Josh Simpson Bio
Joshua Wayne Simpson, born on August 19, 1997, is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in Major League Baseball (MLB). He first reached the majors with the Miami Marlins in 2025 and is now part of the Seattle Mariners organization, continuing his development as a relief pitcher. Drafted in the 32nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Simpson has worked his way through the minor leagues, the Arizona Fall League, and multiple Triple-A stops before earning a long look in the big leagues. His path reflects patience, persistence, and steady improvement on the mound.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Wayne Simpson grew up in Stafford, Connecticut, where he attended Stafford High School. As a young athlete, he developed his skills on the baseball diamond while balancing a regular academic life in a small New England town. His time at Stafford helped lay the groundwork for a future in pitching, providing him with the fundamentals he would later refine at the collegiate level.
After finishing high school, Simpson continued his baseball career at Columbia University, one of the most academically rigorous college baseball programs in the country. Competing in the Ivy League allowed him to face strong hitters while pursuing a demanding course of study. The combination of tough competition and a disciplined environment at Columbia helped shape the work ethic that has followed him into professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
Simpson’s path to professional baseball began in 2019, when the Miami Marlins selected him in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft with the 951st overall pick. Being a later-round selection meant he had to prove himself quickly in the lower levels of the minor leagues. He made his professional debut that same year, splitting his first season between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins and the Batavia Muckdogs, two of Miami’s developmental affiliates.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily halting Simpson’s momentum. He returned to action in 2021, pitching for the Florida Complex League Marlins and the Beloit Snappers. Following the regular season, he earned an opportunity to compete in the Arizona Fall League, a respected offseason showcase for top prospects. His performance in that developmental environment impressed the Marlins enough that they assigned him to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to begin 2022.
Josh Simpson Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Simpson’s early professional years were spent learning the craft of pitching across several levels of the Marlins system. From the Gulf Coast League to Batavia, Beloit, and Pensacola, he showed steady growth as he adapted to the rigors of pro baseball. His work in the Arizona Fall League highlighted his potential as a relief pitcher and helped position him for a future role in the upper minors.
On November 15, 2022, the Marlins added Simpson to their 40-man roster in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. That move signaled that the organization viewed him as a legitimate prospect worth keeping in the fold. Heading into 2023, he was optioned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, marking his first full season at the highest level of the minor leagues.
Jacksonville and First Major League Call-Up (2023)
Simpson opened the 2023 season with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, working primarily as a reliever. In 23 appearances for Jacksonville, he posted a 4.50 ERA and racked up 55 strikeouts in 32 innings of work, demonstrating the swing-and-miss stuff that had defined his climb through the system. His performance in Triple-A earned him a brief look at the next level.
On September 12, 2023, Simpson was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. Although he did not appear in a game for Miami before being optioned back to Jacksonville on September 17, the promotion confirmed that he was on the organization’s major league radar. He finished the year as a phantom ballplayer on the Marlins roster, a sign of how close he was to a full-time MLB opportunity.
Recovery and Setbacks (2024)
The 2024 season proved to be a difficult one for Simpson, as he began the year on the injured list with left elbow neuritis. His situation grew more serious on April 20, when he was transferred to the 60-day injured list. A few days later, the Marlins announced that he would miss approximately three months after undergoing surgery for ulnar nerve neuritis, a procedure that threatened to derail his momentum.
Simpson worked his way back from the procedure and was activated from the injured list on September 3, 2024. Shortly after the season ended, on November 4, the Marlins removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Jacksonville. Rather than signaling the end of his career, however, the move cleared the path for him to return as a non-roster invitee and earn his way back to the majors.
MLB Debut and Marlins Rookie Season (2025)
Simpson opened the 2025 season back at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he was dominant in relief. In 27 appearances to begin the year, he posted a 3-0 record and a 3.41 ERA, striking out 25 batters and recording three saves across 31 and two-thirds innings. That performance earned him a second trip to the majors, as the Marlins selected his contract and promoted him on June 21, 2025.
