Josh Lindblom's journey through professional baseball is a tale of perseverance and adaptability. Born on June 15, 1987, in Lafayette, Indiana, Lindblom attended Harrison High School before moving on to play college baseball at the University of Tennessee and later at Purdue University. His talent on the mound caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts, and in 2008, he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the MLB Draft.
Lindblom began his professional career in the minor leagues, where he honed his skills as a pitcher. He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers on June 1, 2011. During his time with the Dodgers, Lindblom primarily served as a relief pitcher, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations. His tenure with the Dodgers lasted until mid-2012, when he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies as part of a deal for Shane Victorino.
With the Phillies, Lindblom continued to work out of the bullpen, providing valuable innings for the team. However, his stay in Philadelphia was brief, as he was traded to the Texas Rangers in December 2012. The Rangers saw potential in Lindblom as a starting pitcher, and he spent time both in the majors and minors, transitioning between starting and relieving roles.
In 2014, Lindblom was traded to the Oakland Athletics, but his time there was short-lived. He spent most of the season in the minors, and after being released by the Athletics, he signed with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2015. This move marked a turning point in Lindblom's career.
Playing in the KBO allowed Lindblom to reinvent himself as a starting pitcher. He quickly became a standout player for the Lotte Giants, earning a reputation for his strong performances on the mound. After two seasons with the Giants, Lindblom returned to the United States in 2017, signing a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, he found limited opportunities in MLB and returned to the KBO later that year, this time joining the Doosan Bears.
Lindblom's second stint in the KBO proved to be even more successful. With the Doosan Bears, he became one of the league's top pitchers, earning the KBO League Most Valuable Player Award in 2019. His impressive performance in Korea caught the attention of MLB teams once again, and in December 2019, Lindblom signed a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Returning to MLB with the Brewers, Lindblom faced the challenges of adapting back to the major league level. He pitched for Milwaukee during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, contributing both as a starter and reliever. Despite facing ups and downs, Lindblom's journey through different leagues and roles demonstrated his adaptability and determination to succeed in professional baseball.
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