James Douglas Callahan (born August 24, 1994) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets.
Callahan attended Dillon High School. He earned the 2012 Gatorade South Carolina Baseball Player of the Year and Region 8-2A Player of the Year in his senior season, after posting a 7âÂÂ1 winâÂÂloss record with a 0.89 earned run average (ERA) and 111 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched to help his team reach the regional championship. In addition, he was an All-State selection in 2011 and 2012. Callahan committed to play college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The Boston Red Sox selected Callahan in the second round (87th overall) of the 2012 MLB draft and he chose to forego his commitment to South Carolina in favor of a $565,500 signing bonus. He was assigned immediately to the Gulf Coast Red Sox where he was 1âÂÂ0 with a 5.19 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched. In 2013 he pitched for the Lowell Spinners where he was 5âÂÂ1 with a 3.92 ERA in 13 games (12 starts), in 2014 he played with the Greenville Drive where he pitched to a 3âÂÂ13 record with a 6.96 ERA in 25 starts, and in 2015 he returned to Greenville where he was 7âÂÂ6 with a 4.53 ERA in 31 games (six starts). Callahan spent 2016 with the Salem Red Sox where he posted a 5âÂÂ3 record and 3.29 ERA in 36 relief appearances, and he began 2017 with the Portland Sea Dogs. He was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox in May.
On July 31, 2017, the New York Mets acquired Callahan, Stephen Nogosek, and Gerson Bautista in exchange for Addison Reed. New York assigned him to the Las Vegas 51s. The Mets promoted Callahan to the major leagues on September 1. In 41 relief appearances between Portland, Pawtucket, and Las Vegas prior to his promotion he was 6âÂÂ3 with a 2.94 ERA. He made his Major League debut on September 2 against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Callahan was assigned to Las Vegas to begin the 2018 season. He was placed on the disabled list in April and he underwent shoulder surgery in June, thus ending his season. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.
On December 28, 2018, Callahan signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants that included an invitation to spring training. He split the 2019 campaign between the rookieâÂÂlevel Arizona League Giants, HighâÂÂA San Jose Giants, DoubleâÂÂA Richmond Flying Squirrels, TripleâÂÂA Sacramento River Cats. In 22 appearances split between the four affiliates, Callahan accumulated a 5.01 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 4 saves across innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2019.
On June 17, 2020, Callahan signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. He struggled in 4 games, going 0âÂÂ1 with an 8.10 ERA and two strikeouts in innings. Callahan was released by the Dogs on August 24.
On May 21, 2021, Callahan signed with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 26 games for Gastonia, he logged a 2âÂÂ0 record and 7.04 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 23 innings of work. Callahan became a free agent following the season.
On April 26, 2022, Callahan signed with the Wild Health Genomes of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He appeared in 9 games going 1âÂÂ0 with a 1.08 ERA and 7 strikeouts in innings. Callahan became a free agent following the season.