Major League Career
In 2000 he appeared in one game for Toronto at the age of 22. The following year, he caught in 7 games, and went hitless in 12 at bats. In 2002, he hit .309 with a .562 slugging percentage, and was 5th in the AL in HBP (17). In 2003, he hit a career-high 20 home runs. In August 2004, he was traded by the Blue Jays to the Cleveland Indians for Eric Crozier.
In December 2004, he signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In January 2006, he was signed by the Detroit Tigers to a minor league contract. In November 2006, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles to a one-year minor league contract, but he was acquired by the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft on December 7, 2006. On March 30, 2007, he was placed on the New York Yankee 40-man roster, beating out Andy Phillips. Initially picked to platoon at first base with Doug Mientkiewicz, manager Joe Torre hinted that Phelps might man the position by himself if his impressive spring training numbers continued into the regular season. On June 19, 2007, Phelps was designated for assignment. He was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 22 and replaced Brad Eldred on their 25-man roster.
On November 29, 2007, he elected to file for free agency and was signed to a minor league contract by the St. Louis Cardinals on January 10, 2008. Phelps was promoted to the Major League roster on August 27, 2008.
On October 15, 2008, he was designated for assignment to make room for left-handed relief specialist, Charlie Manning.
On November 3, 2008, the San Francisco Giants signed Josh Phelps to a minor league contract with a spring training invite
Phelps is the all-time leader in home runs for a player born in Alaska.
Read more about this topic: Josh Phelps
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