title: James Houser
text: # James Houser
  
  James Robert Houser, Jr. (born December 15, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins in 2010.
  
  ## High school
  
  Houser was an outstanding pitcher for Sarasota High School in Sarasota, Florida. During his senior year, he had an 11-1 record with a 1.40 ERA, striking out 118. He was named Florida's "Mr. Baseball" in 2003.
  
  ## Professional career
  
  ### Tampa Bay Rays
  
  Houser was drafted in the second round of the 2003 MLB draft by the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He began his career for the Princeton Devil Rays of the Appalachian League. In 2005, he was the pitcher of the year for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, and was also named to the Midwest League All-Star Game. The following year, he was again named pitcher of the year, this time for the Visalia Oaks of the California League.
  
  He was released by the Rays on August 1, 2009, to make room for Jeff Bennett.
  
  ### Florida Marlins
  
  Before the 2010 season, Houser inked a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins. He joined the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs on May 20. He was called up to the major league team in late June.
  
  ### Baltimore Orioles
  
  On February 1, 2011, Houser signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a minor league deal. Sat out season with season ending open heart surgery.
  
  ### Independent Leagues
  
  He played in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2012 and 2013 for the York Revolution, Camden Riversharks and Long Island Ducks.
  
  In 2014, he signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.
  
  ## Personal life
  
  Houser married his wife Nicole on January 2, 2009. They have three kids together; Kellen James born on January 9, 2010, Bryce Camden on January 11, 2012, and Lily Grace born on February 13, 2015.
  
  