ERA) and 250 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/kaprielian-359773-team-year.html|title=All-city MVP Kaprielian a pitcher to remember|work=The Orange County Register|date=June 19, 2012|access-date=June 9, 2015}} He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 40th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He did not sign with the Mariners and enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college baseball for the UCLA Bruins.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2012-may-10-la-sp-0511-sondheimer-kaprielian-20120511-story.html|title=UCLA gets Beckman pitcher James Kaprielian to switch loyalties|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 9, 2015|first=Eric|last=Sondheimer|date=May 10, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/kaprielian-502983-good-really.html|title=Kaprielian adjusting to new role with UCLA|work=The Orange County Register|date=April 5, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2015}} As a freshman in 2013, Kaprielian appeared in 34 games as a relief pitcher, recording a 1.55 ERA with 53 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lavalle-514666-james-kaprielian.html|title=Coach's eyes were on UCLA pitcher James Kaprielian|work=The Orange County Register|date=June 26, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2015}} In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, and was named a league all-star.{{cite web |title=Eastern Division Playoffs: Chatham advances; Orleans stays alive |url=http://www.capecodbaseball.org/news/season/?article_id=1605 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024025343/http://www.capecodbaseball.org/news/season/?article_id=1605 |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2019 |publisher=capecodbaseball.org}}{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=470565&seasonid=21954 |title=#11 James Kaprielian |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}} As a sophomore, he was converted into a starter. He started 15 games, going 7–6 with a 2.29 ERA and 108 strikeouts.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-college-baseball-20150213-story.html|title=College baseball preview: UCLA seeks to rebound from last year|author=Los Angeles Times|date=February 12, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 9, 2015}}

On May 15, 2015, Kaprielian combined with David Berg for the first no-hitter in UCLA history. Kaprielian pitched the first nine innings and Berg pitched the tenth inning to complete the no-hitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210092305&DB_OEM_ID=30500|title=James Kaprielian and David Berg Combine for First UCLA No-Hitter|work=uclabruins.com|access-date=June 9, 2015}}

Professional career

=New York Yankees=

Kaprielian was considered one of the top prospects for the 2015 MLB draft, and was selected by the New York Yankees in the first round, with the 16th overall selection.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2015 |title=Yankees draft UCLA pitcher James Kaprielian with 16th pick |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-draft-ucla-pitcher-james-kaprielian-with-16th-pick-m66938 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=Newsday |language=en}} He signed with the Yankees, receiving a $2.65 million signing bonus,{{cite news| url=https://nypost.com/2015/07/15/yankees-go-over-slot-to-sign-first-rounder-james-kaprielian/ | work=New York Post | first=Dan | last=Martin | title=Yankees go over slot to sign first-rounder James Kaprielian | date=July 15, 2015}} and spent his first professional season with both the GCL Yankees and Staten Island Yankees, posting a combined 0–1 record and 3.97 ERA in {{frac|11|1|3}} total innings between both teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/james-kaprielian-621076|title=James Kaprielian Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=February 19, 2018}}

Kaprielian received a non-roster invitation to spring training in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2016/03/04/why-the-name-james-kaprielian-represents-the-new-yankee-way/|title=Why the name James Kaprielian represents the new Yankee way|date=March 4, 2016|work=New York Post|access-date=April 26, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Dykstra |first=Sam |title=New York Yankees grooming pitcher Kaprielian as leader – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-166504448 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410034255/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20160307&content_id=166504448&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |access-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=live |work=Minor League Baseball}} He began the season with the Tampa Yankees,{{cite web|url=http://www.lohud.com/story/sports/mlb/lohud-yankees/2016/04/12/james-kaprielian-shines-minor-league-season-debut/82953364/|title=James Kaprielian shines in minor league season debut|date=April 12, 2016|work=lohud.com|access-date=April 26, 2016}} but only played in three games due to an injured flexor tendon in his right elbow.{{Cite web |last=Kraft |first=Alex |title=Healthy Kaprielian could see Majors in '17 |url=https://www.milb.com/news/if-healthy-new-york-yankees-prospect-james-kaprielian-could-reach-majo-215784786 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}}

Heading into the 2017 season, Kaprielian was considered the 58th best prospect in MLB.{{Cite web |title=Top 100 Baseball Prospects |url=https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2017/top100 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} His elbow discomfort persisted, and he began the season on the disabled list.{{Cite web |last=Dykstra |first=Sam |title=Yankees' Kaprielian to start season on DL |url=https://www.milb.com/news/new-york-yankees-prospect-james-kaprielian-to-start-season-on-disabled-222644100 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}} On April 18, 2017, he underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, ending his season.{{Cite web |last=Hotch |first=Bryan |title=Surgery set for Yanks prospect Kaprielian |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/james-kaprielian-will-have-tommy-john-surgery-c224044904 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On July 31, 2017, the Yankees traded Kaprielian to the Oakland Athletics, along with fellow prospects Jorge Mateo and Dustin Fowler, in exchange for Sonny Gray.{{cite web|url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/245551258/yankees-get-sonny-gray-in-trade-with-oakland/?topicId=27118390|title=Yankees get Gray from A's for 3 prospects|last=Trezza|first=Joe|work=MLB.com|date=July 31, 2017|access-date=July 31, 2017|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803014324/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/245551258/yankees-get-sonny-gray-in-trade-with-oakland/?topicId=27118390|url-status=dead}} He did not appear for the organization during the 2017 or 2018 seasons.

