James McDonald played right field and pitched for GWC for one year in 2003. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 2002, and was selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the draft, but James came to GWC to try to either get drafted higher or get a better offer from the Dodgers, which he did. He was signed by scout Bobby Darwin for his first pro contract in May 2003.
McDonald was the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year the last two seasons, and is 27-27 with a 3.41 ERA in 99 career minor league games (82 starts) since being selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2002 draft. He has 511 strikeouts in 472.2 innings since his pro debut in 2003, an average of 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. James made his major league debut on Sept. 17, 2008 against the Pirates, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings over four appearances.
This season James is on the Dodger’s active roster as starting pitcher!
