Joshua Fields
From BR Bullpen
Joshua D. Fields
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 178 lb.
- School University of Georgia
- High School Prince Avenue Christian School
- Born August 19, 1985 in Athens, GA USA
Joshua Fields was a first-round draft pick in 2008.
In 2002, he hit .571 with 8 home runs and 40 RBI in high school while going 9-3 with a 2.31 ERA and fanning 89 in 54 2/3 IP. In his junior season, he hit .632 with 18 homers, slugged 1.566 and was 10-1 on the hill with 114 K in 58 1/3 IP. As a senior, he hit .500 while going 6-0 with a 1.25 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 36 IP. He had a .800 OBP and stole successfully in 31 of 32 tries. Baseball America rated him the #36 prep prospect in the nation.
Going on to college, Fields was 3-1 with a 7.00 ERA on the mound and also played 7 games at DH. He was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team.
As a sophomore, Joshua blossomed, tying a Georgia record with 15 saves. He tied for 4th in NCAA Division I in saves. He was 3-2 with a 1.80 ERA. He threw two scoreless innings in the 2006 College World Series. He was named the All-SEC relief pitcher. He was named a third-team All-American by Baseball America after Cole St. Clair and Don Czyz.
In 2007, Fields struggled, going 1-6 with a 4.46 ERA and blowing 6 of 13 save opportunities. The Atlanta Braves were still interested and took him in the 2nd round of the 2007 amateur draft, the 69th pick, compensation for the loss of Danys Baez to free agency. Fields did not sign and returned for his senior year.
As a senior, Fields did very well. Going into the second round of the 2008 College World Series, he had only allowed 14 hits in 35 innings, has fanned 60, walked 21 and gone 3-2 with 17 saves and a 2.57 ERA. He was named a first-team Collegiate Baseball All-American.
The Seattle Mariners took Fields 20th overall in the 2008 amateur draft.
Fields was assigned to the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, a AA team, to start his pro career. His first appearance was a tough one, on April 9, at the Montgomery Biscuits. He gave up four walks and 3 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.
