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Post by sanchez2 on Jun 22, 2011 11:10:33 GMT 10
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Post by sanchez2 on Jun 22, 2011 11:11:57 GMT 10
I thought it deserved its own thread, maye this adds fuel to the thought of going the college route?
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Post by johne on Jun 22, 2011 11:37:40 GMT 10
I thought it deserved its own thread, maye this adds fuel to the thought of going the college route? The college v sign has been and will continue to be debated. What I would find more interesting is if any scouts made offers to Josh while he was a 16/17/18yo playing out here? An interesting stat is that out of the 29 Australian's that have now made it to the major leagues only 5 have spent time at College. Jeff Williams (but signed out of australia) Michael Nakamura (but signed out of australia) Craig Shipley (drafted) Shayne Bennett (drafted) Josh Spence (drafted)
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Post by wyatt33 on Jun 22, 2011 12:34:02 GMT 10
Excuse my ignorance but where did Josh ply his trade in Melbourne and what college did he go too? With the college world series currently being played on espn it's sucked me in a bit lately.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2011 12:40:01 GMT 10
He's a product of the Geelong Baycats (summer) and Guild All-Stars (winter) clubs, wyatt33.
Central Arizona College, then Arizona State.
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Post by pirates on Jun 22, 2011 12:42:13 GMT 10
Just fantastic to see him work his way through the ranks. Remember seeing him as an under 16 at the nationals in Redlands QLD. From what I’ve been told was he just did not have the velocity to be looked at being signed when throwing low 80’s as a teenager. Now I read he is touching 90 plus all his other off speed pitchers at 23. Well done to him for following his passion and working his way through. college is a great avenue for some players.
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Post by gj on Jun 22, 2011 13:23:01 GMT 10
Scouts were not interested in him as a junior because of perceived lack of velocity. He has been the subject of numerous discussions about scouts only looking at their guns and not looking at a guy that genuinely knows how to throw. Congratulations to Josh - one of the nicest guys anyone could wish to meet. Credit to himself, Deb & Tony.
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Post by JRA on Jun 22, 2011 17:34:42 GMT 10
Funnily enough, there is a young Cairns pitcher at MLBAAP this year by the name of Josh Spence.
I think you're spot on there gj, I think this is why we see a large chunk of pitchers get lit up in their rookie year from Australia. I think the college route is far better as far as recognition goes to better baseball players rather than raw skills. Plus, when all is said and done about your baseball career whether you make it or not, you have a tertiary education behind you
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Post by johne on Jun 22, 2011 17:57:22 GMT 10
....Plus, when all is said and done about your baseball career whether you make it or not, you have a tertiary education behind you How many college kids actually come back with a degree of any kind? That would be another interesting stat to find out.
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Post by behindthedish on Jun 23, 2011 10:13:06 GMT 10
Fantastic news for Josh, his family and the broader Geelong Baseball Club who nurtured and developed him as a junior. I know Russsell Stewart would be wrapt, like all of us back home are.
GJ, spot on post, sadly it's the same for hitters. If you can't clear the yard, then it becomes very difficult.
Johne, on the the flipside, of those who were signed (not drafted), how many were released, that would be another interesting stat?
Still think the college path is the way to go.
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Post by gj on Jun 23, 2011 11:23:49 GMT 10
"The second player from the 2010 draft class to reach the majors is little-known San Diego Padres southpaw Josh Spence. Selected in the ninth round, Spence is a soft-tossing lefty with a deep a***nal of secondary pitches. He has a great feel for the pitching craft."
Interesting quote from the fantasy baseball website that illustrates really well the point about knowing how to pitch rather than throwing hard.
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Post by stuartcapel on Jun 23, 2011 11:51:42 GMT 10
To further illustrate your point on a local front GJ, I remember watching a left-hander for the Reds putting up some good numbers without having the golden arm as far as velocity goes.
And if I remember ABL stats correctly, I think you will find that Brendan Ratcliffe had the lowest ERA of any Reds pitcher who appeared in 25 or more games.
All the best to Josh!!
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Post by johne on Jun 23, 2011 12:03:46 GMT 10
... Johne, on the the flipside, of those who were signed (not drafted), how many were released, that would be another interesting stat? ..... Everyone who signs gets released at some time, even guys that get to the big leagues. It is really up to the individual and what their own goals are. The stats (for Australian Players) suggest that if your goal is to get to the major leagues then signing out of Australia gives you a greater chance. No to get back to the thread topic which is Josh here is a link to his interview on sen yesterday. www.sen.com.au/audioplayer/Audio/Josh-Spence-interview/2532
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Post by Marshy on Jun 23, 2011 13:02:42 GMT 10
I don't know Josh personally, but if he continues to handle himself as well as what he did in that interview, he's going to go a long way!
It was obvious that he was filled with excitement, yet he still answered the questions articulately and with meaning. He seems so humble and as a result I am sure he will become a well loved member of any team he plays in.
If you're reading this Josh, best of luck mate and I am sure I can speak for most members of the forum when I say "We're all right behind you - even if you are playing for San Diego!!".
