Middlebury Pitcher Joseph Inks Deal With Baltimore Orioles
Courtesy of Middlebury College Sports Information
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Middlebury College pitcher Michael Joseph has signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Joseph, who is entering his senior year, plans to return to Middlebury in the fall before taking a leave of absence in the spring of 2013 to join the Orioles' system. He hopes to return to Middlebury in fall of 2013 and graduate in February of 2014.
With the aide of Middlebury head coach Bob Smith, Joseph was pitching this summer for the Torrington Titans in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL). A number of scouts saw Joseph throw at the league's Major League Baseball Scout Day on July 26. He hit 93 miles per hour on the radar gun, generating a great deal of interest from the Orioles, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Twins and Nationals. Scouts kept an eye on Joseph, with him eventually signing with the Orioles on August 11.
No doubt, his 6-7, 215 frame was influential as well, when it came to him catching the eye of several major league scouts. "I was just trying to throw as hard as I could and be around the plate," Joseph said. "My goal was to get it over 90 - I figured if I got it over 90 I had a shot."
Joseph had a record of 0-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 21 appearances with three saves this summer. He struck out 22 batters in 24.2 innings of work with Torrington. In three seasons at Middlebury, he earned a career record of 4-9 with 95 strikeouts in 116 innings, with an ERA of 5.18. On May 9, 2011, he was named the NESCAC Pitcher of the Week after tossing his fourth complete game of the season, a 3-2 win over Tufts, where he struck out eight in the seven-inning affair.
"I am going to miss playing for Middlebury this spring," said Joseph. "Coach Smith and my pitching coach Jim Neidlinger, as well as the whole Middlebury Baseball program, have played an enormous role in enabling me to get this opportunity."