Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Josh Donaldson

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Josh Donaldson made an impact.

Josh Donaldson is a former American professional baseball third baseman. He played 13 seasons in MLB for several teams, including the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees. Known for his offensive production and defensive skills at third base, Donaldson was an All-Star and won the American League MVP award in 2015 while playing for Toronto.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1926: Only the third Yankees player with a walk-off ultimate grand slam in Yankees franchise history

On August 17, 2022, Josh Donaldson hit a walk-off grand slam in the tenth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, winning the game 8–7. He became only the third Yankees player with a walk-off ultimate grand slam in Yankees franchise history, following Babe Ruth (1926) and Jason Giambi (2002).

2002: Only the third Yankees player with a walk-off ultimate grand slam in Yankees franchise history

2007: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs

In 2007, Josh Donaldson was drafted as a catcher in the first round (48th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs. In his first minor league season Donaldson played 53 games for the Rookie Arizona League Cubs and Short Season-A Boise Hawks, batting a combined .335 with nine home runs and 25 RBIs.

July 2008: Traded to Oakland Athletics

In July 2008, Josh Donaldson was traded to the Oakland Athletics. He then played 47 games with the Advanced-A Stockton Ports, where he batted .330 and had nine home runs and 39 RBIs.

2008: Played with the Class-A Peoria Chiefs

In 2008, Josh Donaldson played 63 games with the Class-A Peoria Chiefs, where he hit .217 with six home runs and 23 RBIs.

2009: Played with the Double-A Midland RockHounds

In 2009, Josh Donaldson played the entire season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds, and recorded a batting average of .270 with nine home runs and 91 RBIs.

April 30, 2010: Called up to the Majors

On April 30, 2010, Josh Donaldson was called up to the majors for the first time, filling in for injured catcher Kurt Suzuki. He made his debut that night as a pinch hitter.

2010: MLB Debut

In 2010, Josh Donaldson made his Major League Baseball debut with the Oakland Athletics as a catcher.

2011: Played in Sacramento

Josh Donaldson played the entire 2011 season in Sacramento, improving his average to .261, and hit 17 home runs and 70 RBIs.

2012: Third Baseman

In 2012, Josh Donaldson converted to third base from catching. He helped the A's into making the postseason, and finished the 2012 season with nine home runs, 33 RBIs and a .241 average.

April 12, 2013: First Career Walk-Off Home Run

On April 12, 2013, Josh Donaldson hit his first career walk-off home run against Detroit Tigers reliever Brayan Villarreal.

September 13, 2013: Father Watches Him Play

On September 13, 2013, Josh Donaldson's father watched him play baseball in person for the first time, against the Texas Rangers. Donaldson had a strong performance, walking twice, hitting a home run, and a double in three at-bats, contributing to the Athletics' 9-8 victory.

November 28, 2014: Traded to Toronto Blue Jays

On November 28, 2014, Josh Donaldson was traded by the Athletics to the Toronto Blue Jays.

2014: Traded to Blue Jays

After the 2014 season, Josh Donaldson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

2014: First All-Star Appearance and Fielding Bible Award

In 2014, Josh Donaldson was elected to his first All-Star appearance. Donaldson also won his first career Fielding Bible Award for his work at third base.

2014: All-Star Selection

In the 2014 MLB season, Josh Donaldson became an All-Star.

2015: AL Player of the Week and All-Star Selection

In 2015, Josh Donaldson was named the American League Player of the Week for the second time in his career and was elected as a starter to the 2015 MLB All-Star Game.

2015: Salary Arbitration

In February, 2015, Josh Donaldson lost his salary arbitration case against the Blue Jays after seeking $5.75 million. Instead, he was awarded the Blue Jays' offer of $4.3 million for the 2015 season.

2015: AL MVP and All-Star

In the 2015 MLB season, Josh Donaldson was named as a starter to the MLB All-Star Game, earned the most fan votes, and was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player. Donaldson also won the Silver Slugger Award and led the American League in RBIs (runs batted in) and runs scored in 2015.

2015: Best Season

Observers noted that 2015 was one of Josh Donaldson's best seasons. On September 7, Donaldson hit his 100th career home run. Donaldson finished the 2015 regular season with a .297 batting average, 122 runs scored, 41 doubles, 41 home runs, and 123 RBIs.

February 2016: Contract Extension

In February 2016, Josh Donaldson signed a two-year, $28.65 million extension with the Blue Jays that paid him $11.65 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2017.

2016: High Level of Play

In 2016, Josh Donaldson continued his high level of play from his MVP season and was named to the All-Star Game.

2017: Contract Extension Signed

In February 2016, Josh Donaldson signed a two-year, $28.65 million extension that paid him $11.65 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2017.

January 12, 2018: Avoided Arbitration

On January 12, 2018, Josh Donaldson avoided salary arbitration with the Blue Jays by agreeing to a one-year, $23 million contract for the 2018 season.

August 2018: Traded to Indians

In August 2018, Josh Donaldson was traded to the Cleveland Indians.

August 31, 2018: Traded to Cleveland Indians

On August 31, 2018, Josh Donaldson was traded by the Blue Jays to the Cleveland Indians.

September 11, 2018: Activated from Disabled List

On September 11, 2018, Josh Donaldson was activated from the disabled list by the Cleveland Indians, making his debut that evening.

November 26, 2018: Signed with Atlanta Braves

On November 26, 2018, Josh Donaldson signed a one-year, $23 million contract with the Atlanta Braves.

2019: Signed with Braves

In 2019, Josh Donaldson signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

January 22, 2020: Signed with Minnesota Twins

On January 22, 2020, Josh Donaldson signed a four-year $92 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.

January 31, 2021: Number Change

On January 31, 2021, Josh Donaldson changed his number from 24 to 20.

March 13, 2022: Traded to Yankees

On March 13, 2022, Josh Donaldson was traded to the New York Yankees.

2022: Traded to Yankees

For the 2022 season, Josh Donaldson was traded to the New York Yankees.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

In 2022, Josh Donaldson had a batting average of .222, an on-base percentage of .308, and a slugging percentage of .374, with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs. He also made contact with only 75.5% of pitches in the strike zone, which was the lowest percentage in the major leagues during 2022.

August 29, 2023: Yankees Release Donaldson

On August 29, 2023, the Yankees released Josh Donaldson after an injury-shortened season.

August 31, 2023: Signed with Brewers

On August 31, 2023, Josh Donaldson signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

2023: 2023 Season and Injury

In 2023, Josh Donaldson batted .142 with 10 home runs and 15 RBIs in 33 games. He was placed on the injured list on July 16 due to a right calf strain, and reports on July 17 indicated he might miss the rest of the 2023 season. He was then moved to the 60-day injured list on July 21 and was released on August 29.