Josh Banks
Encyclopedia
Joshua Charles Banks is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. He is 6'3" in height and weighs 195 pounds. Banks attended college at Florida International University
. Tony Gwynn
said Banks has eight pitches, one of which is a knuckleball
.
He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays
in the second round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
. Banks Major League debut in 2007 with the Blue Jays. On April 23, , Banks was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.
In his first 22 innings as a Padre, he did not give up any runs. This string was broken when David Wright singled home José Reyes on June 5, 2008. His first loss came weeks later against the New York Yankees
and Joba Chamberlain
on June 19, 2008. The loss was part of a three-game sweep of the Padres at Yankee Stadium
, the last time the San Diego Padres ever visited the old Yankee Stadium. In October 2009, Banks was granted Free Agency.
On January 4, 2010, Banks signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros
and got an invitation to spring training. He appeared in 27 games for the Round Rock Express
and one game for the Astros before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
On January 31, 2011, Banks signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants
. He was released during the season.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe 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 a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent. He is 6'3" in height and weighs 195 pounds. Banks attended college at Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
. Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
said Banks has eight pitches, one of which is a knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
.
He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in the second round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
. Banks Major League debut in 2007 with the Blue Jays. On April 23, , Banks was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.
In his first 22 innings as a Padre, he did not give up any runs. This string was broken when David Wright singled home José Reyes on June 5, 2008. His first loss came weeks later against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and Joba Chamberlain
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old...
on June 19, 2008. The loss was part of a three-game sweep of the Padres at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, the last time the San Diego Padres ever visited the old Yankee Stadium. In October 2009, Banks was granted Free Agency.
On January 4, 2010, Banks signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and got an invitation to spring training. He appeared in 27 games for the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
and one game for the Astros before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
On January 31, 2011, Banks signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He was released during the season.