James Nelson’s Journey from Release to Record-Breaking MVP: A Partner League Powerhouse
When James Nelson was released by the Yankees in 2022, it could’ve marked the quiet end to a once-promising career. Instead, it lit a fire. What followed was a relentless pursuit of excellence across independent and international leagues, culminating in one of the most dominant seasons the Atlantic League has ever seen.
But Nelson didn’t have to navigate the uncertain waters of free agency alone. Baseball runs deep in his family-his uncle, Chris Nelson, was a first-round pick by the Rockies back in 2004. Both came through Redan High in Stone Mountain, Georgia, a program that’s quietly become a pipeline for talent, producing the likes of Taj Bradley, Domonic Brown, and the Phillips brothers-Brandon and P.J.
That last name turned out to be pivotal.
When Nelson was looking for his next opportunity, P.J. Phillips-then managing the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League-offered him a shot.
Nelson didn’t waste it. In a late-season stint in 2022, he tore the cover off the ball, slashing .400/.476/.855 with six homers in just 17 games.
On a roster stacked with former big leaguers, Nelson wasn’t just keeping pace-he was leading the charge.
“P.J. took me under his wing,” Nelson said. And that mentorship would continue.
Phillips moved on to manage the New Jersey Jackals in the Frontier League in 2023, and Nelson followed. What happened next was nothing short of spectacular.
Nelson posted a .388/.481/.713 line, racked up 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in just 91 games, and shattered the Frontier League record with 111 runs scored. He averaged nearly three total bases per game and was a no-doubt MVP.
In 2024, Nelson took his talents to the Mexican League, where he continued to produce, earning a North Division All-Star nod with Durango while hitting .297/.425/.459. It was another strong campaign-but it was just the warm-up act for what came next.
In 2025, Nelson returned to the Atlantic League and delivered a season for the record books. Over 124 games, he slashed .315/.395/.575, blasted 34 home runs, and swiped 53 bases.
That’s right-a 30-50 season. To put that in perspective: in the Atlantic League’s 26-year history, no one had ever posted a 30-30 season.
Only three players had even reached 20-20.
Nelson didn’t just rewrite the record books-he tore out the old pages and started fresh. His historic performance earned him the Atlantic League MVP award and the title of Baseball America’s 2025 Independent/Partner Leagues Player of the Year.
“I knew he was going to hit 30 home runs,” said Phillips. “There were more games, and he hits better pitching.
In a league that throws more strikes, I knew that he’d hit 30 homers. I thought 30-40 was possible.
For him to steal 53, I didn’t expect that.”
That speed wasn’t always part of Nelson’s game. During his time in affiliated ball-first with the Marlins, who drafted him in the 15th round in 2016, and later with the Yankees-he never stole more than 16 bases in a season. But the potential was there, and he credits a baserunning coach during his Yankees stint with helping unlock it.
“I think my time with the Yankees, a baserunning coach helped me open my mindset about baserunning,” Nelson said. “Once I got a little more experience with it, and saw how pitchers move, it helped me open up.”
Now 28, Nelson has little left to prove in the partner leagues. Two MVPs in two full seasons.
A record-setting year in one of the most competitive independent circuits around. And still, the goal hasn’t changed.
“I still have one goal: to make it to the major leagues,” Nelson said. “Every day I’m trying to get better and stay consistent to reach my goal.”
Phillips, who’s watched Nelson evolve from a released minor leaguer into the most dangerous player in the Atlantic League, knows what’s next-and he’s rooting for it.
“That’s the goal. I don’t want to see James any more,” Phillips said with a grin. “I believe if he gets that last shot, he’ll take advantage of it.”
If Nelson’s recent seasons are any indication, he won’t just take advantage-he’ll make the most of it.