Rising Star: The Journey of Pittsburgh’s Joshua Palacios from NYC to the MLB

Joshua Palacios, the rising star outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has had quite the journey from his roots in Brooklyn to making his mark in the MLB. After being named NYC’s High School Player of the Year in 2013, Palacios turned down a draft offer from the Cincinnati Reds to attend college in Houston. His talent shone through as he was named one of the top Junior College players in the country before being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Palacios made his MLB debut in 2021 and quickly caught the attention of the Washington Nationals, who claimed him off the Blue Jays’ roster. However, it was the Pittsburgh Pirates who saw his potential and selected him in the Rule 5 draft. Palacios made history by hitting a walk-off home run on his birthday, becoming the first Pirate to do so.

In his first season with the Pirates, Palacios showed his power at the plate with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in 91 games. Despite his success, the Pirates decided to start the 2024 season with Palacios in Triple-A Indianapolis.

Off the field, Palacios stays true to his Brooklyn roots with a playlist heavy on hip hop, featuring artists like Fivio Foreign, Sleepy Hallow, Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z. His love for music reflects his passion for the game, and fans can see his dedication both on and off the field. As Palacios continues to make a name for himself in the MLB, his journey from Brooklyn to the big leagues is one to watch.