Drafted in the 4th round (132nd overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2010 (signed for $942,500).
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The Blue Jays drafted Paxton 37th overall out of the University of Kentucky a year ago, but they couldn't sign the native Canadian. Team president Paul Beeston told a Toronto newspaper that he had negotiated directly with Paxton's adviser, Scott Boras, which would be a violation of NCAA rules. The Wildcats wouldn't allow Paxton to play until he submitted to an interview with the NCAA, and when he couldn't secure a temporary injunction in the Kentucky courts, he left the team and signed with the independent Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association, following the paths of several prominent pitchers in recent years, including Tanner Scheppers. Last spring, he worked at 93-94 mph and touched 97 with his fastball, which features good run and sink. His curveball grades as a true plus pitch at times, and he'll also show solid command and some feel for a changeup, though he doesn't use it often. Despite his stuff and a gaudy 115-20 K-BB ratio as a junior, Paxton got hit hard to the tune of a 5.86 ERA last season. While his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame should lend itself to durability, he has a history of nagging injuries (sore elbow in high school, back issues in 2008, tendinitis in his left knee last spring) that worries some clubs. In his first three starts for Grand Prairie, he showed an 88-93 mph fastball and a decent curve without much command, so he might be hard pressed to match his draft status from a year ago. But when Paxton is at his best, only Drew Pomeranz offers a better fastball/curve combo among this draft's lefthanders.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Paxton took the long road to Seattle, the team he grew up rooting for in British Columbia. A supplemental first-round pick in 2009 by the Blue Jays, he didn't sign and didn't return to college after Jays president Paul Beeston told a Toronto newspaper he had negotiated with Paxton's agent Scott Boras, effectively ending Paxton's eligibility. He went on to play independent ball, and the Mariners drafted him in 2010, finally signing him for $942,500 in March 2011. Paxton's fastball runs anywhere from 91-98 mph, though his velocity fluctuates because the long-limbed lefty can have trouble repeating his mechanics. His hammer curveball is a plus pitch, sitting in the low 80s at its best, but Paxton also has trouble throwing it for strikes consistently. His cutter and changeup lag behind the other two pitches. Paxton tightened his delivery considerably late in 2013, which allowed him to pitch well when he was called up to the major leagues for the first time in September. Paxton will get a chance to win a spot in the big league rotation in spring training. If he throws enough strikes, he could be a mid-rotation starter. If he moves to the bullpen, he has the stuff to pitch high-leverage innings.
The Blue Jays picked Paxton, a native Canadian, 37th overall out of Kentucky in 2009 but didn't sign him. Team president Paul Beeston told a Toronto newspaper he had negotiated with Paxton's agent Scott Boras, effectively ending Paxton's NCAA eligibility. He spent a spring in the independent American Association, went in the fourth round of the 2010 draft and signed for $942,500 in March 2011. He has carved up minor league hitters, slowed only by patellar tendinitis in his right knee that sidelined him for six weeks early in the 2012 season. Paxton is an imposing presence on the mound with his strong, workhorse build and two above-average pitches. His fastball sits at 92-95 mph and gets as high as 98. He has the best curveball in the system, a 76-79 mph hammer with 12-to-6 break. He's developing better feel for a changeup that he throws with a circle grip. Paxton has a long arm action and comes right over the top, creating deception and allowing him to pitch with good downward plane. However, the length in his delivery can hamper his command. Paxton will get his first taste of Triple-A to start the 2013 season. The development of his changeup will determine if he can be a No. 2 starter. His fastball/curveball combination also could make him a closer.
The Blue Jays drafted Paxton 37th overall out of Kentucky in 2009 but couldn't sign him. Team president Paul Beeston told a Toronto newspaper he had negotiated directly with Paxton's adviser, Scott Boras, which effectively ended Paxton's college eligibility. His stuff wasn't as sharp when he pitched in the independent American Association before the 2010 draft, so he slid to the fourth round. The Mariners finally signed him last March for $942,500, which looks like a steal after he dominated and reached Double-A in his pro debut. Paxton is the rare power lefthander who combines high strikeout totals with above-average groundball rates. His fastball sits at 91-95 mph and peaks at 98. He can pitch up in the zone effectively but has just as much faith in his two-seam fastball as he does his four-seamer. He can use his plus 76-79 mph curveball to get ahead in counts or put away hitters. His changeup made a lot of progress after he switched to a circle grip in 2011, and should be at least solid in the future. Paxton's arm action gets long in the back, allowing batters to see the ball and limiting his command when he gets out of sync. His delivery was very slow when he entered pro ball, but he worked hard to cut his time to the plate from 1.6-2.0 seconds to 1.3-1.4. Paxton could return to Double-A to start the season to avoid the cold early-season weather at Triple-A Tacoma. He has a No. 2 starter ceiling and could reach Seattle at some point in 2012.
