Joshua Michael Osich (born September 3, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2015 and also played for the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs. He is one of the only players in MLB history who is of Basque descent.

Josh Osich
Pitcher
Born: (1988-09-03) September 3, 1988 (age 36)
Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
July 3, 2015, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
July 26, 2021, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Win–loss record13–6
Earned run average5.02
Strikeouts199
Teams

College career

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Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Osich graduated from Bishop Kelly High School in 2007.[1] He played college baseball at Oregon State University in Corvallis, but missed the 2010 season, recovering from Tommy John surgery.[2] Despite the injury, he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the seventh round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[3] Osich did not sign and returned to Oregon State and in his final collegiate season in 2011, he threw a no-hitter against UCLA.[4] He was then taken by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round (207th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft and signed.[5]

Professional career

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San Francisco Giants (2015–2018)

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Osich was called up to the majors for the first time on July 3, 2015, pitching one scoreless inning of relief against the Washington Nationals.[6][7] On July 11, 2015, Osich earned his first major league win in his fifth relief appearance, pitching 13 of an inning against the Philadelphia Phillies.[8] Osich didn't allow a hit until his eighth major league appearance. Osich was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on July 22, 2015.[9] Osich was recalled to the Giants on August 7, 2015, when pitcher Mike Leake was put on the DL.[10][11][12] In 2015, Osich appeared in 35 games, recording a 2.20 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 2823 innings pitched.

In 2016, Osich was named to the opening day Major League roster for the Giants.[13] On July 28, Osich was placed on DL.[14] He finished the season appearing in 59 games, posting an ERA of 4.71 in 36+13 innings. Osich posted an ERA of 6.23 in 54 games in 2017, with 43 strikeouts in 43+13 innings. He began the 2018 season in the bullpen before being placed on the disabled list on April 20.[15] He was sent to the minors on May 25.[16] He ended the season having appeared in 12 games, with an 8.25 ERA.[17] Osich was designated for assignment on February 12, 2019, following the acquisition of Jose Lopez.[18]

Baltimore Orioles

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On February 19, 2019, Osich was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.[19] He was designated for assignment on March 8, 2019, following the acquisition of Dwight Smith Jr.

Chicago White Sox (2019)

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On March 11, 2019, Osich was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox.[20] Osich appeared in 57 games (all in relief) with the 2019 White Sox, recording a 4–0 record with a 4.66 ERA while striking out 61 batters in 67+23 innings pitched.

Boston Red Sox (2020)

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On October 31, 2019, Osich was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.[21] He was non-tendered on December 2, 2019, and became a free agent.[22] On December 4, Osich re-signed with Boston on a one-year major league contract.[23] He made his debut for the Red Sox in the team's second game of the delayed-start 2020 season, pitching a scoreless inning in relief on July 25.[24] With the 2020 Red Sox, Osich compiled a 1–1 record in 13 appearances totaling 15+23 innings pitched with a 5.74 ERA.

Chicago Cubs (2020)

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On August 31, 2020, Osich was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Zach Bryant.[25] With the 2020 Chicago Cubs, Osich appeared in 4 games, compiling a 0–0 record with 10.13 ERA and 4 strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched.[26] On September 30, 2020, Osich was designated for assignment by the Cubs shortly before their Wild Card matchup against the Miami Marlins.[27]

Cincinnati Reds (2021)

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On December 21, 2020, Osich signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.[28] On June 19, 2021, Osich was selected to the active roster.[29] In 17 appearances for the Reds, Osich posted a 5.02 ERA with 9 strikeouts. On July 11, 2021, Osich recorded his only MLB save by pitching the final inning of a 3-1 Reds victory over the Brewers.[30] On July 28, Osich was designated for assignment by the Reds.[31] He elected free agency on July 30.

