Josh Ekness #95

Started collegiate career at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Played two seasons there before transferring to the University of Houston. Combined to go 3-9 with a 6.34 ERA (78 ER/110.2 IP), 82 walks and 130 strikeouts in 41 games (27 starts). Attended The Woodlands HS in The Woodlands, Texas...Son of Mike and Lisa, has one sibling, Courtney.

2025

Participated in his first Major League Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. Went 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA (2 ER/6 IP), seven hits, four walks and four strikeouts in six appearances before being reassigned to Minor League camp...Started season with Double-A Pensacola, pitching to a 4-1 record and 2.73 ERA (16 ER/52.2 IP) in 43 relief appearances with 10 saves, 21 walks and 66 strikeouts...Converted first nine save opportunities from April 4-July 3 before first blown save on July 22 at Knoxville...Led the Blue Wahoos' bullpen in appearances, innings, saves and games finished (33) while ranking second in strikeouts...Recorded at least one strikeout in 34 of 43 appearances, including multiple strikeouts in 16 of those outings. Recorded a season-high five strikeouts in two innings on April 17 at Columbus...Did not allow any home runs in 52.2 innings at the Double-A level. Marked only Pensacola reliever with over 40 innings pitched that did not allow a homer...Promoted to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sept. 9. Allowed nine runs in 1.1 innings over three outings, with five walks and two strikeouts for a 60.75 ERA...Placed on Jacksonville's seven-day IL on Sept. 19 and did not appear in the Postseason with the Jumbo Shrimp.

2024

Combined to go 4-3 with a 1.91 ERA (14 ER/66.0 IP) in his second professional season over 48 appearances split between Single-A Jupiter (10 games), High-A Beloit (34 games) and Double-A Pensacola (four games)…Struck out 83 batters between the three levels, good for a 11.3 strikeout per nine ratio...Started season with the Hammerheads, going 1-0 and allowing just one earned run in 13 innings pitched (0.69 ERA) in his 10 appearances. Walked three batters against 21 strikeouts and converted four of four saves...Promoted to High-A Beloit and debuted with the Sky Carp on May 8. Tossed a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to record the save...Posted a 1.65 ERA (9 ER/49.0 IP) in 34 apps. with Beloit from May 8-Sept. 1. Walked 22 batters against 55 strikeouts and converted one of two save opportunities...Elevated to Double-A Pensacola to finish the season. Allowed four runs on six hits in four innings pitched with one walk and seven strikeouts in four appearances with the Blue Wahoos...Held left-handed hitters to a .191 AVG (21-for-110).

2023

Made just seven appearances in his professional career debut, including one outing with the FCL Marlins and six outings with Single-A Jupiter. Converted three of three saves...Combined to allow five runs in 9.1 innings (4.82 ERA) with 11 walks and 11 strikeouts. Held opponents to a .200 AVG (7-for-35).