James McDonald was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round in 2002, out of Poly High School in Long Beach, California. He was a first baseman when drafted, but didn't sign right away and went to junior college at Golden West JC. He signed in '03, moved to the mound full-time and posted a 3.33 ERA with a 47/15 K/BB in 48 innings of rookie ball, very credible performance and enough to get him a Grade C rating. 原本是一壘手身份獲選，但沒簽跑去上學，隔年才被簽下改成投手。 However, a sore arm put his pitching future in enough doubt that the Dodgers moved him to the outfield in 2004. He didn't hit well, just .224/.291/.256 in rookie ball. He followed that with a .229/.312/.289 mark in the Pioneer League in 2005, prompting a return to pitching in '06. 因為手痠問題2004年被移往外野，打擊成績連兩年都不怎樣。 2006年回到投手丘。 He had mixed results for Columbus in the Sally League in 2006, going 5-10, but with a 3.98 ERA and a 146/65 K/BB in 142 innings, just 119 hits allowed. The K/IP and H/IP were positives. His walk rate was high, but given his pitching inexperience this was understandable. I gave him a Grade C entering 2007, noting his need for better command but also pointing out the posiitve components. 2006年在low A表現有好有壞，保送多，但因為剛回投手位置是能被接受的。 McDonald began 2007 at Inland Empire in the California League, going 6-7, 3.95 but with a 104/21 K/BB in just 82 innings. Promoted to Double-A Jacksonville, he went 7-2, 1.71 with a 64/16 K/BB in 53 innings. Again, very impressive K/IP marks, but with improving command. I gave him a Grade B+ in the book this year and rated him as the Number 13 pitching prospect in baseball. This seems to be a higher ranking than other sources are giving him. He is off to a great start this year: 2.92 ERA with a 15/4 K/BB in his first 12.1 innings, 10 hits allowed. 2007年從A+開季三振驚人，升上AA後仍然K個不停，控球也有進步，這一年表現優秀。 Here is what I like about McDonald. Stat-wise, I like the improving ratios. His K/IP has always been impressive, but his walk rate has gone down even while pitching at higher levels, a clear marker that he is making a clean transition from thrower to pitcher. The fact that his K/IP remains strong in Double-A is another positive sign. The trendlines are good, in other words. 數據上來看他的三振令人驚豔，保送竟隨升級減少。 Scout-wise, he was throwing 86-89 in the Sally League in '06 according to the reports I have, but was throwing 87-93 last year, continuing a gradual bump up in velocity. His curveball and changeup are very good, and adding the three pitches together with sharper command makes a nice package. I also like his athleticism, a key factor I look for in any pitcher. He hasn't shown any arm problems since his initial bout with trouble back in 2003, and perhaps the fact that he backed off pitching then and essentially rested his arm for two years may prevent a recurrance. 球探報導來看他的球速有稍快，配上控球不錯的曲球和變速球相當有威力， 2003年後即沒再有受傷消息，或許那兩年的休養讓他避免舊傷復發。 McDonald still isn't getting as much attention as he deserves. While he may not be a number one starter type, if he stays healthy I think he's got a good chance to emerge as a fine number three guy, not bad for a guy who was a complete unknown two years ago. 仍未得到他應受的重視，可能是個不錯的三號投手。 --

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