Biography

BIOGRAPHY

James Kaprielian was born March 2, 1994, in Laguna Hills, California. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

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. He signed with the Yankees, receiving a $2.65 million signing bonus, 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 11 1⁄3 total innings between both teams.

On July 31, 2017, the Yankees traded Kaprielian to the Oakland Athletics, along with fellow prospects Jorge Mateo and Dustin Fowler, for Sonny Gray. The Athletics added him to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.

On August 16, 2020, Kaprielian made his MLB debut with two innings against the San Francisco Giants. 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. 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 triumph for the Athletics.

Kaprielian was kept out of the start of the 2022 season with an injury. He made his season debut on May 1, 2022 against the Cleveland Guardians.