June 24, 2011
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Former Sun Devil lefty Josh Spence became the 98th Sun Devil to play Major League Baseball when he made his big league debut for the San Diego Padres on Friday night. The Australian pitched the ninth inning of the Padres win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. He retired Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann. the only three hitters he faced.
Spence was the National Newcomer of the Year in 2009 when he went 10-1 for the Pac-10 Champions. He helped lead the Devils to the College World Series and a Third Place national finish.
Arizona State has now sent 98 players to play in Major League Baseball since baseball became a varsity sport in 1959, the most of any school in that time span.