Josh Sharpless #44

Joshua David Sharpless...Is a 1999 graduate of Freedom (PA) High School, where he played baseball, basketball and soccer...Was named to All-Section team in soccer and baseball...Also played baseball at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, where he was a first team All-Conference...Is the first native of Beaver County to pitch for the Pirates since Hopewell's George Medich in 1976...Signed by Pirate scout Jon Mercurio...Participated in team's annual Winter Caravan this past off-season.

2006

Went 3-1 with nine saves and a 1.83 ERA in 37 Minor League relief appearances before being promoted to the Major Leagues on 7/31...Began season with Double-A Altoona...Was scored upon just twice in his 14 outings with the Curve. ...Worked two scoreless innings on Opening Day and picked up win on 4/6 vs. Trenton...Earned a save in five straight appearances from 4/9-22...Was scored upon for first time in 4/22 contest...Picked up second and final win with Altoona on 4/25 vs. Portland...Was scored upon a second time with Altoona on 5/2 at Erie...Was added to big-league roster for Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown, N.Y., on 5/15...Was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on 5/18. ...Tossed a perfect 9th inning to earn the save in Triple-A debut on 5/18 vs. Charlotte...Was scored upon just once in his first five games with Indianapolis...Earned first win with Indians while working a season-high three scoreless innings on 6/1 vs. Scranton Wilkes Barre...Suffered only loss while being charged with a season-high three runs on 6/11 vs. Louisville...Did not allow a run in seven consecutive games (9.0 IP) from 6/15 thru 7/4...Was named to the United States squad of the All-Star Futures Game at PNC Park (replaced Tom Gorzelanny on the roster due to his promotion to Pittsburgh)...Tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in the Futures Game (entered the contest with the bases loaded before striking against Chin Lung Hu to end the 5th inning)...Was scored upon in back-to-back appearances on 7/15 and 7/18...Was recalled by Pittsburgh on 7/31...Walked the bases loaded but worked a scoreless inning in Major League debut on 8/1 vs. Atlanta...Suffered a sprained right ankle while being scored upon for first time on 8/9 at Houston and was placed on the disabled list the following day...Was reinstated from the 15-day DL on 9/1...Was scored upon once in final 10 games (9.1 IP) after being reinstated from the disabled list...Allowed just one hit in final five outings...Allowed three of his 11 inherited runners to score...Did not receive a plate appearance with Pittsburgh.

2005

Went 4-0 with five saves and a 0.74 ERA in 24 minor league appearances with Lynchburg (A) and Altoona (AA)...Also struck out 59 and walked just 14 batters in 36.1 innings of work...Began season with Lynchburg and was not charged with an earned run in his 17 outings...Struck out five of the six batters he faced in his first appearance on 4/8 vs. Frederick and picked up first win in second game on 4/13 vs. Potomac (game two)...Earned first save on 4/24 vs. Salem...Held opponents to a .067 batting average in his six April appearances (2-for-30)...Surrendered lone run in his 2.0 innings of work on 5/6 vs. Myrtle Beach...Picked up a save in three straight outings from 5/21-31...Whiffed five of the six batters he faced while earning fourth save on 5/23 @Potomac...Held opponents to a .059 average in May (2-for-34)...Tossed a season-high 2.1 innings on 6/3 @Winston-Salem. ...Struck out six of the seven batters he faced in his final appearance with the Hillcats on 6/10 vs. Salem...Limited Carolina League hitters to a .081 batting average (7-for-86)...Was promoted to Double-A on 6/12 and tossed 1.1 scoreless frames in his first outing on 6/13 @Norwich...Picked up lone victory with Altoona on 6/20 vs. Bowie...Was scored upon in each of his last three appearances (5.0ip/3r/3er) after making four straight scoreless Double-A outings (4.1ip)...Was placed on disabled list on 6/30 with right elbow inflammation and missed remainder of the season.

2004

Spent entire season with Hickory (A)...Led club in appearances...Held opponents to a .158 batting average (42-for-265). ...Averaged 13.2 strikeouts per 9.0ip...Lost first two decisions and went 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA (11.0ip/13r/11er) in his first seven games thru 5/3...Made 10 straight scoreless appearances (19.0ip) from 5/8 to 6/5 and was not charged with an earned run in 15 consecutive outings (25.2ip) from 5/8 to 6/19...Earned first save on 5/29 @Delmarva...Held opponents to a .111 batting average (7-for-63) and posted a 0.96 ERA in nine games during the month of May...Won each of his final six decisions...Was scored upon just once in his last 13 appearances, surrendering just one earned run in 18.2 innings of work (0.48 ERA).

2003

Spent first professional season with New York-Penn League champion Williamsport after being selected by Pittsburgh in the 24th round of the June draft...Held opposing hitters to a .173 average (19-for-110) and produced a 12.9 strikeout/9.0ip ratio. ...Made four scoreless outings (8.0ip/1 hit) to start his career...Surrendered two runs in 0.2ip and suffered lone loss on 6/29 @Hudson Valley...Was scored upon just once in his next nine appearances thru 7/30 (13.0ip)...Earned first professional save on 7/27 @Brooklyn (game two)...Also picked up a save in his next outing on 7/30 vs. New Jersey...Posted a 0.69 ERA (13.0ip/1er) in nine appearances during the month of July...Surrendered two runs in 1.0ip, but recorded lone victory on 8/2 vs. Hudson Valley...Allowed three runs in 1.2 innings of work on 8/18 @New Jersey...Earned saves in back-to-back outings on 8/24 and 8/27.