On June 26, 2025, Simpson recorded his first career MLB win after tossing a scoreless third of an inning against the San Francisco Giants. He went on to make 31 appearances for Miami during his rookie campaign, compiling a 4-2 record and a 7.34 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 30 and two-thirds innings pitched. Even as he battled some growing pains, he gained valuable big league experience and cemented his place as a member of the Marlins’ bullpen depth.
Seattle Mariners Era (2026–Present)
On February 12, 2026, Simpson’s time with the Marlins came to an end when he was designated for assignment following the team’s signing of pitcher John King. The transaction opened a door elsewhere, and just four days later, on February 16, 2026, the Marlins traded him to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. The trade gave Simpson a fresh start with a new organization looking to add bullpen depth.
Through the early portion of the 2026 season, Simpson has continued to appear in games for Seattle, providing the Mariners with a right-handed relief option. His transition to a new club has given him an opportunity to reset his season and contribute to a contender in the American League. The Mariners era represents the latest chapter in a career defined by resilience and a willingness to keep grinding.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Simpson’s career came on June 26, 2025, when he recorded his first MLB win against the San Francisco Giants in his debut season. That appearance, even though it was only a third of an inning, marked the culmination of a long journey from a 32nd-round draft pick to a big league pitcher. His addition to the 40-man roster in November 2022 and his promotions to the majors in both 2023 and 2025 stand as additional markers of a prospect who has continually earned new opportunities.
Josh Simpson Career Wins
Joshua Wayne Simpson has accumulated a small but meaningful collection of victories since reaching the majors. His first MLB win came in 2025 with the Miami Marlins, and he added to that total after being traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2026. Across his early major league career, he has shown the ability to come through in high-leverage spots, even while still adjusting to the level of competition.
MLB Highlights
Simpson’s MLB win total grew during his rookie year with Miami, where he finished the 2025 season with a 4-2 record in 31 appearances out of the bullpen. He later added a win for the Seattle Mariners, bringing his major league record to 4-2 through early May 2026. He has also recorded three saves at the Triple-A level in 2025, showcasing his versatility in late-inning roles.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his major league work, Simpson has posted strong results in the minor leagues, including a 3-0 record and 3.41 ERA with Jacksonville in 2025. He has compiled wins at multiple levels of the Marlins system, from the rookie Gulf Coast League up through Triple-A. His performance in the Arizona Fall League also ranks among his most notable developmental accomplishments.
Josh Simpson Family
Personal Life
Joshua Wayne Simpson maintains a private personal life, and limited public information is available about his relationships or family members. He grew up in Stafford, Connecticut, and has built his professional baseball career in the years since. He remains active on social media, where fans can follow updates about his pitching career.
2025 Season Performance
Simpson’s 2025 season was a story of perseverance and a long-awaited MLB breakthrough. After missing significant time in 2024 due to left elbow neuritis and ulnar nerve surgery, he returned healthy and dominant at Triple-A Jacksonville. In 27 appearances to begin the year, he went 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA, three saves, and 25 strikeouts, putting himself firmly in the conversation for a major league call-up.
That call-up came on June 21, 2025, when the Marlins selected his contract and brought him back to the majors. He responded with his first career win against the San Francisco Giants and went on to appear in 31 games as a rookie reliever. While his 7.34 ERA at the MLB level reflected the challenges of adjusting to big league hitters, his 4-2 record and 36 strikeouts demonstrated that he could compete at the highest level.
Simpson’s rookie season provided a foundation for his next chapter, and the February 2026 trade to the Seattle Mariners offered him a clean slate. Entering the rest of 2026 with a new club, he has continued to develop as a relief pitcher, building on the lessons of his debut campaign. His combination of strikeout stuff, prior closing experience, and resilience after injury make him an intriguing piece of the Mariners’ bullpen going forward.
