James Houser
Encyclopedia
James Robert Houser, Jr. (born December 15, 1984 in Sarasota, Florida
) is a left-handed starting pitcher
.
in Sarasota, Florida
. During his senior year, he had an 11-1 record with a 1.40 ERA, striking out 118. He was named Florida's "Mr. Baseball" in 2003.
. He began his career for the Princeton Devil Rays
of the Appalachian League
. In 2005, he was the pitcher of the year for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
, and was also named to the Midwest League
All-Star Game. The following year, he was again named pitcher of the year, this time for the Visalia Oaks
of the California League
.
He was released by the Rays on August 1, 2009 to make room for Jeff Bennett
.
season, Houser inked a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins
He joined the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs on May 20. He was called up to the major league team in late June.
, Houser was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
) is a left-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
.
High school
Houser was an outstanding pitcher for Sarasota High SchoolSarasota High School
Sarasota High School is a public high school in Sarasota, Florida. The mascot is the Sailor.- History :Sarasota High School first opened in 1913. A new school was built in 1926 on South Tamiami Trail and the school was relocated...
in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
. During his senior year, he had an 11-1 record with a 1.40 ERA, striking out 118. He was named Florida's "Mr. Baseball" in 2003.
Tampa Bay Rays
Houser was drafted in the second round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the then Tampa Bay Devil RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
. He began his career for the Princeton Devil Rays
Princeton Devil Rays
The Princeton Rays are a minor league baseball team in Princeton, West Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays since September 27, 1996...
of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
. In 2005, he was the pitcher of the year for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Midwest League in 2005 and 2006. The club began play in 1995 and was previously known as the Michigan Battle Cats and the Battle Creek Yankees. They played their home games at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle...
, and was also named to the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
All-Star Game. The following year, he was again named pitcher of the year, this time for the Visalia Oaks
Visalia Oaks
The Visalia Rawhide are a minor league baseball team in Visalia, California, U.S. They are a Class A - Advanced team of the Arizona Diamondbacks operating in the California League and have recently agreed to renew their affiliation through 2012....
of the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
.
He was released by the Rays on August 1, 2009 to make room for Jeff Bennett
Jeff Bennett (baseball)
David Jeffrey "Jeff" Bennett is an American professional baseball pitcher who most recently pitched in Major League Baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Milwaukee Brewers:...
.
Florida Marlins
Before the 20102010 Major League Baseball season
The 2010 Major League Baseball season began Sunday, April 4, when the Boston Red Sox defeated their long-time rivals, the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees at Fenway Park, 9–7; the regular season ended on October 3. The 2010 All-Star Game was played on July 13 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim...
season, Houser inked a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
He joined the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs on May 20. He was called up to the major league team in late June.
Suspension
In 20072007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
, Houser was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.