| Joshua Palacios | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Palacios with theNew Hampshire Fisher Cats in 2019 | |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1995-07-30)July 30, 1995 (age 29) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 9, 2021, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Batting average | .230 |
| Home runs | 12 |
| Runs batted in | 55 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Joshua John Palacios (born July 30, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballoutfielder in thePittsburgh Pirates organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theToronto Blue Jays andWashington Nationals.
Palacios attended theHigh School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology in his hometown ofBrooklyn, New York, and was selected as the 2013 New York City High School Player of the Year.[1] He was selected by theCincinnati Reds in the 31st round of the2014 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and instead attendedSan Jacinto Junior College.[2] In his first season of college baseball, Palaciosbatted .376 with sixdoubles and 26runs batted in (RBIs).[3] In the offseason, Palacios signed aletter of intent to transfer toAuburn University for the 2016 season.[4] As asophomore with San Jacinto, he hit .364 with 12 doubles, ninetriples, 36 RBIs, and 29stolen bases. At the end of the season, Palacios was named the 37th best junior college prospect in the country.[3] In his lone season with Auburn, Palacios batted .385 with fivehome runs, 23 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases.[3]
TheToronto Blue Jays selected Palacios in the fourth round of the2016 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed for a $438,100signing bonus.[5] He was assigned to theRookie-levelGulf Coast League Blue Jays and appeared in 13 games before being promoted to theShort Season-AVancouver Canadians. After 28 games in Vancouver, Palacios was promoted to theClass-ALansing Lugnuts, where he finished his 2016 campaign. In 50 total games across three levels, Palacios batted .330 with 18 RBIs.[2] He was assigned to Lansing for the entire 2017 season, and hit .280 with two home runs, 39 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in 91 games.[2]
On November 20, 2020, the Blue Jays added Palacios to their40-man roster.[6] On April 9, 2021, Palacios was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[7] He made his MLB debut that night as the starting right fielder against theLos Angeles Angels. Palacios was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo on May 3, 2021.[8] He was designated for assignment on April 11, 2022.
On April 15, 2022, theWashington Nationals claimed Palacios from the Blue Jays off ofwaivers.[9] On December 1, 2022, Palacios was sent outright off of the 40-man roster.[10]
On December 7, 2022, at theWinter Meetings, thePittsburgh Pirates selected Palacios from the Nationals in the minor league phase of theRule 5 draft.[11] He began the 2023 season with the Double-AAltoona Curve, but was quickly promoted to the Triple-AIndianapolis Indians. In 21 combined games, he hit .368/.433/.598 with 4 home runs, 22 RBI, and 4 stolen bases.
On May 9, 2023, the Pirates selected Palacios' contract.[12] On June 2, Palacios hit his first Major League home run atPNC Park against theSt. Louis Cardinals. On July 30, he hit a walk-off two–run homer off ofAndrew Vasquez of thePhiladelphia Phillies.[13] In doing so, he became the first player in Pirates history to hit a walk–off home run on his birthday.[14] In 91 games for the Pirates, Palacios batted .239/.279/.413 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI.
Palacios was optioned to Triple–A Indianapolis to begin the 2024 season.[15] In 23 appearances for Pittsburgh, he batted .224/.333/.343 with two home runs, nine RBI, and one stolen base.
Palacios wasdesignated for assignment by the Pirates on March 23, 2025.[16] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis on March 29.[17]
Palacios represented theNetherlands national baseball team at the2023 World Baseball Classic, along with his brotherRichie.[18] In nine at-bats over four games, Palacios hit .111/.200/.111 with one RBI and three strikeouts.[19]
His brother,Richie, was drafted by theCleveland Indians in the third round of the2018 Major League Baseball draft.[20] His uncle,Rey, played inMajor League Baseball for theKansas City Royals from 1988 to 1990.[21] Palacios' father is Puerto Rican,[22] and mother is fromCuraçao, and thus he was eligible to play for theNetherlands national baseball team and was selected to play for them in the2023 World Baseball Classic.[23]