Josh Vitek

Joshua Shawn Vitek

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.
• High School Fayetteville High School
• Born June 18, 1980 in Meridian, MS USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Josh Vitek pitched in the San Diego Padres system from 1999 to 2001, peaking at Low-A. He was the club's 3rd-round pick in the 1999 amateur draft, taken one pick after pitcher Alex Graman and in the same round as future star Justin Morneau.

He went 6-2 with a 3.99 ERA in 12 games (10 starts) for the AZL Padres his first year, averaging slightly more than a strikeout per frame, then in 2000, he was 5-4 with a 5.05 ERA in 15 starts for the Idaho Falls Padres -- and his K-rate fell to just 5.2 per 9 frames. He tied multiple pitchers for second in the Pioneer League in starts, behind Ruddy Lugo's 16. In 2001, his final season, he was 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Eugene Emeralds, and he again averaged a strikeout per inning.

Overall, Vitek went 11-6 with a 4.45 ERA in 38 games (25 starts). In 131 1/3 innings, he allowed 142 hits and 68 walks (1.599 WHIP), while striking out 101 batters.