Left-Handed Pitcher Chad James Signed to Marlins

NEWS 9 Sports Staff

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Yukon left-handed pitcher Chad James has signed a $1.7 million dollar contract with the Florida Marlins, the team that drafted him 18th overall in this year's Major League Baseball amateur draft.

The signing bonus is the largest-ever for a draftee from the state of Oklahoma.

James signed his contract Monday night at a Bricktown restaurant.

The left-hander sported an 8 and 2 record with a 1.28 ERA and 100 strikeouts for the Millers this past season.

James also recently donated $5,000 to the Justin Sullivan Foundation. Sullivan was a former Yukon baseball player who actually went to school with James' brother.

James said it was important to make that contribution especially because they are followers of God.

James said as he goes forward he plans to work hard and 'whatever falls into place falls into place."