09/18/2024 - Arizona Junior Fall Classic (2026) James Statler is a promising OF/RHP who showcased his skills at the Arizona Junior Fall Classic. On the mound, his fastball was clocked at 78 mph, and while he occasionally misses up in the zone, he complemented it well with a 62 mph breaking ball and a 68 mph change-up. His change-up proved to be his best pitch, and with more reliance on it, he had an effective outing, surrendering just one hit and no runs. His quick delivery to the plate makes him a catcher’s dream, and once he builds his strength and improves his velocity, he will be a formidable force on the mound. Defensively, James excels with his accurate arm. He consistently makes the right plays by hitting the cutoff and the bag, and increasing his arm strength will undoubtedly enhance his game. One area for improvement is his ability to read the ball off the bat, which can be developed through live batting practice. At the plate, his quick hands were a standout feature. While he primarily relies on his hand speed, incorporating his lower half more into his swing will enable him to drive the ball consistently. He managed to collect a hit during the tournament, along with a few loud outs, and his ability to avoid swinging and missing allows him the freedom to be more aggressive at the plate. With his potential and work ethic, he is set to continue his development as a player!