Josh Spence is a former Australian left-handed relief pitcher who reached Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres in 2011. Born in Grovedale, Victoria, Spence developed through Australian baseball and the American junior-college system before starring for Arizona State. He later appeared in the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins organisations. Provider data identifies him as inactive, with no current team verified as at August 18, 2026.
Joshua Patrick William Spence was born on January 22, 1988, in Grovedale, Victoria, Australia. A left-handed pitcher, he attended St Joseph's College in Newtown, Victoria, where he won the Leo Turner Award as the school's best graduating athlete and Australia's Golden Arm Award in 2007. Spence moved to the United States and attended Central Arizona College, becoming a two-time Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a two-time All-American. He transferred to Arizona State University for the 2009 season and immediately became one of college baseball's leading pitchers. As a junior, he went 10–1 with a 2.37 ERA, 125 strikeouts and one save, earning First Team All-Pac-10, Third Team All-American and National Newcomer of the Year honours. He helped Arizona State win the Pac-10 championship and reach the College World Series. Spence missed time during the 2009 season after being struck in the face by a line drive and later injuring a finger on his pitching hand, but returned to pitch important postseason games. He elected to return to Arizona State for his senior season in 2010, although he did not pitch that year. The Los Angeles Angels had selected him in the third round of the 2009 MLB Draft, but his professional signing rights ultimately led to selection by the San Diego Padres in the ninth round of the 2010 draft. Spence made his professional debut in 2010 and reached the majors the following season. He debuted for San Diego on June 24, 2011, pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves. During his rookie campaign, he retired the first 11 batters he faced and allowed only one earned run across his first 21.1 innings. His MLB career comprised 51 regular-season relief appearances in 2011 and 2012, with a 0–3 record, 3.15 ERA, 40.0 innings, 41 strikeouts and a 1.28 WHIP. After San Diego, he continued in affiliated baseball with the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins organisations, with his last recorded affiliated transaction being his release by the New Orleans Zephyrs on May 20, 2014. No later playing status or current team has been reliably verified.
First big break
Spence's first major breakthrough came at Arizona State in 2009. In his first season with the Sun Devils, he posted a 10–1 record, 2.37 ERA and 125 strikeouts, earned First Team All-Pac-10 and Third Team All-American honours, was named Rivals.com's National Newcomer of the Year and helped Arizona State reach the College World Series. His first professional breakthrough followed when he made his MLB debut for the San Diego Padres on June 24, 2011.
Key stats & awards
MLB regular-season career: 51 games, 0–3 record, 3.15 ERA, 40.0 innings, 41 strikeouts and 1.28 WHIP. Arizona State 2009: 10–1, 2.37 ERA, 18 appearances, 15 starts, 102.2 innings and 125 strikeouts. Central Arizona College career: 27–7, nine saves, 1.40 ERA and 327 strikeouts over 270.0 innings. Major honours include 2009 National Newcomer of the Year, First Team All-Pac-10, Third Team All-American recognition and Australian Golden Arm Award winner in 2007.
Famous moments
On June 24, 2011, Spence became the 98th Arizona State player to reach Major League Baseball. In his debut for San Diego, he pitched the ninth inning against Atlanta and retired Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann in order. During his 2011 rookie season, he retired the first 11 batters he faced and allowed one earned run over his first 21.1 MLB innings. In the 2009 NCAA postseason, he threw a complete-game win against Clemson in the super regional and struck out 16 batters during his 14 innings of College World Series work.
