James Vermilyea
Encyclopedia
James Jordan Vermilyea (born February 10, 1982 in Tucson, Arizona
) is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
. He played part of the 2007 season in Major League Baseball
for the Toronto Blue Jays
, and currently plays for the Winnipeg Goldeyes
of the American Association. He is 6'4" tall and 195 lb (88.5 kg) in weight.
Vermilyea was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
in the 9th round, 260th overall of the 2003 amateur draft
. In three seasons for the Blue Jays minor league system
, Vermilyea posted a 19-9 record with eight saves and a 3.05 ERA
in 99 games, 22 as a starter
. Most impressively, he threw a perfect game
against the New Britain Rock Cats
on June 28, 2004.
Vermilyea was acquired by the Boston Red Sox
in the Rule 5 Draft
from Toronto, but was returned to Toronto on March 14, 2006. He split the 2006 season with Toronto's minor-league affiliates New Hampshire Fisher Cats
(Double-A/Eastern League) and Syracuse Chiefs (Triple A/International League).
In April 2007, Vermilyea's contract was purchased from Syracuse by the Blue Jays after B. J. Ryan went on the 15-day disabled list
and Davis Romero
went on the 60-day disabled list. He made his major league debut on April 22 against the Baltimore Orioles
, pitching 3 scorless innings as a reliever
.
Vermilyea began the 2008 season back with the Fisher Cats, but was released by the Blue Jays on June 27. He played in Serie A1
in 2009 for Bbc Grosseto.
In 2010, he signed with the Na Koa Ikaika Maui of the Golden Baseball League
. As their closer
he posted a 1-2 record with 20 saves (just one short of the league record) with an ERA of 1.64 in 31 games with 28 strikeout
s. He led his team to the first half championship, but on August 28, 2010, his contract was purchased by the Blue Jays, preventing him from participating in the postseason or setting the GBL saves record. He was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas
the following day. He appeared in four games for Las Vegas, then became a minor league free agent at the end of the season.
On April 29, 2011, Vermilyea signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes
of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He served as the Goldeyes' closer
, appeared in 45 games with a record of 3-3, an ERA of 1.81, and 17 saves.
in the lower 90 miles per hour speed range. His fastball has good command, and good movement. Vermilyea also utilized his ability to throw a low 80's mph breaking slider
, a splitter
, a curveball
, a change-up, and a cutter
. Vermilyea struggles with consistency in his pitches.
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He played part of the 2007 season in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, and currently plays for the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
of the American Association. He is 6'4" tall and 195 lb (88.5 kg) in weight.
Vermilyea was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in the 9th round, 260th overall of the 2003 amateur draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
. In three seasons for the Blue Jays minor league system
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, Vermilyea posted a 19-9 record with eight saves and a 3.05 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 99 games, 22 as a starter
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....
. Most impressively, he threw a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
against the New Britain Rock Cats
New Britain Rock Cats
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
on June 28, 2004.
Vermilyea was acquired by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
from Toronto, but was returned to Toronto on March 14, 2006. He split the 2006 season with Toronto's minor-league affiliates New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
(Double-A/Eastern League) and Syracuse Chiefs (Triple A/International League).
In April 2007, Vermilyea's contract was purchased from Syracuse by the Blue Jays after B. J. Ryan went on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and Davis Romero
Davis Romero
Davis Javier Romero is a pitcher who is currently a free agent.Davis made his Major League debut on August 18, 2006 against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching 2.2 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, no walks, and getting two strikeouts...
went on the 60-day disabled list. He made his major league debut on April 22 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, pitching 3 scorless innings as a reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
.
Vermilyea began the 2008 season back with the Fisher Cats, but was released by the Blue Jays on June 27. He played in Serie A1
Serie A1 (baseball)
The Italian Baseball League is a professional baseball league that is governed by FIBS , which has its headquarters in Rome...
in 2009 for Bbc Grosseto.
In 2010, he signed with the Na Koa Ikaika Maui of the Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
. As their closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
he posted a 1-2 record with 20 saves (just one short of the league record) with an ERA of 1.64 in 31 games with 28 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. He led his team to the first half championship, but on August 28, 2010, his contract was purchased by the Blue Jays, preventing him from participating in the postseason or setting the GBL saves record. He was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
the following day. He appeared in four games for Las Vegas, then became a minor league free agent at the end of the season.
On April 29, 2011, Vermilyea signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He served as the Goldeyes' closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
, appeared in 45 games with a record of 3-3, an ERA of 1.81, and 17 saves.
Scouting report
Vermilyea can throw his fastballFastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
in the lower 90 miles per hour speed range. His fastball has good command, and good movement. Vermilyea also utilized his ability to throw a low 80's mph breaking slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
, a splitter
Split-finger fastball
A split-finger fastball or splitter is a pitch in baseball. It is named after the technique of putting the index and middle finger on different sides of the ball, or "splitting" them. When thrown hard, it appears to be a fastball to the batter, but suddenly "drops off the table" towards home...
, a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, a change-up, and a cutter
Cutter (baseball)
In baseball, a cutter, or cut fastball, is a type of fastball which breaks slightly toward the pitcher's glove side as it reaches home plate. This pitch is somewhere between a slider and a fastball, as it is usually thrown faster than a slider but with more motion than a typical fastball. Some...
. Vermilyea struggles with consistency in his pitches.