Unlike movies like The Natural, Josh Donaldson is the personification of how baseball players are crafted, not born. Most MLB players require the experience, the resolve, and the humility that any tour of the Minors will inevitably bring. What is innate is attitude and some are simply born survivors and leaders often molded by their personal circumstances. Meet Josh Donaldson, two time A’s Heart and Hustle of the Year winner in both 2013 and 2014. As the 48th Player selected in the 2007 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs, his route to stardom was far from straight-forward or simple. His humble pie started in 2007 with the Arizona League Cubs where certain qualities endeared him to the clever, forward thinking scouts. He was already a “Billy Bean prototype” before he ever even met Billy Bean. He walked more than he struck out. He scored and drove in runs in the clutch. His slugging percentage always near the top of his teams where he played. What he did struggle with was consistency and frustration, sometimes these traits covered his other jewel-like qualities. Later in 2007, the Cubs discouraged him by moving him to Class A Boise.
The upwards projection was far too slow for Josh, the former Auburn college star wanted a short path to the bigs, something not available in his childhood. The struggling almost mirrored the struggles of his very disjointed upbringing and early home life. He was raised by his single mother, Lisa French. His father Levon Donaldson was a convicted sex offender that served 15 of 22 year sentence from 1992-2007. Josh was 7 years old when his father went to jail. He was 22 when his father was released in Parole. The long route was the only one available.
Following advice to increase his MLB potential value by adding “Catcher” to his resume. Not exactly great news for a player five years into his goal of being a Major League Professional Ball Player. It seemed that someone had taken his apparent limitations and slapped a “utility” tag on him.
Not easily discouraged, Donaldson plodded forward looking to breakthrough. Finally on April 30, 2010 the A’s called him up. Plate appearance number one was a three pitch strikeout, but his second trip was a home run ironically off Blue Jays. His “bigs” stay was brief and Josh returned to AAA where his average was improving to .270 with 17 Home Runs- a return to the Majors was now in sight again. When A’s regular 3B Brandon Inge sustained a significant injury, Donaldson was next up. This time he was ready to be the promise A’s had traded for back in 2009. He also started to show occasional “star quality” and drama in seizing the moment. For example, on April 12, 2013 he hit his first of what would be many more to come, walk-off home runs. On June 7th 2013 he hit his first Grand Slam over Chicago White Sox ace , Chris Sale. The historic recent night versus the White Sox was not totally without precedent. But the more established, more confident now Blue Jay “The Donald” went 4 for 4, with 5 runs scored and two home runs including a walk off winner.
As good as 2013 final lines showed- 158 Games Played, .301 Batting Average and 24 home runs with 93 RBI, Josh was quickly becoming a Star. He was actually 4th in AL MVP Voting that season. In 2014 he again elevated for A’s now being the AL starting 3B, whatever had happened to the “utility” tag that was being affixed to his skill set. He participated in the All Star Game and was a member of the home run Derby, another testament to his increased power reputation.. His 2014 power was now firmly entrenched as 31 Doubles, 2 Triples and 29 home runs indicated. He also slugged .798 with 76 Base on Balls and 98 RBI. Quite frankly, why would any Team want to trade a Player of his status. His attitude was exemplary with his back to back Heart and Hustle Awards in 2013-14. Also his fielding was excellent as indicated by the Fielding Bible Award win for 2014 illustrates. Location, money, location and money. The Oakland A’s will not pay out huge contracts and The Donald wanted 5.75 Million and A’s were closer to 3 million- a long way apart. When Toronto came calling with a 3B suitor named Brett Lawrie, the A’s jumped the chance to unload a potentially monstrous contract on their small market Payroll. He was replaceable- they thought.
So far in 2015 they could not have been more wrong. If anything, Donaldson keeps getting better and better. So far in 49 Games he is hitting .314 with 14 home runs and 35 RBI. He also has scored 41 runs clearly the team catalyst from the two hole. He has also cut way back on strikeouts, one of his flaws in 2013 totals was 130 strikeouts. This Season he only has 38 . Instead of being trade bait this time he may be the reason the Blue Jays can unload some other offensive hero to get a quality starter. Pitching woes (5.24 Team ERA) have kept the team under .500. At 22-27 its time to act. With even decent Pitching Jays would be in 1st Place. His heart, his hustle and his over-achievement have already shown the Jay teammates, his Coach and most of all his fans that right now, he is the AL MVP. By the way A’s were right about the money, Donaldson lost his arbitration and the Blue Jay counter of 4.3 million was accepted. How insignificant all of that seems right now.
