Big Maple? How new Yankees pitcher James Paxton got his nickname

by Felix Pantaleón

The Yankees acquired left-handed starting pitcher James Paxton from the Mariners in a trade for a package of prospects, including Justus Sheffield, on Monday.

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Big Maple?

Yup. Big Maple.

That’s the nickname of James Paxton, new Yankees pitcher.

So, what’s the deal? What’s behind the nickname? Well, according to The Seattle Times’ Sean Quinton, it started with Paxton’s tattoo and Mariners bench coach Tim Bogard.

From Quinton:

The name stems from the big maple leaf tattoo Paxton has on his right forearm, representing his Canadian roots.

Paxton’s take? Whatever works.

“I guess. Bogey (Bogar) started that one. They call me Big Canuck or Big Maple. One of the two.”

What a scout says about Paxton

The Yankees acquired Paxton on Monday night for a package of three prospects, including highly-touted pitcher Justus Sheffield.

Here’s the Yankees’ press release on the deal:

The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired LHP James Paxton from Seattle in exchange for LHP Justus Sheffield, RHP Erik Swanson and OF Dom Thompson-Williams.

Paxton, 30, went 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA (160.1IP, 134H, 67ER, 42BB, 208K, 23HR) in 28 starts with Seattle in 2018, setting career highs in innings pitched and collecting the first 200-strikeout season of his career. He had eight starts with at least 10 strikeouts, tied for sixth-most in the Majors. Among American Leaguers with at least 150.0IP, his 3.27 FIP was ninth-lowest.

On May 8 at Toronto, Paxton threw the first no-hitter of his career (9.0IP, 3BB, 7K) and the sixth in Mariners history (five by individual pitchers and one combined no-hitter). A native of Ladner, British Columbia, Paxton joined the 1945 Philadelphia A’s Dick Fowler as the only two Canada-born pitchers to throw a no-hitter. The start immediately followed an outing in which he struck out a career-high 16 batters in 7.0IP on May 2 vs. Oakland.

Over parts of six Major League seasons with the Mariners (2013-18), Paxton has gone 41-26 with a 3.42 ERA (582.1IP, 523H, 244R/221ER, 168BB, 617K, 54HR) in 102 starts, posting a sub-4.00 ERA in each of those six seasons. Among American League pitchers with at least 500.0IP since the start of 2013, his 3.42 ERA ranks seventh, while his 3.11 FIP is fourth-lowest in the AL over the span.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.