| James Naile | |
| Team: | Kia Tigers |
| Number: | 40 |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | 8 February 1993 |
| Birth Place: | Cape Girardeau, Missouri, U.S. |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | June 27 |
| Debutyear: | 2022 |
| Debutteam: | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Debut2league: | KBO |
| Debut2date: | March 27 |
| Debut2year: | 2024 |
| Debut2team: | Kia Tigers |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Statyear: | 2023 season |
| Stat1label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value: | 0–0 |
| Stat2label: | Earned run average |
| Stat2value: | 7.40 |
| Stat3label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value: | 12 |
| Stat2league: | KBO |
| Stat2year: | May 26, 2024 |
| Stat21label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat21value: | 6–1 |
| Stat22label: | Earned run average |
| Stat22value: | 1.64 |
| Stat23label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat23value: | 68 |
| Teams: |
|
James Aubrey Naile (born February 8, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Naile graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston, Missouri. He attended Parkland College, a junior college, despite receiving offers from Arkansas State University and Southeast Missouri State University, which both play college baseball in NCAA Division I.[1] After spending two years at Parkland, Naile transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to play for the UAB Blazers.[2] Naile had Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in 2013.[3]
The Oakland Athletics selected Naile in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB draft.[4] In 2016, Naile was named the best defensive pitcher in Minor League Baseball.[5]
Naile became a free agent and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization on November 18, 2021.[6]
The Cardinals promoted Naile to the major leagues on June 27, 2022.[7] He made his MLB debut that night versus the Miami Marlins, pitching one scoreless inning of relief.[8] He made seven total appearances for the Cardinals in his rookie campaign, posting a 5.00 ERA with five strikeouts in nine innings pitched.
On February 8, 2023, Naile was designated for assignment by St. Louis following the acquisition of Anthony Misiewicz.[9] On February 10, Naile cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.[10] In 6 games with Memphis, Naile posted a 3-1 record and 2.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts. On May 5, his contract was selected to the active roster.[11] In 10 major league contests for St. Louis, Naile struggled to an 8.80 ERA with 7 strikeouts across innings of work.
On January 19, 2024, the Cardinals sold Naile's contract to the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.[12]
Naile grew up as a fan of the Cardinals. His mother died in 2018.[13]