James Anthony Loney (born May 7, 1984 in Houston,
Texas) is a first baseman in Major League Baseball
who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
James had a stellar prep career (varsity 2000-2002)
at Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas
(suburban Houston). He hit .509 his senior season
and also accumulated a record of 9-1 with a 1.80
earned run average as a pitcher, striking out 106
batters in 54 innings. After his senior year in
2002, he was named Player of the Year by Houston 5A
Baseball, the Houston Chronicle and the Texas High
School Writers Association, and was the Gatorade
Baseball Player of the Year (Texas). Prior to the
draft, Baseball America tabbed him as the best pure
hitter in the draft, as having the second-best
professional debut by a high school player selected
and the second-closest high school player to
reaching the major leagues.
He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1st
Round (#19 overall). He had signed with Baylor
University to play college baseball, but opted to
sign a pro contract.
