James McCann Bio
James Thomas McCann, nicknamed “McCannon”, is an American professional baseball catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on June 13, 1990, in Santa Barbara, California, he played college baseball at the University of Arkansas before being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2011. McCann has built a steady career as a defensive-minded catcher across five MLB organizations, earning an All-Star selection in 2019 and catching two no-hitters in the majors.
Early Life and Background
James Thomas McCann was born on June 13, 1990, in Santa Barbara, California. His mother, Carla, suffered a torn amniotic sac during the pregnancy and was placed on extended bed rest after doctors gave him less than a 25% chance of surviving. McCann has credited his healthy upbringing to faith, and his mother became his first coach, serving as his tee-ball coach and driving him to Little League Baseball games and tournaments across the region.
During her recovery, Carla watched local Los Angeles sports, including the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association and the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, which helped shape McCann’s early love for athletics. As a young player, McCann was teammates with future MLB All-Star Jeff McNeil, foreshadowing a future in the major leagues.
Path to Baseball
McCann attended Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California, where he played in the Channel League and earned all-league first-team honors in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Although the Chicago White Sox selected him in the 31st round of the 2008 MLB draft, he opted to attend college and continue developing his game.
At the University of Arkansas, McCann played for the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Southeastern Conference of NCAA Division I. As a freshman in 2009, he teamed with future big leaguers Dallas Keuchel, Drew Smyly, Mike Bolsinger, Brett Eibner, and Andy Wilkins to help Arkansas reach the College World Series. He later played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2010 and was named a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award after his junior season.
James McCann Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
The Detroit Tigers selected McCann in the second round, with the 76th overall pick, of the 2011 MLB draft, making him Detroit’s first selection that year. He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Tigers before being promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Single-A Midwest League, beginning a steady climb through the minor leagues.
McCann progressed through Lakeland and Erie, appearing in the All-Star Futures Game in 2013, and opened 2014 with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He batted .295 with seven home runs and 54 RBI at Toledo, earning a September call-up to the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Tigers Breakthrough (2014–2018)
McCann made his MLB debut on September 1, 2014, replacing Alex Avila in the bottom of the ninth inning. His first start came on September 19, 2014, catching Justin Verlander against the Kansas City Royals, and he collected two hits, a stolen base, and two runs scored. By 2015 he had won the backup job behind Avila and quickly became a fan favorite in Detroit.
That season, McCann hit an inside-the-park home run on April 29, 2015, and followed it with a walk-off home run on May 21, 2015, becoming the first MLB player since Tim Raines in 1981 to use those two styles for his first two career home runs. On June 28, 2015, he added another walk-off homer against the Chicago White Sox, matching a feat last accomplished by Tony Piet in 1932. He set the modern MLB record for consecutive games played at catcher to start a career without an error, surpassing the previous mark of 93 set by Frankie Pytlak, and finished 2015 without an error in 112 games behind the plate.
McCann was named the 2015 Detroit Tigers/Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year after batting .264 with seven home runs and 41 RBI. He later finished as a Gold Glove Award finalist at catcher following the 2016 season and played a career-high 118 games in 2018 before being non-tendered by Detroit and becoming a free agent.
Chicago White Sox Era (2019–2020)
On December 19, 2018, McCann signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. He opened 2019 with the best start of his major league career, batting .319 with nine home runs by the end of June, and was invited to his first All-Star Game, where he recorded a single in his only plate appearance. He finished 2019 with career highs of a .273 batting average, 18 home runs, and 60 RBI.
The White Sox tendered McCann a $5.4 million contract for 2020, and on August 25, 2020, he was behind the plate when Lucas Giolito threw the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history. Across his White Sox tenure, McCann batted .289 with seven home runs and 15 RBI in 31 games.
New York Mets Era (2021–2022)
On December 15, 2020, McCann signed a four-year, $40.6 million contract with the New York Mets. He appeared in 112 games during the 2021 season, batting .232 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI, providing steady defense behind a young pitching staff. In 2022, he underwent surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left wrist in May, missed six weeks, and later returned to the injured list with a strained oblique, finishing the year with a .195 average in 61 games.
