Josh Fields (pitcher)

Joshua David Fields (born August 19, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers.

For the infielder, see Josh Fields (infielder).
Josh Fields
Fields with the Houston Astros in 2013
Free agent
Relief pitcher
Born: (1985-08-19) August 19, 1985
Hull, Georgia
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 2, 2013, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Win–loss record17–12
Earned run average3.71
Strikeouts312
Teams

Amateur career

High School

Fields attended Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Georgia.[1] His junior season in 2003 he was 10–1 with 114 strikeouts in 58 ​1⁄3 innings pitched and also batted .632 with 18 homers and 53 RBI, earning him the Athens Banner-Herald Northeast Georgia Player of the Year honors.[2] The following season, he ranked 36th in Baseball America's Top 100 Prep Prospects list while having a 6–0 record and 1.25 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 36 innings. He also batted .500, scored 35 runs and was successful in 31 of 32 stolen base attempts to win team MVP honors.[2]

Georgia Bulldogs

Fields attended the University of Georgia, where he played for the baseball team.[1] In 2005, as a freshman, he appeared in 17 games with a 3–1 record and 7.00 ERA and 49 strikeouts.[3] He was selected to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team and made school history when he struck out the first eight batters he faced against Winthrop on May 18.[2] In 2006, he appeared in 35 games with a 3–2 record and 1.80 ERA with 56 strikeouts against only 11 walks. He also had 15 saves.[3] In the 2006 College World Series he pitched two scoreless innings.[2] He was named a second-team All-American, first-time All-SEC and was a finalist for NCBWA Stopper of the Year.[2] In 2006, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox where he was named the league's Outstanding Relief Pitcher.[4]

In his junior season in 2007, Fields appeared in 26 games with a 1–6 record, 4.46 ERA, 45 strikeouts and seven saves.[3] Despite developing some mechanical problems that hurt his stats, he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2007 draft.[5] He did not sign and chose to return to school for his senior season.[6]

As a senior in 2008, Fields was 3–2 with a 3.38 ERA, 63 strikeouts and 18 saves in 36 games.[3] He did not allow an earned run in his first 23 ​2⁄3 innings.[2] The Bulldogs won the SEC Championship and advanced to the 2008 College World Series, where they finished as the runner-up to Fresno State.[7] Fields was honored as SEC Pitcher of the Year, 1st team All-SEC, 1st Team All-American and won the Stopper of the Year Award.[2] His 41 career saves are the most in SEC history and he was also a finalist for the Clemens Award.[8]

Professional career

Seattle Mariners

Fields was selected 20th overall in the first round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Seattle Mariners. He agreed to terms with the Mariners on February 13, 2009 after a lengthy negotiation period between the team and his advisor, Scott Boras.[9] His eventual signing bonus was $1.75 million.[10] He made his professional debut with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx of the Southern League on April 9, allowing three runs while retiring only two batters.[8] He pitched in 31 games with a 2–2 record and 6.48 ERA that season[11] despite being shut down in May for a brief period with a "dead arm" that was attributed to his long layoff between the draft and signing.[12] After the season, he was assigned to the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League,[13] where he allowed only two earned runs in 11 innings[11] and was selected to the "Rising Stars Game" featuring the top prospects in the league.[8]

Fields returned to the Diamond Jaxx for the 2010 season and was 1–1 with a 3.77 ERA in 21 appearances, which included six saves.[11] He again played for Peoria after the season and made his second straight appearance in the "Rising Stars Game."[8] In 2011, he was assigned to the Jackson Generals (the new name for the Diamond Jaxx) where he was 1–2 with a 3.81 ERA in 20 games.[11] On July 1, he was promoted to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League,[14] where he allowed 10 earned runs in 13 innings of work.[11]

