Joshua Wayne Simpson Bio
Joshua Wayne Simpson is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 2025 after being selected by the Miami Marlins in the 32nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Simpson’s professional journey has included stops at multiple minor league levels, a significant injury setback in 2024, and a remarkable comeback that culminated in his first career win during his rookie season with Miami. His career path reflects resilience and steady development through the minor leagues before establishing himself at the highest level of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Wayne Simpson was born on August 19, 1997, in the United States. He grew up in Stafford, Connecticut, where he attended Stafford High School. During his high school years, Simpson developed his skills as a baseball pitcher, laying the foundation for his future professional career. His performance at the high school level earned him recognition and provided the opportunity to continue his baseball journey at the collegiate level.
After graduating from Stafford High School, Simpson pursued higher education at Columbia University in New York. At Columbia, he played college baseball for the Lions, competing against other top collegiate programs in the nation. His time at Columbia allowed him to refine his pitching craft while balancing academic responsibilities, demonstrating his ability to succeed both on and off the field.
Path to Professional Baseball
Simpson’s transition from amateur baseball to professional competition came in 2019 when he entered the Major League Baseball Draft. The Miami Marlins selected Simpson in the 32nd round with the 951st overall pick, recognizing his potential as a pitcher. Being drafted in the 32nd round indicated that Simpson had to prove himself through the minor leagues, as he would not receive the same early-round attention given to higher-profile prospects.
Upon signing with the Marlins organization, Simpson began his professional career in 2019 with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins and later the Batavia Muckdogs. These initial professional assignments allowed him to adapt to the speed and competition of organized baseball while working with the organization’s development staff. The 2020 season presented a significant challenge when the minor league campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, denying Simpson the opportunity to continue his development on the mound.
Joshua Wayne Simpson Career
Minor League Development (2019–2024)
Simpson returned to game action in 2021 with the Florida Complex League Marlins and the Beloit Snappers, reclaiming his momentum after the lost 2020 season. Following the regular season, he participated in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, a developmental circuit featuring top prospects from across baseball. This assignment signaled the organization’s belief in his potential and provided him with additional high-level experience against formidable competition.
The 2022 season saw Simpson advance to the Double-A level with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, representing a significant step forward in his professional progression. His continued development earned him a spot on the Marlins’ 40-man roster on November 15, 2022, a crucial milestone that protected him from being selected by another organization in the Rule 5 Draft. This addition to the protected roster demonstrated the value the Marlins placed on his continued growth.
The 2023 campaign began with Simpson assigned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the highest level of the minor leagues. In 23 appearances for Jacksonville, he recorded a 4.50 ERA with 55 strikeouts across 32 innings pitched. His strong performance at the Triple-A level earned him his first major league promotion on September 12, 2023. Although he did not make a game appearance during this initial stint and was optioned back to Jacksonville five days later, the experience provided a preview of life at the sport’s highest level.
Injury and Recovery (2024)
The 2024 season brought significant adversity for Simpson when he began the year on the injured list due to left elbow neuritis. His condition required surgical intervention, and he underwent a procedure for ulnar nerve neuritis on April 23, 2024. The surgery forced him to miss approximately three months of the season, creating a substantial setback in his career timeline. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 20 and was finally activated from the injured list on September 3, 2024. Following the season, on November 4, 2024, Simpson was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Jacksonville, making him subject to being claimed by other organizations.
Miami Marlins Breakthrough (2025)
Simpson began the 2025 season with Jacksonville and delivered an outstanding performance in his return from injury. In 27 appearances, he posted a 3-0 record with a 3.41 ERA, recording 25 strikeouts and three saves across 31 and two-thirds innings pitched. This dominant stretch at the Triple-A level earned him another opportunity at the major league level. On June 21, 2025, the Marlins selected Simpson to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the majors for the second time in his career.
Five days after his promotion, on June 26, 2025, Simpson recorded his first career Major League win. He accomplished this milestone by tossing a scoreless one-third of an inning against the San Francisco Giants. This career-defining moment represented the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance through injuries and setbacks. Simpson went on to appear in 31 games during his rookie campaign with Miami, compiling a 4-2 record with a 7.34 ERA and 36 strikeouts across 30 and two-thirds innings pitched.
