Josh Barfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Josh Barfield |
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Barfield with the San Diego Padres
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| Second baseman | |||
| Born: December 17, 1982 Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela |
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| debut | |||
| April 3, 2006, for the San Diego Padres | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 25, 2009, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .264 | ||
| Home runs | 16 | ||
| Runs batted in | 112 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Joshua LaRoy Barfield, born on December 17, 1982, is an American baseball expert and a former professional second baseman. He used to play baseball, and now he works behind the scenes. His dad, Jesse Barfield, was also a famous baseball player. Josh was born in Venezuela when his mom was visiting his dad during a baseball season there. He grew up near Houston, Texas, and went to Klein High School. There, he set a record for hitting the most home runs in one season for his district. Josh also has a younger brother, Jeremy, who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics to play baseball in 2008.
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Playing Baseball: Josh Barfield's Career
Josh Barfield had an exciting journey playing professional baseball. He was known for his skills as a second baseman. Let's look at the teams he played for and some of his big moments.
Starting with the San Diego Padres
Josh Barfield was chosen by the San Diego Padres in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. He was picked in the fourth round. Before he even played in the major leagues, Baseball America magazine thought he was the Padres' top young player in 2004 and 2005.
Major League Debut and First Home Run
Josh made his first appearance in a major league game on April 3, 2006. He got his very first hit, a single, against a pitcher from the San Francisco Giants. A few weeks later, on April 17, 2006, he hit his first major league home run. It was a huge hit, traveling 431 feet, against the Colorado Rockies.
A Memorable Walk-Off Home Run
On September 4, 2006, Josh had a truly special moment. He hit a "walk-off home run" against the Rockies. This means his home run ended the game immediately, giving the Padres a 7–5 victory. It was a three-run home run, and he said it was his first walk-off home run ever, at any level of baseball!
Rookie Season Success
In his first year with the Padres, Josh played in 150 games. He had a good batting average of .280. He also hit 13 home runs and helped his team score 58 runs. He was also fast, stealing 21 bases. The Padres made it to the playoffs that year, but they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Moving to the Cleveland Indians
After his great rookie season, Josh Barfield was traded to the Cleveland Indians on November 8, 2006. He became their everyday second baseman for the 2007 season.
Challenges and Postseason Appearance
In 2007, Josh's hitting wasn't as strong, and he started to share his playing time with another player. He finished the season with a .243 batting average. He did get to play in one game during the 2007 postseason, where he stole a base.
Time in the Minor Leagues
In 2008, Josh started the season playing for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, which is a minor league team. He was called back up to the Indians in June. However, he sprained a finger soon after and had to take time off. He returned later in the season. In 2009, he again spent time between the Indians and their Triple-A team, the Columbus Clippers. He showed some good hitting when he was with the Indians, including a game-winning hit in May.
Later Baseball Teams
After his time with the Cleveland Indians, Josh Barfield continued to play baseball for a few more years.
Second Time with the Padres
In 2010, Josh signed a minor league contract to play for the San Diego Padres again. He spent the whole season with their Triple-A team, the Portland Beavers. He had a strong batting average of .296 that year.
Playing for the Phillies and Orioles
In 2011, Josh played for the Philadelphia Phillies' Triple-A team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In 2012, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. He played for their minor league teams, the Norfolk Tides and the Bowie Baysox.
Independent League Baseball
In 2013, Josh played for the Long Island Ducks, an independent baseball team. This means they are not part of Major League Baseball's system. He had a good season there, batting .296.
Life After Playing Baseball
After his playing career, Josh Barfield stayed involved in baseball.
Working as a Scout and Director
By 2016, Josh was working as a professional scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A scout finds and evaluates new baseball talent. For four years, he was also the director of player development for the Diamondbacks. This role involves helping young players grow and improve their skills.
Becoming an Assistant General Manager
In September 2023, Josh Barfield took on an even bigger role. He was hired as the assistant general manager for the Chicago White Sox. This is a very important job where he helps manage the team's players and overall operations.
More About Baseball Players
- List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
- List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
