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Jack-of-all-trades Josh Donaldson

01/23/2020 9:16 AM

Article By: Benjamin Gainsboro

Josh Donaldson (Harwich '06)


        Though he has since made his mark as a 3rd baseman at the MLB level, Josh Donaldson proved to be a jack-of-all-trades in the 2006 Cape League season. As a member of the Harwich Mariners, Donaldson played 17 games at 3rd base, but also played 16 games at catcher. Interestingly enough, it was his off-position, catcher, that warranted the attention of the Cape League All-Star committee, as he started the game behind the dish for the East All-Stars back in 2006. Besides his versatility in the field, Donaldson was unsurprisingly a menace with the bat in his hands throughout the ’06 season.

 

        He led Harwich in batting average (.302), hits (45), doubles (11), home runs (4), RBI (21), runs (23) and slugging percentage (.456). Considering the native from Pensacola, Florida, won the MLB MVP Award in 2015, the Hank Aaron Award in the same season, and Silver Slugger Awards in 2015 and 2016, it should come as no surprise that he practically was the entire Harwich offense in his lone Cape League season. Although the Mariners were not able to make much noise in the playoffs that year, Donaldson certainly earned the respect and recognition from his teammates, his coaches, and the scouts that traveled to see him play.