Former Arizona pitcher James Farris, member of 2012 CWS title team, passes away at 33

Wildcat Nation lost one of its greatest over the weekend.

Former UA pitcher James Farris, who was part of the 2012 baseball team that won the school’s fourth national title, passed away on Sunday following a battle with liver cancer. He was 33.

We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of James Farris.

James leaves behind a lasting legacy on and off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches. pic.twitter.com/fLzMGh0idm

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) August 18, 2025

Farris played

for the Wildcats from 2011-14, appearing in 48 games with 47 starts. That includes in the championship-clinching win over South Carolina at the College World Series in 2012 when he threw 7.2 scoreless innings in a 4-1 win.

A native of Arkansas, Farris graduated from Highland High School in Gilbert before coming to the UA. He was drafted twice, passing on being a 15th-round selection of the Houston Astros in 2013 before the Chicago Cubs took him in the 9^th round in 2014.

Farris reached Triple-A in 2017 in the Colorado Rockies organization but was unable to crack the majors, retiring from baseball after that and entering private business. He married his wife Madeline in 2022 and leaves behind a 2-year-old son, Gatlin.

A GoFundMe page started by a family friend in May remains active, with donations going toward Farris’ family.