Joshua Palacios Bio
Joshua John Palacios (born July 30, 1995) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago White Sox. Across his major league career through the 2025 season, Palacios posted a .223 batting average with 15 home runs and 64 runs batted in. He most recently suited up in MLB with the Chicago White Sox in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Joshua John Palacios was born on July 30, 1995, in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up and still resides. He comes from a baseball family with strong ties to the game at the highest level. His brother, Richie Palacios, was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, while their uncle, Rey Palacios, played in Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals from 1988 to 1990. His father is Puerto Rican and his mother is from Curaçao, giving the family a broad Caribbean heritage that has shaped his path in the sport.
Palacios attended the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology in Brooklyn, where he starred on the baseball diamond. His high school performance earned him recognition as the 2013 New York City High School Player of the Year. That same year, he drew attention from professional scouts and went on to begin his college career at San Jacinto Junior College before transferring to Auburn University.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout high school season, Palacios was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 31st round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He opted not to sign with Cincinnati and instead enrolled at San Jacinto Junior College, where he continued to develop as a hitter. In his first season with San Jacinto, he batted .376 with six doubles and 26 runs batted in. As a sophomore, Palacios hit .364 with 12 doubles, nine triples, 36 runs batted in, and 29 stolen bases, and was named the 37th best junior college prospect in the country.
After his sophomore season, Palacios signed a letter of intent to transfer to Auburn University for the 2016 season. In his lone year at Auburn, he batted .385 with five home runs, 23 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases, cementing his status as a polished offensive prospect. The Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB draft, and he signed for a $438,100 signing bonus to begin his professional career.
Joshua Palacios Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
After signing with Toronto, Palacios was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, where he appeared in 13 games before a quick promotion to the Short Season-A Vancouver Canadians. After 28 games in Vancouver, he was promoted again to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts, finishing his first professional season across three levels. In 50 total games that year, Palacios batted .330 with 18 runs batted in.
In 2017, Palacios spent the entire season with Lansing and hit .280 with two home runs, 39 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases in 91 games. On November 20, 2020, the Blue Jays added him to their 40-man roster, signaling his place in the organization’s major league plans.
Toronto Blue Jays Breakthrough (2021)
On April 9, 2021, Palacios was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. That same night, he made his MLB debut as the starting right fielder against the Los Angeles Angels. He was later assigned to Triple-A Buffalo on May 3, 2021, splitting his first major league season between Toronto and its top farm club. The Blue Jays designated him for assignment on April 11, 2022, ending his first chapter with the organization that drafted him.
Washington Nationals Era (2022)
On April 15, 2022, the Washington Nationals claimed Palacios off waivers from the Blue Jays. He spent the rest of that season in the Washington organization before being sent outright off the 40-man roster on December 1, 2022. His time in Washington was brief, but it kept him in affiliated baseball as he searched for a longer-term opportunity.
Pittsburgh Pirates Era (2023–2024)
On December 7, 2022, at the Winter Meetings, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Palacios from the Nationals in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He opened 2023 with the Double-A Altoona Curve but was quickly promoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. In 21 combined minor league games that year, he hit .368/.433/.598 with four home runs, 22 runs batted in, and four stolen bases.
The Pirates selected his contract on May 9, 2023, bringing him back to the majors. On June 2, Palacios hit his first Major League home run at PNC Park against the St. Louis Cardinals. On July 30, his birthday, he hit a walk-off two-run homer off Andrew Vasquez of the Philadelphia Phillies, becoming the first player in Pirates history to hit a walk-off home run on his birthday. In 91 games for Pittsburgh in 2023, he batted .239/.279/.413 with 10 home runs and 40 runs batted in. He was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin 2024 and batted .224/.333/.343 with two home runs, nine runs batted in, and one stolen base in 23 appearances before being designated for assignment on March 23, 2025.
Chicago White Sox Era (2025)
On April 3, 2025, Palacios signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. After five games with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, in which he went 3-for-13 with one run batted in, the White Sox selected his contract on April 10, adding him to their active roster. In 51 appearances for Chicago, he batted .203/.292/.305 with three home runs and nine runs batted in. On June 13, the White Sox designated him for assignment, and after clearing waivers, he was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte on June 15. Palacios elected free agency on October 3, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Palacios is an outfielder whose offensive profile has centered on line-drive contact, occasional pop, and speed on the base paths. He has shown the ability to adjust quickly at new levels, posting a .385 batting average in his lone season at Auburn and a .368 mark across Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. His walk-off power on his birthday with the Pirates illustrated a knack for delivering in pressure moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most memorable major league moment came on July 30, 2023, when his walk-off two-run homer against the Philadelphia Phillies made him the first player in Pirates history to hit a walk-off home run on his birthday. He also represented the Netherlands at the 2023 World Baseball Classic alongside his brother Richie, appearing in four games.
Joshua Palacios Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Joshua John Palacios grew up in a household steeped in baseball tradition. His brother, Richie Palacios, followed him into professional baseball after being drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the 2018 MLB draft. Their uncle, Rey Palacios, played in the major leagues for the Kansas City Royals from 1988 to 1990, giving the family multiple generations of professional experience.
Personal Life
Palacios is of Puerto Rican descent on his father’s side and Curaçaoan descent on his mother’s side, a heritage reflected in his choice to represent the Netherlands at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, which remains his home base. He and his brother Richie both competed for the Netherlands national team at the 2023 WBC, sharing the field as professionals on an international stage.
2025 Season Performance
Palacios began 2025 designated for assignment by the Pirates before electing free agency in late March. He quickly signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox and rejoined the major league roster on April 10 after a brief stint at Triple-A Charlotte. In 51 games with Chicago, he hit .203/.292/.305 with three home runs and nine runs batted in before being designated for assignment again on June 13.
After clearing waivers, he was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte on June 15 and finished the year in the White Sox system. On October 3, 2025, Palacios elected free agency once more, closing his fifth major league season. With his most recent MLB line showing a .223 career average, 15 home runs, and 64 runs batted in, he entered the off-season as a free agent looking for his next opportunity.