| Josh Spence | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1988-01-22)22 January 1988 (age 37) Geelong, Victoria,Australia | |
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 atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Joshua Patrick William Spence (born 22 January 1988) is an Australian former professionalbaseballpitcher. He pitched inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSan Diego Padres.
Spence enrolled atCentral Arizona College, and played for their baseball team in 2007 and 2008. He was selected in 25th round of the2008 draft by theArizona Diamondbacks but did not sign.[citation needed] He transferred toArizona State University to play for theSun Devils for the 2009 season going 10–1 with a 2.37 ERA, where he joinedMike Leake andSeth Blair in the Sun Devils'starting rotation. He was selected in the 3rd round of the2009 draft by theLos 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 playedcollegiate summer baseball with theCotuit Kettleers of theCape Cod Baseball League.[2]
Spence was drafted by theSan Diego Padres in the ninth round, with the 274th overall selection, of the2010 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 designatedLuis 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 inJason Heyward,Chipper Jones, andBrian McCann, setting them down in order. Spence became the 29th Australian to reach the Majors and first pitcher sinceRich 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 across10+1⁄3 innings pitched. On November 2, 2012, Spence wasdesignated for assignment by the Padres.[5]
TheNew York Yankees claimed Spence offwaivers on 6 November 2012.[6] He was designated for assignment by the Yankees on 14 December, following the signing ofKevin Youkilis.[7] Spence cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on 18 December.[8] In 33 appearances for Scranton in 2013, he compiled a 3.98 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 43 innings of work. Spence was released by the Yankees organization on 3 August 2013.
On 29 December 2013, Spence signed a minor league contract with theMiami Marlins.[9] On 1 April 2014, he was assigned to Triple-ANew Orleans Zephyrs, for whom he posted a 3.97 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 11 appearances out of thebullpen. Spence was released by the Marlins organization on 20 May.
Spence signed with theAmarillo Sox of theAmerican Association of Independent Professional Baseball following his release. In 3 starts for the Sox, he struggled to an 18.69 ERA with 3 strikeouts across4+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Spence finished the 2014 season with theWindy City ThunderBolts of theFrontier League. In 14 starts for the team, he registered a 1-10 record and 5.23 ERA with 58 strikeouts across75+2⁄3 innings pitched.
In 2023, Spence was hired as the pitching coach for theSan Diego Padres short season affiliate
In 2024, Spence was hired as the pitching coach for theWisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A affiliate of theMilwaukee Brewers. On 5 February 2025, Spence was announced as the pitching coach for Milwaukee's Double-A affiliate, theBiloxi Shuckers.[10]
Spence is afinesse pitcher, relying on pitch location and movement rather than overpowering speed. His two main pitches are asinker averaging about 84 mph and aslider averaging 78. He also has achangeup at 76-77 mph that he uses often against right-handed hitters.[11]
Spence's brother,Liam, playedcollege baseball atTennessee and was selected by theChicago Cubs in the fifth round of the2021 Major League Baseball draft.[12][13] Their middle brother, Nic, played baseball atCincinnati.[12]
