Josh Spence
Josh Spence | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Geelong, Victoria, Australia | 22 January 1988|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
24 June, 2011, for the San Diego Padres | |
Last MLB appearance | |
11 May, 2012, for the San Diego Padres | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 0–3 |
Earned run average | 3.15 |
Strikeouts | 41 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Joshua Patrick William Spence (born 22 January 1988) is an Australian former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres.
Playing career
[edit]Spence enrolled at Central Arizona College, and played for their baseball team in 2007 and 2008. He was selected in 25th round of the 2008 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks but did not sign.[citation needed] He transferred to Arizona State University to play for the Sun Devils for the 2009 season going 10–1 with a 2.37 ERA, where he joined Mike Leake and Seth Blair in the Sun Devils' starting rotation. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but did not sign.[1] He sat out the 2010 ASU season with an undetermined injury. After the 2010 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2]
San Diego Padres
[edit]Spence was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the ninth round, with the 274th overall selection, of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, and signed with them for a $100,000 bonus.[citation needed]
He was called up by San Diego on 21 June 2011, after they designated Luis Durango for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man roster.[3] Spence made his debut on 25 June in the top of the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves; he faced three All-Stars in Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones, and Brian McCann, setting them down in order. Spence became the 29th Australian to reach the Majors and first pitcher since Rich Thompson debuted for the Angels in 2007.[4]
Spence made 11 appearances for San Diego in 2012, recording a 4.35 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 10+1⁄3 innings pitched. On November 2, 2012, Spence was designated for assignment by the Padres.[5]
New York Yankees
[edit]The New York Yankees claimed Spence off waivers on 6 November 2012.[6] He was designated for assignment by the Yankees on 14 December.
Miami Marlins
[edit]Spence signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on 29 December 2013. On 1 April 2014, he was assigned to Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. Spence was released by the Marlins organization on 20 May.
Amarillo Sox
[edit]Spence signed with the Amarillo Sox of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball following his release.
Coaching career
[edit]San Diego Padres organization
[edit]In 2023, Spence was hired as the pitching coach for the San Diego Padres short season affiliate
Milwaukee Brewers organization
[edit]In 2024, Spence was hired as the pitching coach for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. On 5 February 2025, Spence was announced as the pitching coach for Milwaukee's Double-A affiliate, the Biloxi Shuckers.[7]
Pitching style
[edit]Spence is a finesse pitcher, relying on pitch location and movement rather than overpowering speed. His two main pitches are a sinker averaging about 84 mph and a slider averaging 78. He also has a changeup at 76-77 mph that he uses often against right-handed hitters.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Spence's brother, Liam, played college baseball at Tennessee and was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[9][10] Their middle brother, Nic, played baseball at Cincinnati.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Martinez, Robert (22 November 2012). "Rock Falls graduate regains control in Arizona: Blair fall pitching project". SaukValley.com. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ^ "Josh Spence". pointstreak.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ Dierkes, Tim. "Padres Designate Luis Durango For Assignment". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ "Flintoff & Dunn's AUSTRALIAN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL". Flintoff and Dunn. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ "Padres Designate Spence, Tekotte For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ "Error - Winnipeg Free Press". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ "Brewers' 2025 minor league coaching staff keeps stellar group mostly intact". reviewingthebrew.com. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
- ^ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Joshua Spence". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ a b Potkey, Rhiannon (21 June 2021). "From Australia with glove: Josh Spence watches brother Liam repeat CWS experience". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ Wilson, Mike (12 July 2021). "Chicago Cubs pick Tennessee baseball shortstop Liam Spence in fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- 1988 births
- Living people
- San Diego Padres players
- Arizona State Sun Devils baseball players
- Australian expatriate baseball players in the United States
- Central Arizona Vaqueros baseball players
- Cotuit Kettleers players
- Arizona League Padres players
- Eugene Emeralds players
- Fort Wayne TinCaps players
- San Antonio Missions players
- Tucson Padres players
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Major League Baseball players from Australia
- Sportspeople from Geelong
- Windy City ThunderBolts players
- Amarillo Thunderheads players
- Peoria Javelinas players
- Gigantes del Cibao players
- Australian expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic
- New Orleans Zephyrs players
- Minor league baseball coaches
- Sportsmen from Victoria (state)
- 21st-century Australian sportsmen