Joey Terdoslavich

Joseph Thomas Terdoslavich (born September 9, 1988) is an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. After attending California State University, Long Beach, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2010. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Braves in 2013.

Joey Terdoslavich
Terdoslavich with the Atlanta Braves in 2014
Chicago Dogs – No. 7
First baseman / Outfielder
Born: (1988-09-09) September 9, 1988
Sarasota, Florida
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 4, 2013, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through 2015 season)
Batting average.221
Home runs1
Runs batted in10
Teams

Early life and career

Of Croatian descent,[1][2] Joseph Thomas Terdoslavich was born in Sarasota, Florida on September 9, 1988. He and his brother Tyler were raised in a single-parent household by Joe Terdoslavich Sr. When Joey learned to walk at eight months old, his father began teaching him how to hit. Terdoslavich started using a Wiffle ball bat and tee at ten months of age and first threw a baseball at three years of age.[1] He attended Sarasota High School in his hometown and was teammates with Eric Erickson and Mark Sobolewski. Terdoslavich's high school teams were coached by Clyde Metcalf. As a junior in 2006, Terdoslavich hit .411 with three homers, 29 RBI and set a school record with 23 doubles. That year Sarasota lost the state championship to Charles W. Flanagan High School. After the season, he was named to the second All-State team. In his senior season, Terdoslavich won a state title and hit .411 with five homers, leading his team with 32 RBI. His 2007 performance netted him a second team Louisville Slugger All-American award. Baseball America ranked him the 87th best prospect of the year, and he was drafted in the 35th round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Terdoslavich did not sign, choosing instead to attend the University of Miami where high school teammates Erickson and Sobolewski were playing baseball, after visits to Florida and Central Florida. In his lone freshman season with the Miami Hurricanes baseball team, Terdoslavich roomed with D.J. Swatscheno, who had pitched for the 2006 Flanagan High baseball team.[3]

He later transferred to California State University, Long Beach, where he played for the Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team.[4] In 2009, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[5] He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round of the 2010 MLB draft and signed with the Braves for $125,000.[6][7] Terdoslavich had a successful season in 2011 for the high-A Lynchburg Hillcats in the Braves minor league system (he hit a Carolina League record 52 doubles)[8] and was sent to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League,[9] making the Fall League All Star team.[10] He started the 2012 season playing with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, making the jump from A to AAA.[11] He split the 2012 season between Gwinnett and the Double-A Mississippi Braves.

Terdoslavich began playing the outfield in 2013 and started the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.[12] He was named to the All-Star Futures Game,[13][14] but did not appear in the contest, as he had been called up to the Atlanta Braves on July 4, 2013.

MLB career

Atlanta Braves

The Braves promoted him to the major leagues on July 4, 2013 to replace the injured Jordan Schafer.[15] Terdoslavich recorded a hit in his second major league at-bat, a pinch-hit single off of Jonathan Papelbon.[16] He spent the rest of the year with Atlanta used mostly as a pinch-hitter.[17] In 55 games (14 starts), Terdoslavich hit .215 with 4 RBI, 4 doubles and 12 walks. Terdoslavich played with the Toros del Este in the offseason, hitting .291 with 2 HR and a .762 OPS. In 85 games with Gwinnett, Terdoslavich hit .318 with 18 HR, 58 RBI, and a .926 OPS. He was named an International League Postseason All-Star, as well as Gwinnett's MVP.[18]

With the Gwinnett Braves in 2013

Terdoslavich began 2014 with Gwinnett for the third consecutive season. He was named the International League Batter of the Week for August 18 to 24.[19] He was promoted to the major league team on September 1, 2014.[20] He started the 2015 season with Gwinnett, then was reinstated in June 2015 to replace Eric Young Jr., who was designated for assignment.[21] He hit his first major league home run on June 9, 2015, off of San Diego Padres' relief pitcher, Joaquín Benoit in the Braves' 6-5 win.[22] He was sent back to Gwinnett on the following day, when Kelly Johnson was activated from the DL.[23] He was recalled to the Braves on June 23, when Freddie Freeman was placed on the 15-day DL.[24] Terdslavich was optioned back to Gwinnett on July 7, 2015, in order to make room on the roster for Mike Foltynewicz, who was called up for the purpose of providing extra relief help in Atlanta's bullpen.[25] Terdoslavich was called up again on July 17, 2015, after closer Jason Grilli suffered a season-ending injury.[26] On July 25, 2015, the Braves made a series of roster moves following the trade of Johnson and Juan Uribe to the New York Mets on the previous day. Freeman was activated from the disabled list and infielders Daniel Castro and Adonis García were called up from Gwinnett. Terdoslavich was sent down to Gwinnett in order to clear the extra roster spot.[27] He was recalled to Atlanta on August 4, 2015, when Freeman was again placed on the DL.[28] When Freeman returned from the disabled list on August 19, Terdoslavich was sent down to Gwinnett, where he spent the rest of the minor league 2015 season.[29] Terdoslavich was not among the players who were called up for roster expansions in September 2015.

On January 8, 2016, the Braves waived Terdoslavich to make room on the 40 man roster for Kelly Johnson, who had re-signed with the Braves.

