Josh Spence
Encyclopedia
Joshua Patrick William Spence (born 22 January 1988 in Grovedale, Victoria
, Australia
) is an Australia
n professional baseball
pitcher
for the San Diego Padres
of Major League Baseball
. He was drafted by the Padres in the ninth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft
out of Arizona State University
. He was also drafted on two previous occasions, in 2008
by the Arizona Diamondbacks
and 2009
by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
, but did not sign either time.
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.
Spence made his debut on 25 June 2011 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. He became the 29th Australian to reach the Majors and first pitcher since Rich Thompson
debuted for the Angels in 2007.
Grovedale, Victoria
Grovedale is a mainly residential southern suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia.The suburb is bounded by the Waurn Ponds Creek, Rossack Drive, Boundary Road and Barwarre Road.-Toponomy:...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
) is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He was drafted by the Padres in the ninth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft
2010 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.-First-round selections:The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team picking first.Key...
out of Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
. He was also drafted on two previous occasions, in 2008
2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
and 2009
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, but did not sign either time.
He was called up by San Diego on 21 June 2011, after they designated Luis Durango
Luis Durango
Luis A. Durango is a Panamanian professional baseball outfielder in the Atlanta Braves organization. He has also been a member of the Panama national baseball team....
for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man roster.
Spence made his debut on 25 June 2011 in the top of the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves, he faced three All-Stars in Jason Heyward
Jason Heyward
Jason Alias Heyward , nicknamed J-Hey and J-Hey-Kid, is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Atlanta Braves. He throws and bats left-handed....
, Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
and Brian McCann, setting them down in order. He became the 29th Australian to reach the Majors and first pitcher since Rich Thompson
Rich Thompson (pitcher, born 1984)
Richard Graeme Thompson is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
debuted for the Angels in 2007.