James Shields, Starting Pitcher

Date of Birth: 12/20/1981
Birthplace: Newhall, California
Nickname: Big Game James

James Shields, starting pitcher, was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2000. After spending the 2001 season in the Rays' minor league system, he had surgery and he missed the 2002 season. From 2003 through 2005, he pitched in the minor leagues.

In 2006, Shields pitched in 21 games for the Rays. He finished the season with a 4.84 ERA with a 6-8 record. The following season, he had a 3.85 ERA with a 12-8 record in 31 games.

The 2011 season was Shields' best one. That year, he had a career low 2.82 ERA and career highs in innings pitched (249.1), wins (16 to 12 losses), and strikeouts (225 to 65 walks).

In December, 2012, the Rays traded Shields to the Kansas City Royals. He had a 3.15 ERA with a 13-9 record in 34 games in 2013. He had similar numbers in 2014, finishing with a 14-8 record, 180 strikeouts to 44 walks, and a 3.21 ERA in 227.0 innings in 34 games. In the postseason, he pitched 25.0 innings in 5 games and he gave up 36 hits, 17 runs, and 4 home runs. He had one wibn and two losses and a 6.12 ERA.

Shields signed a four-year, $75 million contract with the San Diego Padres on February 11, 2015. The contract includes a club option for a fifth year. He finished the 2015 season with a 13-7 record, 216 strikeouts to 81 walks, and a 3.91 ERA in 202.1 innings in 33 games.

Shields was traded to the Chicago White Sox on June 4, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a 5.85 ERA, 6 wins to 19 losses, and 135 strikeouts to 82 walks in 11 games with the Padres and 22 games with the White Sox.

In 2017, Shields had a 5.23 ERA in 21 games. He finished the season with 5 wins and 7 losses and 103 strikeouts to 53 walks in 117.0 innings.

Shields finished the 2018 season with 7 wins and 16 losses, 154 strikeouts to 78 walks, and a 4.53 ERA in 204.2 innings in 34 games.

Shields became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He hasn't played professional baseball since 2018.

Statistics for Shields in thirteen seasons (2006-2018) in the major leagues include:

• 11 seasons with over 30 games, with a high of 34 in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2018
• 10 seasons with over 200 innings pitched, with a high of 249.1 in 2011
• 10 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with a high of 225 in 2011

Career pitching statistics for Shields through 2018 include:

• 407 games played
• 2,616.0 innings pitched
• 145-139 win-loss record
• 2,234 strikeouts to 746 walks
• 4.01 ERA

Charitable Work

Shields has worked with two charities - The Heart Gallery and Eckerd Youth Alternatives, an organization that aids children in foster care.

Personal Life

Shields and his wife Ryane were married in November, 2007. They have two daughters.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - James Shields
ESPN - James Shields