Seattle Mariners (2026–Present)
Following the 2025 season, Simpson’s tenure with the Marlins came to an end. On February 12, 2026, the Marlins designated him for assignment following the team’s signing of John King. Less than a week later, on February 16, 2026, the Miami Marlins traded Simpson to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. This transaction provided Simpson with a fresh start within a new organization as he continued his Major League career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Simpson has established himself as a relief pitcher capable of recording crucial outs across multiple innings. His ability to record saves at the Triple-A level with Jacksonville demonstrates his capability to handle high-pressure situations late in games. His strikeout ability has remained a consistent tool throughout his professional career, allowing him to miss bats even when his command has wavered. The resilience he showed in returning from his 2024 elbow surgery and immediately contributing at a high level speaks to his durability and work ethic.
Notable Events and Milestones
Simpson’s first career Major League win on June 26, 2025, stands as the defining moment of his professional career thus far. The milestone victory came against the San Francisco Giants and provided a tangible reward for years of dedication through the minor leagues and recovery from injury. His inclusion on the Marlins’ 40-man roster in November 2022 represented organizational validation of his potential after just three professional seasons. Each promotion from the minor leagues marked a significant step in his development, culminating in his establishment as a Major League contributor.
Joshua Wayne Simpson Career Wins
Through his first two seasons at the Major League level, Simpson has compiled a record of 4 wins against 2 losses across 31 appearances. His strikeout totals demonstrate his ability to generate whiffs at the highest level, while his work in the minor leagues included multiple seasons with impressive earned run averages and save totals. His career win total reflects his role as a reliever rather than a starting pitcher, with opportunities coming in specific bullpen situations throughout each season.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Simpson’s most notable Major League achievement remains his first career win recorded on June 26, 2025, against the San Francisco Giants. This moment provided closure to a journey that began with his selection in the 32nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft and included a significant injury in 2024 that required surgery and months of rehabilitation. During his rookie season with Miami in 2025, he appeared in 31 games and recorded 4 wins, establishing himself as a reliable option in the Marlins’ bullpen. His performance included 36 strikeouts across 30 and two-thirds innings, demonstrating his ability to miss bats at the Major League level.
Minor League Achievements
Prior to his Major League success, Simpson built an impressive minor league portfolio across multiple organizations. His 2025 performance with Jacksonville before his promotion featured a 3-0 record with three saves and a 3.41 ERA in 27 appearances. Earlier in his career, he logged a 4.50 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 32 innings for Jacksonville during the 2023 season. His participation in the Arizona Fall League following the 2021 campaign provided additional development opportunities against top-tier prospects from around baseball.
Joshua Wayne Simpson Family
Family Background
Public information regarding Joshua Wayne Simpson’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or extended family connections to baseball, is not extensively documented in available sources. His journey from Stafford, Connecticut, through Columbia University and into professional baseball represents the culmination of his individual athletic development rather than a multigenerational baseball lineage.
Personal Life
Beyond his baseball career, Simpson’s personal life remains largely private. He attended Columbia University, indicating a commitment to education alongside his athletic pursuits. His presence on social media includes an active Twitter account where he engages with fans. Simpson demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career, particularly in recovering from the 2024 elbow surgery that threatened to derail his progression. This mental fortitude has characterized his approach to overcoming obstacles throughout his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Joshua Wayne Simpson following the significant setback he experienced in 2024. Beginning the year with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Simpson showcased the results of his recovery from elbow surgery by posting dominant numbers across 27 appearances. His 3-0 record, 3.41 ERA, and three saves demonstrated that he had returned to full health and could compete at the highest minor league level.
His June promotion to the Major Leagues marked the second time he received the call to the majors, but unlike his brief September 2023 cameo, this opportunity proved lasting. Simpson appeared in 31 games for Miami throughout the remainder of the season, accumulating a 4-2 record and 7.34 ERA. The highlight of his rookie campaign came on June 26 when he secured his first career Major League win against the Giants, a milestone that validated his perseverance through years of development and rehabilitation.
Looking ahead, Simpson’s 2025 performance established him as a viable Major League reliever capable of contributing across multiple seasons. His ability to overcome injury, perform at Triple-A, and maintain a winning record at the highest level positions him for continued opportunities in professional baseball. The trade to Seattle in February 2026 presents a new chapter in his career, offering him the chance to compete with a different organization and potentially expand his role within a new clubhouse environment.