Josh Prince Explained

Josh Prince
Position:Utility player
Birth Date:26 January 1988
Birth Place:Sulphur, Louisiana
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:April 6
Debutyear:2013
Debutteam:Milwaukee Brewers
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:June 20
Finalyear:2013
Finalteam:Milwaukee Brewers
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.125
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:0
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:0
Teams:

Joshua Cole Prince (born January 26, 1988) is an American former professional baseball utility player who is currently a minor league hitting coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2013.

Playing career

Amateur baseball

Prince attended Alfred M. Barbe High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was twice named to the All-Louisiana team, and graduated in 2006. He enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where he played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns baseball team as a freshman. He was named a Freshman All-American. After his freshman year, Prince transferred to Tulane University, and he continued his college baseball career with the Tulane Green Wave baseball team. He also played summer collegiate baseball for the Green Bay Bullfrogs of the Northwoods League in 2008.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Prince in the third round, with the 105th overall selection, of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] Prince started his professional career with the Helena Brewers of the Rookie-level Pioneer League in 2009; he was moved up to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Single–A Midwest League during the season. Prince was promoted to the Brevard County Manatees of the High–A Florida State League in 2010 and 2011. He was moved to centerfield while at Brevard County.[2] He played the 2012 season with the Huntsville Stars of the Double–A Southern League. After the 2012 regular season, the Brewers assigned Prince to the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League (AFL). Prince led the AFL in hits.[3]

The Brewers added him to their 40-man roster after the 2012 season.[4] Prince began the 2013 season with the Nashville Sounds of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League. He was called up to the major leagues on April 6, 2013, to replace the injured Aramis Ramírez.[5] He was outrighted off the roster on October 4, 2013.

Prince spent the 2014 season with Huntsville, and became a free agent after the season.

Detroit Tigers

On March 22, 2015, the Detroit Tigers signed Prince to a minor league contract. In 40 games for the Double–A Erie SeaWolves, he hit .205/.296/.299 with two home runs, nine RBI, and eight stolen bases. Prince was released by the Tigers organization on June 20.[6]

Bridgeport Bluefish

After being released by the Tigers, Prince signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for the remainder of the 2015 season.

Sugar Land Skeeters

On April 6, 2016, Prince signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League. Prince later re–signed with the Skeeters for the 2017 season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 5, 2018, Prince signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[7] He spent the season with the Double–A Jackson Generals, also playing in two games for the Triple–A Reno Aces. In 102 games for Jackson, Prince hit .285/.385/.411 with six home runs, 37 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.[8]

Sugar Land Skeeters (second stint)

On January 18, 2019, Prince re-signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters as a player-coach.[9] After hitting .133 in 13 games, he was released on May 10.

Texas AirHogs

On May 17, 2019, Prince signed as a player-coach with the Texas AirHogs of the American Association.

Arizona Diamondbacks (second stint)

On July 7, 2019, Prince's contract was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. In 26 games for the Triple–A Reno Aces, he batted .300/.364/.500 with two home runs, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases. Prince elected free agency following the season on November 4.[10]

Post-playing career

In January 2020, Prince was named hitting coach of the Greenville Drive, the Single–A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.[11]

He was named as the hitting coach of the FCL Red Sox for the 2022 season.

Personal life

Prince's older brothers, Ran and Dooley, both played college baseball.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sulphur resident Josh Prince signs with Brewers. Southwest Daily News. January 20, 2015.
  2. News: Schelling. Jordan. Prince becomes first Bullfrogs alum to reach major leagues. April 8, 2013. Green Bay Press Gazette.
  3. Web site: Prince has a shot at the big leagues as he heads to Brewers spring training camp. sulphurdailynews.com. January 20, 2015. dead. https://archive.today/20150121004022/http://www.sulphurdailynews.com/article/20130213/SPORTS/130219881/-1/sports?template=printart. January 21, 2015. mdy-all.
  4. Web site: American Press - Home. americanpress.com. January 20, 2015.
  5. Web site: Brewers add five to 40-man roster. Tom Haudricourt. jsonline.com. January 20, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216020955/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/180167081.html. February 16, 2016. mdy-all.
  6. Web site: Minor Moves: Josh Prince. MLB Trade Rumors. January 20, 2015. January 20, 2015.
  7. Web site: Diamondbacks' Josh Prince: Signs with Arizona. cbssports.com. January 5, 2018.
  8. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2018. April 30, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  9. Web site: Former Major Leaguer Josh Prince Returns to Skeeters as Player-Coach. sugarlandskeeters.com. January 18, 2019.
  10. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2019. August 6, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  11. Red Sox announce personnel moves in player development and Minor League field staffs . mlb.com . Boston Red Sox . January 16, 2020 . January 28, 2020.