CHARLESTON, WV - When the Pirates drafted James Marvel in the 36th round in 2015, he came with a heavy sinker and a caveat: recovering from Tommy John surgery. In fact, Marvel stepped away from baseball for two years, starting his last game with Duke University on March 9, 2014, and making his return on June 18, 2016, with the Morgantown Black Bears. As a result, there has been a shroud of mystery around Marvel. In 2017, he’s finally showing us what he can do.
Marvel has shown promise since that first start with the Black Bears. To date, that appearance has been the high water mark for his career.