Connor Joe is a professional baseball player who has experienced his fair share of ups and downs throughout his career. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014, but struggled in the minor leagues before being released by the Atlanta Braves in 2018.
However, he didn’t let that setback define him and instead made a comeback with the San Francisco Giants, earning a call-up to the major leagues in 2019.
After some struggles during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Joe was waived by the Giants and picked up by the Colorado Rockies.
But in March of 2023, he signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and in a recent game against the White Sox, he had an impressive performance.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what happened to Connor Joe throughout his career, including his struggles in the minor leagues, his comeback with the Giants, and his signing with the Pirates.
Early Career of Connor Joe
Connor Joe attended the University of San Diego, where he played college baseball. He was a standout player in college, earning a spot on the All-West Coast Conference team twice and setting a school record with a 28-game hitting streak in 2013.
Following his successful college career, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft.
Drafted by Dodgers in 2014
The Dodgers selected Joe with the 39th overall pick in the draft. He was seen as a versatile player who could play multiple positions, including catcher, first base, and outfield. Joe signed with the Dodgers and began his professional career in their minor league system.
He played primarily with the Class A teams, the Great Lakes Loons and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, in his first two seasons.
During his time in the Dodgers’ minor league system, Joe was known for his ability to get on base, as well as his versatility in the field. However, he struggled to hit for power, which was a concern for some scouts.
Struggles in the Minor Leagues
Despite a promising start to his professional career, Connor Joe struggled to find success in the minor leagues. He continued to get on base at a decent clip, but his lack of power became more of a concern as he advanced through the Dodgers’ minor league system.
In 2017, he played for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, where he hit just .240 with four home runs in 92 games.
Trade to the Atlanta Braves Organization
In January of 2018, the Dodgers traded Joe to the Atlanta Braves for international bonus pool money. The Braves were interested in Joe’s versatility and his ability to get on base, but unfortunately, he continued to struggle at the plate in their minor league system.
He hit just .264 with one home run in 41 games for the Double-A Mississippi Braves before being released by the organization in May of 2018.
Released by the Braves in 2018
After being released by the Braves, Connor Joe was out of baseball for a few months. He eventually signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels in August of 2018, but he didn’t get a chance to play in any games for the organization before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
It was a tough stretch for Joe, who had been highly regarded as a prospect coming out of college but had yet to find sustained success in professional baseball.
Comeback With the Giants
Despite the setbacks he faced, Connor Joe didn’t give up on his dream of playing in the major leagues. In January of 2019, he signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, who were impressed by his versatility and ability to get on base.
He was invited to spring training with the team, where he impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic and positive attitude.
Impressive Performance in the Minor Leagues
Joe started the 2019 season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, where he continued to show improvements in his game. He hit .300 with a .426 on-base percentage and six home runs in 24 games, and his success didn’t go unnoticed.
The Giants called him up to the major leagues in April of 2019, and he made his debut on April 29th against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Called Up to the Major Leagues in 2019
C. While Joe’s time in the major leagues was brief in 2019, he showed flashes of the potential that had made him a first-round draft pick years earlier.
He hit his first major league home run on May 5th against the Cincinnati Reds, and he finished the season with a .206 batting average and three home runs in 84 at-bats.
While those numbers might not seem impressive on the surface, the Giants were encouraged by Joe’s performance and saw him as a player with untapped potential.
The 2020 Season
The 2020 MLB season was unlike any other in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was shortened to just 60 games, and teams played games without fans in attendance.
Despite the unusual circumstances, Connor Joe was excited about the opportunity to build on the progress he made in his brief time with the Giants in 2019.
Struggles During the Pandemic-shortened Season
Unfortunately, the 2020 season was a struggle for Joe. He started the year on the Giants’ taxi squad, but he was never called up to the major league roster. Instead, he spent the entire season at the Giants’ alternate training site, where he struggled to find his rhythm at the plate.
He hit just .167 with one home run in 30 at-bats during intrasquad games, and he was never given the chance to prove himself at the major league level.
Waived by the Giants and Picked Up by the Rockies
In November 2020, the Giants waived Connor Joe, and he was claimed by the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies were intrigued by Joe’s versatility and ability to get on base, and they saw him as a player with the potential to contribute at the major league level.
They added him to their 40-man roster and gave him an opportunity to compete for a spot on their roster in 2021.
Signing With the Pirates in 2023
In March of 2023, Connor Joe signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates were impressed by Joe’s versatility and ability to get on base, and they saw him as a player who could provide depth at multiple positions on the field.
Strong Performance in the Game Against the White Sox
Joe wasted no time making an impact with his new team, as he had a strong performance in his first game with the Pirates. On Friday, April 14th, he went 4-for-5 with three doubles, one RBI, and two runs scored in a win over the Chicago White Sox.
This was a career-high for Joe in hits and doubles in a single game, and it showcased his potential to be a valuable contributor to the Pirates’ lineup.
What This Could Mean for His Career
While it’s too early to say what this game means for Connor Joe’s career in the long term, it’s certainly an encouraging sign.
After struggling in the minor leagues and facing setbacks early in his major league career, Joe has shown resilience and a willingness to keep working hard to improve his game.
If he can continue to produce at the plate and make a positive impact on the field for the Pirates, it could lead to more opportunities for him in the future.
For now, though, Joe will be focused on helping his new team win games and make a positive impact in the major leagues.
Connor Joe’s Career Summary
| Year | Team | Level | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | LAD | Rookie | 49 | .264 | 1 | 13 |
| 2015 | LAD | A+ | 118 | .267 | 5 | 63 |
| 2016 | LAD | AA | 132 | .246 | 7 | 52 |
| 2017 | LAD | AA/AAA | 97 | .244 | 5 | 36 |
| 2018 | ATL | AA/AAA | 29 | .141 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | SFG | AAA | 97 | .300 | 15 | 68 |
| 2019 | SFG | MLB | 12 | .167 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | COL | MLB | 16 | .176 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | PIT | MLB | 1 | .800 | 0 | 1 |
This table shows the team, level, games played, batting average, home runs, and RBIs for each year of Connor Joe’s professional baseball career.
It highlights his struggles in the minor leagues, his impressive performance with the San Francisco Giants Triple-A team in 2019, and his recent signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What positions can Connor Joe play?
Connor Joe is a versatile player who can play multiple positions on the field. He has experience playing first base, third base, outfield, and even catcher.
How did Connor Joe perform in college?
Connor Joe played college baseball at the University of San Diego. In his junior year, he was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year after hitting .367 with 9 home runs and 51 RBIs.
Has Connor Joe ever played in the MLB All-Star Game?
No, Connor Joe has not yet played in the MLB All-Star Game.
What is Connor Joe’s contract status with the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Connor Joe signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in March of 2023.
How old is Connor Joe?
As of 2023, Connor Joe is 28 years old.
To Recap
Connor Joe’s journey in professional baseball has been full of highs and lows. From being drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Dodgers to being waived by the San Francisco Giants, Joe has faced many challenges along the way. However, he has remained persistent and has continued to work hard to improve his game.
After signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023, Joe had a strong performance in his first game with the team. While it’s too early to say what this means for his career in the long term, it’s certainly an encouraging sign that he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to the Pirates’ lineup.
Regardless of what the future holds for Connor Joe, his story is a testament to the resilience and determination required to succeed in professional sports. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors on and off the field.
