Word leaked out that Josh Kimborowicz was signed as a minor league free agent by the Dodgers on Thursday, July 14. It wasn’t so much of a leak as it was a discovery, as the Southern Illinois Miners of the Independent Frontier League had issued a press release detailing his signing on Monday, July 11.

Josh Kimborowicz
(Photo courtesy of MiLB.com

The 24-year-old native of Seattle, Washington had begun his college career at Western Nevada Community College. Dodger fans following the most recent draft may recall that the Dodgers selected their 2016 4th-round pick – DJ Peters – out of Western Nevada Community College.

Following the now almost requisite Tommy John surgery in 2011, Kimborowicz transferred to Everett Community College in Everett, Washington.

When he made his college debut in 2013, the results weren’t quite as expected. That is, instead of slowly swinging into action he almost instantly emerged as the ace of an Everett team that won the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championship. He posted a 4-1 record along with a 1.58 ERA, as well as 39 strikeouts and 14 walks in 34 innings pitched over six starts.

Along the way he gained the attention of the Tampa Bay Rays – in particular – and was selected by the Rays in the 19th – round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. Interestingly enough, present Dodger President of Baseball Operations – Andrew Friedman – was the Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager in 2013.

Kimborowicz made his professional debut with the Princeton Rays of the rookie level Appalachian League on June 21, 2013. He gave up one run and two hits over two innings.

Over the next three seasons Kimborowicz pitched well and reached the Advanced-A level in the Florida State League with the Charlotte Stone Crabs in 2015.

With the Stone Crabs that season he pitched entirely in relief posting a 2.01 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 37 appearances and 44.2 innings. He struck out 43 and walked 13.

Kimborowicz no doubt felt he had pitched well enough in 2015 to earn a promotion to the AA level Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League. That was not to be and on October 28, 2015 he was released by the Rays.

With no intention of giving up his passion for baseball, he signed on with the Southern Illinois Miners for the 2016 season. The Miners play in the Western Division of the independent Frontier League.

The move turned out to be a good one for the 6’3” / 215-pound Kimborowicz. At the time of his signing by the Dodgers, he led the Frontier League with a perfect 8-0 record and had posted a 2.33 ERA in 10 starts. The division leading Miners won every game that he had started during the current season. He allowed 51 hits in 61 2/3 innings while walking 29 batters and striking out 45. His play won him a spot on the West Division all-star roster.

Kimborowicz will miss his association with his most recent baseball family and he will – in turn – be missed by the fans and his teammates, as well as by Miner’s management in Marion.

“Our whole staff is incredibly happy for Josh,” Miners manager Mike Pinto said. “This is a great opportunity for him with the Dodgers organization, who really wanted him. His great, fun approach to the game and the hard worker he was will be missed here, but he will always be part of the Miners Family.”

Kimborowicz made his debut with the Ogden Raptors on Friday, July 15 and it was a successful debut. He picked up the 5-2 victory as the Raptors completed a three-game sweep of the Missoula Osprey. Over six strong innings he recorded eight strikeouts while giving up only two runs on seven hits.

At 24 years of age, Kimborowicz is not age-appropriate for the rookie level Raptors. However, since he has previously pitched well at the Advanced-A level and the Frontier League, his time in Ogden may be quite short. There may also be roster issues to be sorted out at the various levels within the Dodgers minor league system. Expect him to have a short turnaround in the rookie league and also expect to see him in a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes uniform or even in a Tulsa Drillers uniform before he makes his third start in the Dodgers minor league system.

Welcome aboard JK.