Boston Red Sox

On July 31, 2011, Fields was traded to the Boston Red Sox (along with Érik Bédard) in a three-team transaction that sent Trayvon Robinson and Chih-Hsien Chiang to the Mariners, and Tim Federowicz, Stephen Fife and Juan Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Dodgers[15] The Red Sox assigned him to the Portland Sea Dogs of the Eastern League, where he pitched 17 ​1⁄3 innings in nine games and allowed six earned runs.[11]

Fields began the 2012 season with Portland, where he was 3–3 with a 2.62 ERA in 32 games and recorded eight saves.[11] He credited some changes made to his delivery with his improved numbers this season.[16] He was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League on August 5,[17] where he pitched 13 ​2⁄3 scoreless innings over 10 games.[11] He recorded the save in the deciding game of the International League Championship Series for Pawtucket.[8]

Following the 2012 season, he pitched for Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League, allowing eight runs in six innings over eight games.[8]

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros acquired Fields from the Red Sox as the first pick of the 2012 Rule 5 draft.[18] He made his major league debut on April 2, 2013 against the Texas Rangers. He faced one batter, Craig Gentry, in the top of the eighth inning and struck him out swinging.[19] He recorded his first major league win on July 23 against the Oakland Athletics with one scoreless inning of relief[20] and his first save on August 5 against the Red Sox.[21] Overall, he appeared in 41 games, pitched 38 innings and was 1–3 with a 4.97 ERA and five saves.[1]

Fields remained on the Astros roster for the 2013 season. He struck out seven consecutive batters across two appearances in July, one short of the franchise record.[8] In 54 games, he had a 4–6 record, a 4.45 ERA and saved four games.[1] The following season, in 2015, he pitched in another 54 games with a 4–1 record and 3.55 ERA[1] and led all Astros relievers in strikeouts per nine innings (11.90).[8] In 2016, he began the season with the Astros but allowed 12 earned runs in 19 ​1⁄3 innings[1] leading to him being demoted to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League on May 12.[22] In 23 games for the Grizzlies, he allowed only five runs in 27 ​1⁄3 innings for a 1.65 ERA.[11]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On August 1, 2016, Fields was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for minor league infielder Yordan Álvarez.[23] In 22 games, he pitched 19 ​1⁄3 innings and allowed only six earned runs for a 2.79 ERA.[24] He did not allow any runs in 2 ​1⁄3 innings in the playoffs for the Dodgers.[25][26] He signed a $1.05 million contract for 2017, avoiding salary arbitration.[27]

Fields struggled with his fastball velocity in spring training in 2017[28] and was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers to begin the season.[29] However, he was added to the active roster a few days later when Rich Hill was placed on the disabled list.[30] He pitched in 57 games for the Dodgers and was 5–0 with a 2.84 ERA.[1] He pitched in four games in the post-season for the Dodgers.[1] In Game Two of the 2017 NLDS against the Diamondbacks, he faced two batters in the top of the eighth inning, striking out J. D. Martinez before allowing a double to Daniel Descalso.[31] In two appearances in the 2017 NLCS vs the Cubs, he retired Javier Báez on a flyball to center field in Game Two[32] and Kris Bryant on a ground-out to second base in Game Four.[33] Fields made one appearance in the 2017 World Series against the Astros. In Game Two, he entered the game in the top of the 10th inning and allowed back-to-back home runs to José Altuve and Carlos Correa followed by a double to Yuli Gurriel. He was removed from the game without recording an out.[34] Fields signed a one-year, $2.2 million, contract with the Dodgers for 2018, avoiding arbitration.[35] He made 45 appearances in 2018, with a 2.20 ERA but did not make the Dodgers post-season roster.[1]

On March 7, 2019, Fields was designated for assignment by the Dodgers.[36]

Milwaukee Brewers

On March 19, 2019, Fields signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[37] Fields opted out of his contract and became a free agent on April 30, 2019.