Minor League Top Prospects
Bothered by tendinitis in his right knee, Paxton battled his control until he took six weeks off starting in late May. Once healthy, he went 6-1, 2.40 while cutting his walk rate to 3.3 per nine innings after averaging 6.2 before his disabled-list trip. He dominated in two playoff starts, striking out 19 in 13 innings without surrendering an earned run. Paxton throws two-and four-seam fastball, sitting at 91-95 mph and peaking at 98. His curveball gives him a second plus pitch, and he shows some aptitude for throwing a circle changeup that he picked up last year. His stuff and command improved once his knee stopped bothering him and has was able to finish his pitches better.
After Paxton failed to sign with the Blue Jays as the 37th overall pick in the 2009 draft, his stuff regressed when he landed in independent ball the following spring. It bounced back quickly, however, after he signed with the Mariners in February and reported to Clinton in late April. He abused MWL hitters for 10 starts before jumping two levels in July and faring even better against Double-A opponents. Paxton required just six pitches to work a perfect inning in the Futures Game, relying solely on a 93-96 mph fastball. He usually operates at 90-94 with good life on his heater, and managers rated his curveball as the best in the league. He made nice progress with his changeup in his first pro summer. Paxton's main needs are to throw more strikes and get quicker to the plate. He has a long-armed delivery that allows hitters to see the ball but also creates a difficult angle to the plate.
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
Rated Best Curveball in the Seattle Mariners in 2014
Rated Best Curveball in the Seattle Mariners in 2013
Rated Best Curveball in the Seattle Mariners in 2012
Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Midwest League in 2011
Scouting Reports
Background: The Blue Jays picked Paxton, a native Canadian, 37th overall out of Kentucky in 2009 but didn't sign him. Team president Paul Beeston told a Toronto newspaper he had negotiated with Paxton's agent Scott Boras, effectively ending Paxton's NCAA eligibility. He spent a spring in the independent American Association, went in the fourth round of the 2010 draft and signed for $942,500 in March 2011. He has carved up minor league hitters, slowed only by patellar tendinitis in his right knee that sidelined him for six weeks early in the 2012 season.
Scouting Report: Paxton is an imposing presence on the mound with his strong, workhorse build and two above-average pitches. His fastball sits at 92-95 mph and gets as high as 98. He has the best curveball in the system, a 76-79 mph hammer with 12-to-6 break. He's developing better feel for a changeup that he throws with a circle grip. Paxton has a long arm action and comes right over the top, creating deception and allowing him to pitch with good downward plane. However, the length in his delivery can hamper his command.
The Future: Paxton will get his first taste of Triple-A to start the 2013 season. The development of his changeup will determine if he can be a No. 2 starter. His fastball/curveball combination also could make him a closer.
Background: The Blue Jays drafted Paxton 37th overall out of Kentucky in 2009 but couldn't sign him. Team president Paul Beeston told a Toronto newspaper he negotiated directly with Paxton's adviser, Scott Boras, which effectively ended Paxton's college eligibility. His stuff wasn't as sharp when he pitched in the independent American Association before the 2010 draft, so he slid until the fourth round. The Mariners signed him last March for $942,500.Scouting Report: Paxton is the rare power lefthander who combines high strikeout totals with above-average groundball rates. His fastball sits at 91-95 mph and peaks at 98. He can pitch up in the zone effectively but has just as much faith in his two-seam fastball as he does his four-seamer. He can use his plus 76-79 mph curveball to get ahead in counts or put away hitters. His changeup made a lot of progress after he switched to a circle grip in 2011, and should be at least solid in the future. Paxton's arm action gets long in the back, allowing batters to see the ball and limiting his command when he gets out of sync.The Future: Paxton has a No. 2 starter ceiling and could reach Seattle at some point in 2012.
Career Transactions
Boston Red Sox transferred LHP James Paxton from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right calf strain.
Boston Red Sox placed LHP James Paxton on the 15-day injured list. Right calf strain.
Boston Red Sox activated LHP James Paxton.
Los Angeles Dodgers traded LHP James Paxton to Boston Red Sox for SS Moises Bolivar.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated LHP James Paxton for assignment.
Boston Red Sox activated LHP James Paxton from the paternity list.
Boston Red Sox placed LHP James Paxton on the paternity list.
Boston Red Sox activated LHP James Paxton from the 15-day injured list.
Boston Red Sox sent LHP James Paxton on a rehab assignment to Worcester Red Sox.
Boston Red Sox placed LHP James Paxton on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 27, 2023. Right hamstring strain.
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