Shortly after Ole Miss’ 2024 season ended, junior right-handed pitcher Josh Mallitz announced his departure from the team via social media. Despite not being selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, Mallitz has signed a professional contract with the San Diego Padres, as confirmed by Baseball America’s undrafted free agent signing tracker. He is currently the only Ole Miss player on the list.
Reflecting on his time at Ole Miss, Mallitz wrote, “Seven years ago, when I committed to play baseball and attend school in the small town of Oxford, I had no idea what was in store for me. Now, looking back, I can say it was the best decision I’ve ever made. The memories I’ve created with my teammates and friends will last a lifetime. From winning the first Ole Miss baseball national championship to graduating college and even finding my favorite person, this journey has been incredible. Thank you to everyone who made this four-year ride enjoyable.”
Mallitz, who joined the Rebels in the 2021 season, had an extra year of eligibility after missing the entire 2023 campaign due to a UCL tear. In 2024, he returned to pitch 27.1 innings, allowing 27 hits and 14 runs (13 earned), striking out 30 batters with 20 walks, and posting a 4.28 ERA.
**Ole Miss Career Bio**
**2024 (Junior)**: Made 17 relief appearances… Fourth on the staff with a 4.28 ERA over 27.1 innings of work… Eighth on the team in strikeouts with 30 while holding opponents to a .252 batting average… Did not allow a run through his first four outings of the year, allowing just four hits, striking out 11… Allowed no runs in 1.2 innings, striking out two on 3/16 against South Carolina… Struck out a season-high four batters against High Point (2/24) and Texas A&M (5/11)… Worked a season-high 3.0 innings on 5/11 against Texas A&M, allowing no earned runs… Had four scoreless outings over his last four games against Mississippi State (5/1), Auburn (5/4), Texas A&M (5/11), and LSU (5/17).
**2023 (Junior)**: Did not appear due to injury.
**2022 (Sophomore)**: Made 17 relief appearances… Led Ole Miss in ERA with a 1.45 over 31 innings of work… Struck out 48 batters while holding opponents to a .171 batting average… Did not allow an earned run through his first six outings of the season… Worked 4.2 scoreless innings of relief while striking out a career-high seven batters against Alabama (4/8)… Allowed just one hit over 2.1 scoreless innings against LSU (5/14)… Allowed just two hits over 3.1 scoreless innings against Texas A&M (5/20)… Allowed just one earned run while striking out 18 batters through five postseason outings (10.2 innings) (5/24-6/25).
**2021 (Freshman)**: Made 17 appearances, including six starts… Finished with a 4-1 record and 7.33 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 10 walks… Made collegiate debut in the State Farm College Baseball Showdown vs. Texas, tossing one flawless inning with two strikeouts (2/22)… Made first career start vs. Alcorn State, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings with four hits and one walk allowed, striking out six (3/9)… Tied career-long start at 4.0 innings at Louisiana Tech… Made SEC debut vs. Auburn (3/21)… Threw 3.0 innings with one unearned run allowed on three hits and no walks with three strikeouts in start vs. Central Arkansas (3/23)… Tossed one scoreless inning, striking out two at Florida (4/1)… Allowed two runs, one earned over 3.0 innings in start vs. North Alabama (4/5)… Tied career-high with six strikeouts, allowing one run over 2.0 innings vs. Little Rock (5/12).
**High School**: Three-year letter winner at Tampa Jesuit under head coach Miguel Menendez… No. 84 prospect, No. 22 right-handed pitcher out of Florida… 2019 Perfect Game National Showcase… 2020 Perfect Game All-Florida Region Second Team… Led Tampa Jesuit to the 2019 State Championship and No. 1 national ranking… Went 1-0 with two saves in 11 appearances as a sophomore… Notched a 2-1 record and 4.41 ERA as a junior with 24 strikeouts and seven walks… Went 2-0 with a 0.54 ERA, a .136 opponent batting average, 18 strikeouts, and just one walk in a shortened senior season… Finished high school career with a 3.40 ERA.