Texas Rangers

On May 11, 2019, Fields signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, and was assigned to the Nashville Sounds.[38] With a 5.82 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 17 innings, he was released on June 29.[39]

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References
  1. "Josh Fields Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  2. "Joshua Fields bio". Georgia Bulldogs. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  3. "Joshua Field Baseball Statistics". Baseball Cube. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  4. "2006 CCBL Award Winners". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. Bowman, Mark (June 7, 2007). "Braves draft prep outfielder at No. 14". mlb.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  6. "Fields & Dodson return to Georgia Baseball". Scout.com. August 16, 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  7. "Fresno State Wins 2008 College Baseball National Championship". gobulldogs.com. June 25, 2008. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  8. "Joshua David Fields Bio Info". mlb.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  9. Street, Jim (February 13, 2009). "Mariners sign first-round pick Fields". mlb.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  10. Associated Press (February 16, 2009). "Mariners sign closer Fields from Georgia". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  11. "Josh Fields Fall, Minor & Winter League Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  12. Arnold, Kriby (May 19, 2009). "Josh Fields hasn't pitched in two weeks". Everett Herald. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  13. "Updated 2009 AFL Rosters". Baseball America. October 13, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  14. "Paxton Joins Generals; Paredes Activated; Vasquez, Fields To Tacoma". Our Sports Central. July 1, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  15. Doyle, Ricky (July 31, 2011). "Red Sox Acquire Pitcher Erik Bedard in Three-Team Trade With Mariners, Dodgers". NESN.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  16. Mahoney, Larry (August 1, 2012). "Sea Dogs closer Josh Fields serving quality outings thanks to his delivery". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  17. Maurer, Josh & Will Flemming (August 6, 2012). "Josh Fields Makes PawSox Debut". pawsoxblog.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  18. Associated Press (December 6, 2012). "Astros take pitcher Josh Fields from Boston in Rule 5 draft". USA Today. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  19. "April 2, 2013, Texas Rangers at Houston Astros Play-by-Play and Box Score". Baseball Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  20. "July 23, 2013, Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Play-by-Play and Box Score". Baseball Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  21. "August 5, 2013 Boston Red Sox at Houston Astros Play-By-Play and Box Score". Baseball Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  22. Kaplan, Jake (May 12, 2016). "Astros report: Josh Fields, Max Stassi sent down to Fresno". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  23. Weisman, Jon (August 1, 2016). "Dodgers acquire Josh Fields from Astros". dodgers.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  24. "2016 Los Angeles Dodgers Batting, Pitching & Fielding Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  25. "2016 NL Division Series (3-2): Los Angeles Dodgers over Washington Nationals". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  26. "2016 NLCS (4-2): Chicago Cubs (103-58) over Los Angeles Dodgers (91-71)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  27. Stephen, Eric (January 13, 2017). "Dodgers avoid arbitration with Luis Avilan, Josh Fields". SB Nation. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  28. Shafer, Jacob (March 16, 2017). "LOS ANGELES DODGERS: THE 5 MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYERS IN SPRING TRAINING SO FAR". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  29. McCullough, Andy (March 29, 2017). "Brandon McCarthy gets Dodgers' final rotation spot; Alex Wood goes to bullpen". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  30. McCullough, Andy (April 7, 2017). "Dodgers place Rich Hill on 10-day disabled list because of a blister on his pitching hand". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  31. "2017 National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2, Diamondbacks at Dodgers, October 7". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  32. "2017 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 2, Cubs at Dodgers, October 15". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  33. "2017 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 4, Dodgers at Cubs, October 18". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  34. "2017 World Series Game 2, Astros at Dodgers, October 25". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  35. Stephen, Eric (January 12, 2018). "Josh Fields avoids arbitration with reported 1-year, $2.2 million deal and will given opportunity to start in Jansen's absence due to injury". SB Nation. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  36. Adams, Steve (March 7, 2019). "Dodgers Claim Donnie Hart, Designate Josh Fields". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  37. Adams, Steve (March 19, 2019). "Brewers Sign Josh Fields". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  38. RotoWire Staff (May 11, 2019). "Rangers' Josh Fields: Inks minors deal with Rangers". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  39. "Josh Fields Stats, Highlights, Bio". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
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