Don Atley Joseph (born November 1, 1987) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding tea ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) in 2013 and 2014 for the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
.
Early life
Joseph graduated from
Hays High School
Hays High School is a coeducational public secondary school located in Hays, Kansas operated by Unified School District 489.
History
Early beginnings
Hays High School was founded as a school in 1872. A school library was built in 1886 and the ...
, where he played baseball, football and basketball for the Rebels in 2006. He pitched for the
Houston Cougars
The Houston Cougars are the athletic teams representing the University of Houston. Informally, the Houston Cougars have also been referred to as the Coogs, UH, or simply Houston. Houston's nickname was suggested by early physical education instr ...
, from 2007 to 2009. In 2007 as a freshman, he went 1-1 with a 6.42 ERA, striking out 23 in 54.2 innings in 18 games (10 starts). In 2008 as a sophomore, he went 2-1 with a 5.72 ERA, striking out 40 in 56.2 innings. In 2009 as a junior, he was used as a reliever, where in 31 appearances, he went 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 11 saves, striking out 75 in 50 innings.
Professional career
Cincinnati Reds
Joseph was drafted in the 3rd round (88th overall) by the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
in the
2009 Major League Baseball draft. Joseph was assigned to the Advanced-Rookie
Billings Mustangs
The Billings Mustangs are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Billings, Montana, and have played their home games at Dehler ...
, where he pitched in 8 games before earning a promotion to the Single-A
Dayton Dragons
The Dayton Dragons are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Dayton, Ohio, and play their home games at Day Air Ballpark, formerly known as Fifth Third Field. In 2 ...
on July 22, where he pitched in 16 games before the end of the season. In 24 games in 2009, he went 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA, striking out 42 in 32.1 innings. Joseph began 2010 with the Dragons before earning a promotion to the High-A
Lynchburg Hillcats
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a Minor League Baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They were a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinna ...
on May 27, where he pitched in 31 games. At the end of the season, he earned a promotion to the Double-A
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Zebulon, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina, Raleigh, and play their home games a ...
, where he pitched in 7 games. In 57 games in 2010, he went 3-5 with a 2.08 ERA and 24 saves, striking out 103 in 65 games. After the year, he was named Cincinnati's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Joseph went to spring training with the Reds in 2011, where he pitched in 5 games, giving up 8 runs (5 earned) in 5.1 innings. Joseph pitched all of the 2011 season with Carolina, where in a league-leading 57 appearances, he went 1-3 with a 6.94 ERA, striking out 66 in 58.1 innings. After the year, Joseph pitched in the
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season sports league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during the autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are fill ...
with
Phoenix
Phoenix most often refers to:
* Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore
* Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States
Phoenix may also refer to:
Mythology
Greek mythological figures
* Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...
, where, in 12 appearances, he went 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA, striking out 17 in 16.2 innings. Joseph began 2012 with the Double-A
Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are based in Pensacola, Florida, and play their home games at Admiral Fetterman Field. In 2012, the team rel ...
, where he pitched in 26 games before earning a promotion to the Triple-A
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Louisville, Kentucky, and are named in dual reference to the bat, win ...
on June 9. He was a
Southern League Mid-Season All-Star. He pitched in 18 games with the Bats before being traded.
Kansas City Royals
On July 31, 2012, he was traded to the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
alongside
J. C. Sulbaran in exchange for
Jonathan Broxton
Jonathan Roy Broxton (born June 16, 1984) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardin ...
. He was assigned to the Triple-A
Omaha Storm Chasers
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They are located in Papillion, Nebraska, a suburb southwest of Omaha, and play their home games at Wer ...
, where he finished the season. In 55 games in 2012, he went 9-3 with a 2.33 ERA, striking out 87 in 69.2 innings. He was added to the Royals' 40-man roster on November 20, 2012. Joseph began 2013 with Omaha before his promotion.
On July 11, 2013 Joseph was promoted to the major leagues for the first time, replacing
Wade Davis, who was on paternity leave. He made his MLB debut that day, pitching a scoreless third of an inning against the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
. He made another appearances before being optioned to Omaha 2 days later in favor of a fresher arm, southpaw
Everett Teaford
Everett James Teaford (born May 15, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays, and in the KBO League for the LG Twins.
Amateur career
Teaford ...
. His first Major League strikeout was of
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
infielder
Jason Kipnis
Jason Michael Kipnis (born April 3, 1987; nicknamed "Kip") is an American professional baseball second baseman who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs. He attended Glenbrook N ...
. On August 10, he was recalled, and he made an appearance that day against the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
, but he was optioned the next day. After Omaha's season ended, Joseph was recalled on September 3 after the rosters had expanded. In 47 games with Omaha, he went 4-3 with a 3.95 ERA, striking out 84 in 54.2 innings. He pitched in 3 games with the Royals in September to end the season. In 6 games with Kansas City in 2013, he finished 2 games, giving up 4 hits and 0 runs with 7 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Joseph was designated for assignment by the Royals on June 24, 2014, having only made one appearance for the big league team that year in which he allowed 6 earned runs in 2 thirds of an inning.
Miami Marlins
On June 30, 2014, Joseph was traded to the
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
in exchange for cash considerations. On July 31, Joseph was designated for assignment by Miami and later outrighted to the Triple-A
New Orleans Zephyrs
New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created.
New or NEW may refer to:
Music
* New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz
Albums and EPs
* ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013
* ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
. He finished the year with New Orleans, but struggled to a 9.58 ERA in 9 appearances. On March 24, 2015, Joseph was released by the Marlins organization.
New Jersey Jackals
On April 17, 2015, Joseph signed with the
New Jersey Jackals
The New Jersey Jackals are an American professional baseball team based in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. The team was founded in 1998 by Floyd Hall and is owned by Al Dorso, a businessman who also owns the Sussex County Miners, Sky ...
of the
Can-Am League
The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, commonly known as the Can-Am League, was a professional, independent baseball league with teams in the Northeast United States and Eastern Canada, founded in 2005 as a reorganization of ...
. In 35 appearances with the Jackals, Joseph logged a 3-3 record and 5.49 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 41.0 innings pitched. On January 20, 2016, Joseph was released by New Jersey.
Rockland Boulders
Joseph signed with the
Rockland Boulders
The New York Boulders are an American independent professional baseball team playing in the Frontier League based in Pomona, Rockland County, New York. The team was founded as a member of the Can-Am League, beginning play in the 2011 season as ...
of the
Can-Am League
The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, commonly known as the Can-Am League, was a professional, independent baseball league with teams in the Northeast United States and Eastern Canada, founded in 2005 as a reorganization of ...
prior to the 2016 season. On June 28, Joseph was released by the team. On July 30, Joseph re-signed with Rockland.
In 18 total games for the Boulders, Joseph logged a 7.16 ERA. He became a free agent after the 2016 season.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joseph, Donnie
1987 births
Living people
Kansas City Royals players
Houston Cougars baseball players
Billings Mustangs players
Dayton Dragons players
Lynchburg Hillcats players
Carolina Mudcats players
Pensacola Blue Wahoos players
Louisville Bats players
Omaha Storm Chasers players
Sportspeople from San Marcos, Texas
Baseball players from Texas
Phoenix Desert Dogs players
New Orleans Zephyrs players
New Jersey Jackals players
Rockland Boulders players