During his Mets tenure, McCann was behind the plate on April 29, 2022, when Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodríguez, Seth Lugo, and Edwin Díaz combined to throw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets traded him with cash considerations to the Baltimore Orioles on December 21, 2022.
Baltimore Orioles Era (2023–2024)
McCann spent two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, posting a .222/.269/.377 slash line with six home runs and 26 RBI in 69 games in 2023 while battling oblique and ankle injuries. He made several memorable appearances with Baltimore, including a three-hit game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on May 2, 2023, and a five-RBI game against his former Mets teammates on August 4, 2023.
In 2024, McCann appeared in 64 games for the Orioles, batting .234/.279/.388 with eight home runs and 31 RBI, and was named Baltimore’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. He also pitched in two MLB outings as a position player, both lasting a scoreless or limited eighth inning, and played through being hit in the nose by a fastball on July 29, 2024, returning the next game while wearing a protective face mask while batting.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2025–Present)
After a brief stint in the Atlanta Braves organization on a minor league deal in early 2025, McCann signed a major league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 23, 2025. He made his Diamondbacks debut on June 25, 2025, against the Chicago White Sox and went on to appear in 42 games, batting .260/.324/.431 with five home runs and 17 RBI. On November 21, 2025, he re-signed with Arizona on a one-year, $2.75 million contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCann has long been recognized for his defensive craft behind the plate, highlighted by his modern-era errorless streak to begin his career and his consistently strong caught-stealing rates. His ability to manage pitching staffs, frame pitches, and block balls has earned him a reputation as a steady, glove-first catcher whose value extends beyond the batting order.
Notable Events and Milestones
McCann’s signature milestones include catching two MLB no-hitters, his 2019 All-Star selection, and the modern record for consecutive games at catcher without an error to start a career. He also made a unique mark in 2015 by recording an inside-the-park home run and two walk-off home runs as his first three career long balls.
James McCann Career Wins
While James McCann is a catcher rather than a pitcher, his career wins are best measured through team victories in which he played a key role, his personal awards, and his postseason and All-Star appearances. Through the 2025 season he has played for five MLB franchises, been named to one All-Star Game, and caught two combined no-hitters.
MLB Highlights
McCann’s most celebrated MLB moments include his 2019 All-Star Game selection with the Chicago White Sox, when he batted .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI. He also caught Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 25, 2020, and a combined no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 29, 2022, with the New York Mets. Across his career he has thrown out base stealers at rates well above league average, peaking at 45% in 2016.
Other Performances
McCann represented the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, winning a silver medal in men’s baseball. He was also a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award in his junior season at Arkansas and was named the 2015 Detroit Tigers Rookie of the Year.
James McCann Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
James Thomas McCann was raised primarily by his mother, Carla, whose perseverance during a difficult pregnancy shaped his early life. As a child he played alongside future MLB All-Star Jeff McNeil, giving him an early connection to the professional game.
Personal Life
McCann married his wife, Jessica, in November 2014. The couple resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and welcomed twins, two sons, in December 2017. McCann is an avid hunter and hosts an annual preseason duck hunt along the Mississippi flyway near Carlisle, Arkansas.
2025 Season Performance
James McCann opened 2025 on a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, splitting time between the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, where he batted .305/.341/.510 with six home runs and 32 RBI in 42 appearances. The Braves released him on June 22, 2025, opening the door for a return to the major leagues.
On June 23, 2025, McCann signed a major league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and debuted two days later against the Chicago White Sox. In 42 games with Arizona he batted .260/.324/.431 with five home runs and 17 RBI, providing veteran leadership and defensive stability behind the plate for a contending club.
Following the season, the Diamondbacks re-signed McCann on November 21, 2025, to a one-year, $2.75 million contract, signaling continued confidence in his role as a backup catcher and clubhouse presence heading into the 2026 campaign.
