James Hoffpauir

James Micah Hoffpauir is a professional baseball player from the United States of America who plays as a first baseman. Hoffpauir attended the Jacksonville High School and graduated in 2000 after which he was picked by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 44th round of the 2000 MLB Draft, while still in college. Hoffpauir decided to forego his chance and return to college to complete his education at the Lamar University.

At Lamar, Hoffpauir had four wonderful years and graduated with school records on all the major offensive categories. In his junior year, he decided to be a part of the MLB Draft again and this time, the Chicago Cubs picked him up in the 13th round of the 2002 MLB Draft after he graduated in 2001.

Hoffpauir began in the A-league with the Boise Hawks and batted at .301 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs. This performance forced the Cubs to send him to the Daytona Cubs, their other A-league team. Despite a lower batting average of .254 and 8 home runs and 58 RBI, Hoffpauir was propelled directly to the AAA-League with the Iowa Cubs. He played just one game before being sent down to the AA-League with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. 11 home runs and 75 RBIs saw him go back to the Iowa Cubs in 2005 where he had a .268 batting average over the season. However, he only hit 3 home runs and 47 RBIs leading to a relegation to the AA-League again.

In 2006, he started in the AA-League but was moved back up to the Iowa Cubs and went on to have one of his best years in terms of offensive plays. He had 22 home runs and 80 RBIs to add to his .267 batting average. The only reason that Hoffpauir didn't make it to the MLB team roster that year was probably the presence of future teammate Derrek Lee. There were no positions that he could fill as all were filled with worthy players.

He went back to the AAA league and ended the season on the disabled list. However, he had already done enough before getting injured as he was batting at .316 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI in 82 games for the season. Daryle Ward's injury in 2008 resulted in a call up for Hoffpauir and his debut came as a pinch hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He returned to the Iowa Cubs later in the year where he hit 4 home runs in a single game to tie the Pacific Coast record. He was later recalled to the MLB side and hit a 5 for 5 against the Mets that included two home runs.