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2011 14:08:50 GMT 10
Giants' left-armer Barry Zito is one of those who who has forged a pretty decent career in the sport despite topping out at 85-90 mph, which I believe is the range of the Josh Spence fastball these days.
One of our Forum supporters is a well-known former "soft-tossing lefty" who might like to offer some insights into the attributes that have enabled Josh to do so wonderfully well.
An array of pitches delivered from different angles, great command, poise and personal drive are some that come to mind.
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Post by barb05 on Jun 23, 2011 16:26:43 GMT 10
Greg Maddux rarely touched 90mph and when once asked what his best pitch was, he replied "a first pitch groundball"
I've been following josh's stats since the amazing numbers he put up in his early college days and he's really stepped up at every level he's played at - notably a 160 pitch effort at the college world series which he backed up three days later. I believe he became somewhat of a spokesperson at Arizona state for focusing on studying for the future after he turned down his fourth round draft selection to go back and finish his studies.
In my sporadic updates I've never seen anything but glowing praise for his baseball ability, being a great Clubhouse guy and a role model to all young players coming through the sun devils program.
It's a wonderful testament to the Spence family and the people that have helped develop Josh's baseball ability and personal maturity that he's not only got to the show, but that he's also left a lasting impression on those he's played with and for. Quote the sun devils coach Pat Murphy "in my 22 years of Division I baseball, he's possibly the most special kid I've ever been around"
Nice guys don't always finish last, go get em Josh.
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Post by frita on Jun 23, 2011 20:38:28 GMT 10
Great news for Josh. At 23 he has a huge career ahead of him. All pitchers must show some verlocity to get noticed. After that the ability "to pitch" is probably more important.
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spider
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Post by spider on Jun 23, 2011 21:51:07 GMT 10
Both the Twins and Redsox made offers to Josh at the nationals in geelong, however he opted for the college route
congrats to him hope he has a long career
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Post by Chilli Wil on Jun 24, 2011 13:05:13 GMT 10
The Bravos v Pads game is the MLB TV free game tomorrow, pity it starts at midday our time. To see the free game you do have to sign up, but you don't have to order a subscription. For those not attending a game tomorrow, might be worth it to log in and see if Josh gets a run; Braves have been pretty hot of late so might get to Stauffer early!
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Post by pirate22 on Jun 25, 2011 14:50:38 GMT 10
He's done it.... Josh came in to throw the ninth against the Braves and retired the 3 hitters he faced: striking out Hayward; Chipper Jones popping up to 2nd base and Brian McCann grounded out..... for the record his first ever pitch in the Majors was an 83mph fast ball on the inside corner for a ball..... well done Josh! Big sigh of relief at the end of the game and his team mate Orlando Hudson put his head on his chest checking his heart beat out... also great stroke of luck for the 30 Aussie kids on tour in the stands watching the game...
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Post by texasleaguer on Jun 25, 2011 16:04:51 GMT 10
Great to see Josh do well 1st up. He looked as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Unbelievable luck in the Timing that his debut matched the Southern Stars Tour boys at Petco planned months ago.
Look for some good public exposure on this from ABL/ABF, the organiser of the boys on Tour is Mr. MLB Australia who has some good San Diego contacts also. Early in the broadcast the boys did the "T" sign to get some mileage on Channel Nine Today show I would think.
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Post by Goblin on Jun 25, 2011 16:16:44 GMT 10
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Post by p26 on Jun 25, 2011 19:26:33 GMT 10
Awesome stuff. Let's hope that's the first of many successful outings.
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Post by hightower on Jun 25, 2011 20:00:20 GMT 10
Don't know the kid from a bar of soap and have never seen him throw live but I think this is an awesome effort. Well done. Acheiving the stuff that we all dreamed of.
LC51
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Post by texasleaguer on Jun 25, 2011 20:18:13 GMT 10
Go #44.. Luv that number
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2011 13:14:28 GMT 10
Our boy is at it again, entering the game in the seventh, with a runner at first, none out and the Padres still in the game at 1-3 to Atlanta.
After Spence lets the Braves know that he has a pickoff, Conrad strikes out swinging, Schafer goes down looking and Heyward flies out to leftfield.
Hmmm. Six Major League hitters faced, for six outs (three of them strikeouts).
It doesn't get any better than this, even though the Braves scoot away in the eighth with Josh relieved after another masterful cameo.
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Post by Chilli Wil on Jun 26, 2011 15:26:31 GMT 10
Good to see Bud Black had confidence in Spence when the game was close. If he keeps setting people down the way he has so far, he'll be a good addition to the Pad's 'pen.
JJ for CY YOUNG 2011!! Go BRAVOS (except when Spence is throwing!!)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2011 22:01:01 GMT 10
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Post by trober on Jun 27, 2011 8:53:44 GMT 10
Spence had another quality outing this morning, retiring the 4 hitters he faced
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Post by stuartcapel on Jun 27, 2011 8:54:42 GMT 10
Another fine outing from Josh this morning (our time) against Atlanta.
Coming in to a 0-0 ball game in the top of the sixth, Josh retired all four hitters he faced, including two strike-outs and once again getting Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones out.
So far, 3.1IP 5k 0.00whip 0.00era
Fair to say that's one nice start to a MLB career.
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