James Naile

American baseball player (born 1993)

Baseball player

James Naile
Kia Tigers – No. 40
Pitcher
Born: (1993-02-08) February 8, 1993 (age 31) Cape Girardeau, Missouri, U.S.
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 27, 2022, for the St. Louis Cardinals
KBO: March 27, 2024, for the Kia Tigers
MLB statistics (through 2023 season)
Win–loss record	0–0
Earned run average	7.40
Strikeouts	12
KBO statistics (through May 26, 2024)
Win–loss record	6–1
Earned run average	1.64
Strikeouts	68

Teams
St. Louis Cardinals (2022–2023) Kia Tigers (2024–present)

James Aubrey Naile (born February 8, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Amateur career

Naile graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston, Missouri. He attended Parkland College, a junior college, despite receiving offers from Arkansas State University and Southeast Missouri State University, which both play college baseball in NCAA Division I.^[1] After spending two years at Parkland, Naile transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to play for the UAB Blazers.^[2] Naile had Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in 2013.^[3]

Professional career

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics selected Naile in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB draft.^[4] In 2016, Naile was named the best defensive pitcher in Minor League Baseball.^[5]

St. Louis Cardinals

Naile became a free agent and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization on November 18, 2021.^[6]

The Cardinals promoted Naile to the major leagues on June 27, 2022.^[7] He made his MLB debut that night versus the Miami Marlins, pitching one scoreless inning of relief.^[8] He made seven total appearances for the Cardinals in his rookie campaign, posting a 5.00 ERA with five strikeouts in nine innings pitched.

On February 8, 2023, Naile was designated for assignment by St. Louis following the acquisition of Anthony Misiewicz.^[9] On February 10, Naile cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.^[10] In 6 games with Memphis, Naile posted a 3-1 record and 2.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts. On May 5, his contract was selected to the active roster.^[11] In 10 major league contests for St. Louis, Naile struggled to an 8.80 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 15+1⁄3 innings of work.

Kia Tigers

On January 19, 2024, the Cardinals sold Naile's contract to the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.^[12]

Personal life

Naile grew up as a fan of the Cardinals. His mother died in 2018.^[13]

References

^ Chris Pobst (January 20, 2011). "High School Sports: Naile joins prestigious junior college program (1/20/11)". Standard Democrat. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
^ Chris Pobst (May 30, 2012). "High School Sports: Naile takes next step, signs with University of Alabama at Birmingham (5/30/12)". Standard Democrat. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
^ Alabama (June 27, 2013). "UAB pitcher James Naile, who led Blazers in wins, has Tommy John surgery". al.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
^ Posted by PManning_is$$$$$ on Fri, June 12, 2015, at 7:35 PM (June 10, 2015). "Blog: Former Charleston pitcher James Naile drafted by Oakland (6/10/15)". Standard Democrat. Retrieved June 27, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "Rawlings, Minors announce '16 Gold Glovers". MiLB.com. September 26, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
^ Heller, Marsha (November 18, 2021). "Heartland native, pitcher, James Naile, announces he signed with Cardinals". Kfvs12.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
^ "Cardinals' James Naile: Poised for first MLB call-up". CBSSports.com. June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
^ "Two Yepez HRS, Goldschmidt 4 for 4, Cards top Marlins 9-0". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
^ "Cardinals' James Naile: Removed from 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
^ "Cardinals' James Naile: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
^ "Cardinals' James Naile: Selected by Cards". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
^ "Kia Tigers sign ex-MLB pitcher Naile". m-en.yna.co.kr. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
^ Hummel, Rick (June 29, 2022). "Lifelong Cardinals fan, and now player, James Naile comes home in big league debut". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 8, 2022.