Josh Simpson (baseball)

Josh Simpson
Seattle Mariners – No. 37
Pitcher
Born: (1997-08-19) August 19, 1997 (age 28)
Stafford, Connecticut, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 21, 2025, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through 2025 season)
Win–loss record4–2
Earned run average7.34
Strikeouts36
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Joshua Wayne Simpson (born August 19, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins, with whom he made his MLB debut in 2025.

Career

Miami Marlins

Simpson attended Stafford High School in Stafford, Connecticut, and played college baseball at Columbia University. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 32nd round, with the 951st overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He spent his first professional season with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins and Batavia Muckdogs.[2]

Simpson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] He returned to pitch for the Florida Complex League Marlins and Beloit Snappers in 2021. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League.[4] Simpson started 2022 with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

On November 15, 2022, the Marlins added Simpson to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[5] Simpson was optioned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the 2023 season.[6] In 23 appearances for Jacksonville, he logged a 4.50 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 32 innings of work. On September 12, 2023, Simpson was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[7] He did not make an appearance for Miami before he was optioned back to Jacksonville on September 17, and became a phantom ballplayer.[8]

Simpson began the 2024 season on the injured list with left elbow neuritis. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 20.[9] On April 23, it was announced that Simpson would miss three months after undergoing surgery for ulnar nerve neuritis.[10] He was activated from the injured list on September 3.[11] On November 4, Simpson was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Jacksonville.[12]

Simpson made 27 appearances for Jacksonville to begin the 2025 season, posting a 3-0 record and 3.41 ERA with 25 strikeouts and three saves across 31+23 innings pitched. On June 21, 2025, Simpson was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the second time.[13] On June 26, Simpson recorded his first career win after tossing a scoreless 13 of an inning against the San Francisco Giants.[14] He made 31 appearances for Miami during his rookie campaign, compiling a 4-2 record and 7.34 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 30+23 innings pitched.

On February 12, 2026, Simpson was designated for assignment by the Marlins following the signing of John King.[15]

Seattle Mariners

On February 16, 2026, the Marlins traded Simpson to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Simpson selected by Marlins". Journal Inquirer.
  2. ^ "Former Stafford Standout Makes Pro Baseball All-Star Game". August 20, 2019.
  3. ^ "Stafford's Simpson has new perspective on pitching as coach". Journal Inquirer.
  4. ^ "Bleday among 8 Marlins prospects in the AFL". MLB.com.
  5. ^ "Marlins trade with Tampa Bay, add pitchers to 40-man roster". cbsnews.com. November 16, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "Marlins' Josh Simpson: Dispatched to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  7. ^ "Marlins' Josh Simpson: Summoned to majors". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "Marlins' Josh Simpson: Back to minors". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "Marlins Place A.J. Puk On 15-Day Injured List". MLB Trade Rumors. April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  10. ^ "Josh Simpson To Undergo Surgery For Ulnar Nerve Neuritis". April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  11. ^ "Marlins Claim Anthony Veneziano, Designate Three Players For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  12. ^ "Sixto Sanchez Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  13. ^ Deeds, Nick (June 21, 2025). "Marlins Select Josh Simpson, DFA Robinson Piña". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  14. ^ Adamec, Carl (June 27, 2025). "Connecticut native Josh Simpson picks up first Major League win on mound for Marlins". CT Insider. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "Marlins Designate Josh Simpson For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  16. ^ "Mariners Acquire Josh Simpson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 16, 2026.