Baltimore Orioles

He was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles on the same day.[30][31] The Orioles designated Terdoslavich for assignment on January 21, 2016 in order to make room on the roster for Chris Davis, who had re-signed with the team.[32] On January 28, 2016, the Orioles outrighted Terdoslavich to their Triple A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides.[33] Terdoslavich hit for a .140 batting average in his time with the Tides, and was demoted to the Double A Bowie Baysox in April 2016 as prospect Trey Mancini was promoted.[34] While playing in the Eastern League, Tedoslavich improved significantly, battling .246 with 14 home runs and 62 RBI. He became a free agent after the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On January 18, 2017, Terdoslavich signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates that included an invitation to spring training.[35] He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.[36]

New York Mets

On June 14, 2018, Terdoslavich signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.[37] He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.[38]

On February 21, 2020, Terdoslavich re-signed with the Mets to a minor league deal. In March 2020, the remainder of spring training and the regular season was shut down until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Roster transactions were also temporarily frozen until the week of May 29. Terdoslavich was among several players released by the Mets at this time.

Independent league career

Lancaster Barnstormers

On April 16, 2018, Terdoslavich signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[39] He re-signed with the team on March 6, 2019.[40] Terdoslavich became a free agent following the season.

Chicago Dogs

On June 18, 2020, Terdoslavich signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association.

Personal

Terdoslavich is the nephew of Mike Greenwell.[1][31]

References
  1. Lang, Chris (May 29, 2011). "Hillcats Q&A: Joey Terdoslavich". The News & Advance. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  2. Cartwright, Guy (March 29, 2012). "Braves look to third baseman of future". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  3. Villa, Walter (April 20, 2008). "Former Sailor and UM freshman a big hit". Sarasota Herald Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  4. Keisser, Bob (February 17, 2010). "Terdoslavich makes the switch to Long Beach". Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  5. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  6. "Five Dirtbags taken in Draft". Long Beach Press Telegram. June 8, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. Keisser, Bob (June 25, 2010). "Buckley on Dirtbag search". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  8. Schoenholtz, David (September 5, 2011). "Terdoslavich breaks 65-year-old record". MILB.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  9. "Hillcats Impressing In Arizona". MILB.com. October 19, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  10. O'Brien, David (November 9, 2011). "Braves prospect Terdoslavich gains notice in Arizona". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  11. Rosecrans, C. Trent (August 19, 2012). "Prospect spotlight: Joey Terdoslavich, Braves' switch-hitting 3B prospect". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  12. Walton, Carroll Rogers (July 4, 2013). "Braves call up Terdoslavich; disable Schafer – updated". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  13. Single, Eric (June 26, 2013). "Bethancourt, Terdoslavich named to Futures Game". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  14. Lezotte, Dave (June 26, 2013). "Terdoslavich Named to MLB Futures Game". MILB.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  15. Bowman, Mark. "Braves put Schafer on DL and promote Terdoslavich". MLB.com. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  16. O'Brien, David (July 6, 2013). "Braves rally falls short, road woes continue". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  17. Bowman, Mark (2013). "Hard-working Terdoslavich driven to succeed". MLB.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  18. Lezotte, Dave (March 31, 2014). "Gwinnett Braves Announce 2014 Opening Day Roster". MILB.com.
  19. "G-Braves' Terdoslavich named IL Batter of the Week". Gwinnett Daily Post. August 25, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  20. Stinson, Thomas (September 1, 2014). "Terdoslavich back in Atlanta uniform". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  21. "Braves Replace Eric Young Jr". New York Times. Associated Press. June 6, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  22. McCartney, Cory (June 10, 2015). "Three Cuts: Terdoslavich's first career homer lifts Braves past Padres". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  23. "Braves activate Kelly Johnson from DL, send Terdoslavich down to Triple-A". Fox Sports. June 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  24. Stephenson, Creg (June 23, 2015). "Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman placed on 15-day disabled list". The Birmingham News. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  25. O'Brien, David (July 7, 2015). "Folty in the Braves 'pen: Preview of future?". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  26. O'Brien, David (July 17, 2015). "Braves need reset coming back from break". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  27. "Freeman returns, but Braves shut out 1-0 by Cardinals". The Oklahoman. Associated Press. July 25, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  28. O'Brien, David (August 4, 2015). "Freeman back on DL, this time for oblique strain". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  29. Stephenson, Creg (August 19, 2015). "Atlanta Braves activate Freddie Freeman from disabled list". Huntsville Times. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  30. Encina, Eduardo A. (January 8, 2016). "Orioles claim Joey Terdoslavich off waivers from Braves". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  31. Ghiroli, Brittany (January 8, 2016). "Orioles claim versatile Terdoslavich off waivers". MLB.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  32. "Davis signs for 7 years, $161 million with Orioles". Boston Herald. Associated Press. January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  33. Eddy, Matt (February 2, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Jan. 21-29". Baseball America. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  34. Hall, David (April 26, 2016). "At last, hot-hitting Mancini reaches Norfolk". Virginian Pilot. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  35. Sheldon, Mark (January 18, 2017). "Pirates sign Terdoslavich to Minor League deal". MLB.com. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  36. Eddy, Matt (November 15, 2017). "Minor League Free Agent Tracker 2017". Baseball America. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  37. "Joey Terdoslavich's Contract Purchased by Mets". June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  38. Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  39. "Barnstormers Add Two to Infield". Lancaster Barnstormers. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  40. "Terdoslavich returns". Lancaster Barnstormers. March 6, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
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