On May 16, 2022, Osich announced his retirement from professional baseball via Instagram.[32][33]

References

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  1. ^ "Bishop Kelly graduate Josh Osich makes MLB debut". Idaho Statesman. July 3, 2015.
  2. ^ Churchill, Jason (January 24, 2010). "Beavers' Osich undergoes Tommy John surgery". ESPN.com.
  3. ^ "MLB Draft 2010: Oregon State pitcher Josh Osich picked by Los Angeles Angels". The Oregonian. June 8, 2010.
  4. ^ Schnell, Lindsay (April 30, 2011). "Oregon State's Josh Osich throws no-hitter as No. 3 Beavers beat No. 24 UCLA 2-0 on road". The Oregonian.
  5. ^ Fentress, Aaron (June 7, 2011). "MLB draft: Oregon State pitcher Josh Osich selected in Round 6 by San Francisco". The Oregonian.
  6. ^ Baggarly, Andrew (July 3, 2015). "Josh Osich considered quitting, Ryan Lollis never did and now both are big leaguers for Giants". San Jose Mercury News.
  7. ^ Ostler, Scott (July 8, 2015). "Giants reliever Josh Osich thriving since his call-up". San Francisco Chronicle.
  8. ^ Kroner, Steve (July 11, 2015). "Giants pound out 15 hits, beat Phils again". San Francisco Chronicle.
  9. ^ Baggarly, Andrew (July 22, 2015). "Giants notes: Affeldt activated and Osich optioned, but a new era is rising in the bullpen". San Jose Mercury News.
  10. ^ Shea, John (August 7, 2015). "Giants Splash: Mike Leake to DL — Bruce Bochy hoping for 'nine completely healthy starts'". San Francisco Chronicle.
  11. ^ Kawahara, Matt (August 15, 2015). "Bochy says Giants have 'tough decisions' looming for pitching staff". The Sacramento Bee.
  12. ^ Steward, Carl (August 21, 2015). "The future of Josh Osich is now, it looks like the Giants will survive this trip, more odds and ends". San Jose Mercury News.
  13. ^ "Giants set 2016 Opening Day roster". MLB.com (Press release). April 2, 2016. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  14. ^ Shea, John. "Giants moves: Joe Panik called up, Josh Osich to DL". SF Gate. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  15. ^ "Giants' Josh Osich: Lands on disabled list - CBSSports.com".
  16. ^ "Giants' Josh Osich: Returns to minors - CBSSports.com".
  17. ^ "Josh Osich Stats | ESPN".
  18. ^ "Giants Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. February 2019. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  19. ^ Trezza, Joe (February 19, 2019). "Mountcastle tries 1B as O's preach versatility". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  20. ^ Duber, Vinnie (March 11, 2019). "White Sox add bullpen option Josh Osich as Michael Kopech officially goes on 60-day DL". NBCSports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  21. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. October 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  22. ^ Lauren Campbell (December 2, 2019). "Marco Hernandez Not Among 27 Red Sox Players To Be Tendered 2020 Contracts". NESN. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  23. ^ "Red Sox re-sign Hernández, Osich after non-tenders". MLB.com. December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  24. ^ "Orioles vs. Red Sox". ESPN.com. July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  25. ^ "Trying to 'address things we haven't done particularly well,' Cubs GM Jed Hoyer adds lefty relievers, righty hitters at deadline". August 31, 2020.
  26. ^ "Josh Osich Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com". MLB.com.
  27. ^ "Cubs Select Josh Phegley, Designate Josh Osich - MLB Trade Rumors".
  28. ^ "Reds Sign Josh Osich, Matt Ball To Minor League Deals - MLB Trade Rumors".
  29. ^ "Reds Move Mike Moustakas To 60-Day IL, Select Josh Osich - MLB Trade Rumors".
  30. ^ "Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, July 11, 2021".
  31. ^ "Reds Designate Josh Osich For Assignment - MLB Trade Rumors".
  32. ^ "This Day In Sports: An Osich anniversary, and a Stefanic update". ktvb.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  33. ^ Osich, Josh [@josich22] (May 16, 2022). "I just want to thank all my family, friends, teammates, and fans for all the support through the years". Retrieved May 15, 2024 – via Instagram.
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