On November 20, 2018, the Athletics added Kaprielian to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/athletics-acquire-anderson-ahead-of-rule-5/c-300997596|title = A's acquire Bucs righty, add 4 to 40-man roster| website=MLB.com }} Kaprielian made his debut with the High-A Stockton Ports on May 19, 2019. He accumulated a 4.46 ERA in {{frac|36|1|3}} innings with a 43:8 K-to-BB ratio before the Athletics promoted him to the Double-A Midland RockHounds on July 23.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-james-kaprielian-moves-up-to-double-a/|title=Athletics' James Kaprielian: Moves up to Double-A}} He was promoted again to Triple-A at the end of August.{{Cite web |last=Lockard |first=Melissa |title=September call-ups: A new era for the A's with Sean Murphy and a chance at redemption for the Giants' Chris Shaw |url=https://theathletic.com/1177112/2019/09/01/september-call-ups-a-new-era-for-the-as-with-sean-murphy-and-a-chance-at-redemption-for-the-giants-chris-shaw/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}

On August 16, 2020, Kaprielian made his MLB debut with two innings against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed a home run to the first batter he faced, Brandon Crawford, and struck out one.{{ cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/stephen-piscotty-homers-in-a-s-9-run-5th-inning | title=A's romp past Giants for Bay Bridge sweep | work=MLB.com | author=Martin Gallegos | date=August 16, 2020 | access-date=August 19, 2020 }} He spent most of the season at the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose and only pitched in two games of mop-up duty with the Athletics, allowing three runs in {{frac|3|2|3}} innings of work.

On May 12, 2021, injuries in the rotation led to Kaprielian receiving a call-up to make his first MLB start at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.{{Cite web |title=Poteet, Kaprielian to Make First MLB Starts on Wednesday |url=https://uclabruins.com/news/2021/5/12/baseball-poteet-kaprielian-to-make-first-mlb-starts-on-wednesday |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=UCLA |language=en}} With his father and uncle in attendance, Kaprielian was rewarded with the win, allowing one run in five innings with six strikeouts in a 4–1 victory for the Athletics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401227598|title = Athletics vs. Red Sox – Game Recap – May 12, 2021 – ESPN}} On July 27, Kaprielian collected his first career base hit, notching a single against San Diego Padres pitcher Chris Paddack.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/27/homers-doom-as-against-padres-who-deal-oakland-fourth-straight-loss/|title = Homers doom A's against Padres, who deal Oakland fourth straight loss|date = July 28, 2021}} Kaprielian finished the 2021 season with an 8–5 record, a 4.07 ERA and 123 strikeouts in {{frac|119|1|3}} innings.

Kaprielian started the 2022 season in the Injured List because of irritation in the AC joint of his shoulder.{{Cite web |last=NJ.com |first=Mike Rosenstein {{!}} NJ Advance Media for |date=March 29, 2022 |title=MLB rumors: Ex-Yankees prospect expected to start the season on injured list |url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/03/mlb-rumors-ex-yankees-prospect-expected-to-start-the-season-on-injured-list.html |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=nj |language=en}} He made his season debut on May 1, 2022, against the Cleveland Guardians.{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2022 |title=Athletics Activate James Kaprielian |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/athletics-activate-james-kaprielian.html |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Following the season, on December 5, Kaprielian underwent surgery to repair his right AC joint.{{Cite web|title=James Kaprielian finally has surgery to fix troublesome shoulder|url=https://whitecleatbeat.com/2022/12/06/james-kaprielian-finally-surgery-fix-troublesome-shoulder/|access-date=July 31, 2023|website=whitecleatbeat.com|language=en}}

After allowing 23 runs in 16 innings to start the 2023 season, Kaprielian was demoted to Triple-A.{{Cite web |title=Athletics' James Kaprielian: Dispatched to Triple-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-james-kaprielian-dispatched-to-triple-a/amp/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=www.cbssports.com}} He returned on May 13.{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2023 |title=A's recall Kaprielian, send Patton to Triple-A |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37641881/athletics-recall-james-kaprielian-triple-las-vegas |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Overall, he made 14 appearances (11 starts) for Oakland, and struggled to a 2–6 record and 6.34 ERA with 57 strikeouts across 61.0 innings of work. He hit the Injured List on June 30 with a shoulder strain.{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Athletics' James Kaprielian: Lands on IL with shoulder strain |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-james-kaprielian-lands-on-il-with-shoulder-strain/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} On August 2, 2023, it was announced that Kaprielian would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing right shoulder arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear.{{Cite web|title=A's James Kaprielian Out For Season|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/as-james-kaprielian-out-for-season|access-date=August 2, 2023|website=si.com|language=en}} On October 12, Kaprielian was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Las Vegas.{{Cite web |title=Athletics' James Kaprielian: Outrighted to Triple-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-james-kaprielian-outrighted-to-triple-a/amp/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=www.cbssports.com}} He elected free agency on November 6.{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Jason |date=November 8, 2023 |title=25 A's Minor Leaguers Elect Free Agency |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/25-as-minor-leaguers-elect-free-agency |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Inside the A's |language=en}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On June 18, 2024, Kaprielian signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays, James Kaprielian Agree To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/blue-jays-sign-james-kaprielian-former-top-pitching-prospect.html|access-date=June 18, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} On November 6, he elected free agency.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

Personal life

Kaprielian's mother, Barbara Kaprielian, died of breast cancer in 2014 after her 14-year battle.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/kaprielian-621500-beckman-family.html|title=Educator, Beckman booster Barbara Kaprielian loses cancer fight|work=The Orange County Register|date=June 18, 2014|access-date=June 9, 2015}}

Kaprielian is of Armenian descent.{{cite news |last1=Kolligan |first1=Michael |title=Yanks' Kaprielian proud of Armenian heritage |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-james-kaprielian-on-being-armenian-c165666400 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=February 28, 2016}}