Biography
William Joshua Reddick (born February 19, 1987) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Boston Red Sox selected Reddick in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB draft, and he made his major league debut in 2009. He previously played for the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Reddick won an American League (AL) Gold Glove Award in 2012.
Amateur career
Reddick played for his school's team in middle school, but was cut from the team twice. He attended South Effingham High School in Guyton, Georgia. Previously a shortstop, Reddick transitioned to the outfield during his junior year of high school. Reddick then attended Middle Georgia College, playing baseball in the NJCAA. As a freshman at Middle Georgia, Reddick hit .461.
Professional career
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox selected Reddick in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB draft.On July 31, 2009, Reddick was called up to the major leagues to replace Adam LaRoche, who had been traded. He made his major league debut that night, pinch-hitting for Rocco Baldelli in the ninth inning and grounding out against Cla Meredith of the Baltimore Orioles in his only at-bat. He recorded his first MLB hit in the next game, a double in the second inning off of David Hernandez. He doubled again later in the game against Chris Ray for his first multi-hit major league game. On August 2, 2009, he hit his first major league home run against Brian Bass. He was the first Red Sox outfielder to hit a home run within his first three games since Billy Conigliaro in 1969.Reddick was optioned back to the Triple A-Pawtucket Red Sox on August 5. The move allowed a depleted Red Sox bullpen to use Billy Traber's services. Reddick was recalled the next day when Rocco Baldelli was placed on the disabled list with a left ankle contusion. Reddick started 2010 in Pawtucket but was recalled in April 2010 after Mike Cameron went on the DL. Reddick again started 2011 in Pawtucket but was recalled on May 26, 2011, after Darnell McDonald was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quad. He was able to stay in the majors after the Red Sox designated Cameron for assignment on June 29, 2011, effectively removing Cameron from the active and 40-man rosters, leaving room for Reddick. On August 7, 2011, he hit his first MLB walk-off hit against the New York Yankees, driving in McDonald in the bottom of the 10th inning.
Oakland Athletics
On December 28, 2011, the Red Sox traded Reddick and minor league players Raúl Alcántara and Miles Head to the Oakland Athletics for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney. Reddick finished 2012 with 32 home runs (HR) and 85 RBIs, both career highs, as he helped lead the A's to the American League Division Series. He was named the American League right field Gold Glove Award winner on October 30, 2012.Reddick began the year as the starting right fielder. On May 7, he was placed on the disabled list with a sprained right wrist, and was activated on May 31. Through most of the 2013 season, Reddick failed to retain the power he had from the previous season. Through August 8, he had hit .203 with only five home runs on the season. But on August 9, 2013, Reddick hit 3 home runs in a single game for the first time in his career in a 14-6 rout against the Toronto Blue Jays. On the next day, he homered twice more against Toronto. The total of five home runs in two games tied the Major League record for most home runs in consecutive games. On August 26 Reddick was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injured right wrist. He returned on September 11. From August 9 to the end of the season, Reddick hit .284/.357/.514 with 7 HR and 19 RBI. In 114 total games, he hit .226/.307/.379 with 12 HR and 56 RBI. After the season, Reddick underwent arthroscopic surgery on his wrist, which caused him to miss 37 games on the disabled list. Reddick arrived at spring training fully healthy in 2014. On February 15, 2014, Reddick and the Athletics agreed upon a one-year $2.7 million deal, avoiding arbitration. Reddick announced that he would wear number 22 for the 2015 season so that Billy Butler could wear number 16. Reddick signed with the Athletics for $4.1 million in 2015, and $6.575 million in 2016, his last year before qualifying for free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On August 1, 2016, the Athletics traded Reddick and Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton, and Frankie Montas. After a slow start with the Dodgers, he wound up hitting .258 in 47 games for them, including two homers.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros signed Reddick to a four-year deal worth $52 million on November 23, 2016. During the 2017 regular season, he appeared in 134 games for Houston, batting .314/.363/.484 with 13 home runs and 82 RBIs. He tied for the major league lead in sacrifice flies (12).In Game 3 of the ALDS against the Red Sox, Reddick accidentally assisted Jackie Bradley Jr. in hitting a 3-run home run as his leaping attempt to catch the ball caused it to pop out of his glove and over the wall for a home run. The Astros ultimately lost the game 10-3. Reddick would redeem himself the next day in Game 4 however, as he hit an RBI single with 2 outs in the top of the 8th inning of a tie game off of Craig Kimbrel and helped the Astros defeat the Red Sox and move on to the ALCS. Reddick would also redeem himself defensively in Game 2 of the ALCS by making a leaping catch to rob Chase Headley of a home run in the third inning against the Yankees. In making the catch, Reddick put his right hand in front of the opening of his glove to make sure the ball didn't slip out again. The Astros would eventually go on to win the 2017 World Series.In April 2018, Reddick became the second Astro in franchise history to hit two grand slams in one calendar month, Jeff Bagwell having been the first to do it (in May 2001). Reddick hit his grand slams on April 3 in a 10-6 win against the Orioles and on April 21 in a 10-1 victory over the White Sox. In 2018 he batted .242/.318/.400. In 2019 he batted .275/.319/.409 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 201 at bats.
Personal life
On January 21, 2019, Reddick married his fiance Georgette Elkins. On April 21, 2019, they announced they were expecting twin boys. On October 2, 2019, they welcomed sons Maverick Joshua and Ryder Blaze.