James Bourque #38

James signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in December of 2020 following seven professional seasons in the Nationals chain, including seven relief appearances for Washington spanning 2019-20...Went 1-0 with a 13.50 ERA (7 ER/4.2 IP) in seven relief appearances for the Nationals, walking seven and striking out one...Is 24-21 with 15 saves and a 4.24 ERA (162 ER/343.2 IP) in 140 career minor league games (44 starts)...has walked 137 and struck out 340 batters...Owned the "best curveball" in Washington's minor league system according to Baseball America....?A 14th round selection by Washington in the 2014 draft out of the University of Michigan, he began his pro career as a starter before moving to the bullpen in 2018...Graduated from Huron High School in Ann Arbor, Mich., where in addition to baseball, he excelled in water polo and swimming...was a member of the 2008 state championship and 2010 regional championship water polo team...twice lettered in swimming (2007, 2008).

2020

Graduated from Huron High School in Ann Arbor, Mich., where in addition to baseball, he excelled in water polo and swimming...was a member of the 2008 state championship and 2010 regional championship water polo team...twice lettered in swimming (2007, 2008)....Held the opponent scoreless in five of his six relief outings...Recorded his first career victory, September 11 vs. the Braves, tossing a scoreless 12th inning in an 8-7 win, 12-inning victory.

2019

Began the season with Double-A Harrisburg before being recalled on May 25 and made his MLB debut on May 26 vs. Miami...Went 3-0 with six saves and a 1.33 ERA (3 ER/20.1 IP) in 14 appearances out of Harrisburg's bullpen...Was optioned to Triple-A Fresno and went 4-1 with three saves, a 5.56 ERA (27 ER/43.2 IP) and struck out 53 batters in 33 games with the Grizzlies...Tossed more than 1.0 inning in 21 of his 47 Minor League outings.

2018

Converted to the relief role full-time...Went 4-2 with six saves and a 1.70 ERA (10 ER/53.0 IP) in 41 games between Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg in 2018...He led all Nationals Minor Leaguers (min. 50.0 IP) in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (12.91) and hits allowed per 9.0 innings (5.09) while ranking third in the system in ERA (1.70)...Recorded 76 strikeouts, 26 walks and a .169 opponent batting average...He was promoted to Harrisburg on July 13 and went on to allow just two earned runs in 19.2 innings pitched (0.92 ERA), while striking out 24 batters.