Joe Simokaitis
Encyclopedia
Joe Simokaitis is an American
former professional baseball
shortstop and current student manager with Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball
. After playing with the Cornhuskers, Simokaitis played for four years in the Chicago Cubs
system. He retired in 2010 and returned to Nebraska.
in St. Louis and earned 12 letters (four each in football, basketball and baseball). He did better in his junior year then his senior year as he hit .420 with 7 homers and 43 RBIs. He led the team to a 3rd place finish in the state tournament in his senior season. According to Baseball America
, he was the top high school prospect in the state with a .386 average and 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, and 24 runs. He became an All-South Metro St. Louis and a first-team all-state selection both years. He selected Nebraska over St. Louis, Wichita State, Southwest Missouri State, Florida and Missouri. He also became a two-time all-district selection in football. In his senior year he had 1,200 all-purpose yards on offense and had 56 tackles and 6 interceptions on defense becoming the conference player of the year. He was recruited by Missouri and Illinois.
all 4 years in his college career. In 2002 he was 1 of 2 freshman in the everyday lineup but played at shortstop in only 41 games. He hit a .236 average with 16 RBIs and led the team with 9 sacrifice bunts helping the huskers reach the 2002 College World Series
going 2-5 and 2 runs scored in Omaha. As a sophomore, Joe became the full starter at shortstop. He hit .293 with 39 RBIs, 70 hits, 53 runs and a homer. He led the team again in sac bunts with 16 and second with 9 stolen bases. He broke Nebraska's single season record with 194 assists. Simokaitis started in 56 of the Huskers' 59 games in 2004, hitting .278 with 33 RBIs, 31 runs and a home run. In his senior season Simokaitis hit .310 with 37 RBIs, 53 runs, 86 hits and 3 homers, helping the team to the 2005 College World Series
. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
in the 10th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
.
in the Florida State League
, hitting .259 in 110 games with 83 hits, 32 RBIs and 47 runs. He was promoted to the AA Tennessee Smokies
in the Southern League
for the 2007 season and had a .257 average with 54 hits, 15 RBIs and 3 homers in 76 games. He was promoted to the AAA Cubs where he hit .253 in 19 games. On August 10, 2009 Simokaitis was released by the Chicago Cubs
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
shortstop and current student manager with Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball
Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball
The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team is a member of the Big Ten Conference in the NCAA, and is currently coached by Darin Erstad. The program started in 1889....
. After playing with the Cornhuskers, Simokaitis played for four years in the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
system. He retired in 2010 and returned to Nebraska.
High school
Simokaitis went to St. Mary’s High SchoolSt. Mary's High School (St. Louis, Missouri)
St. Mary’s High School is an all-boys' Catholic high school located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. A part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, St. Mary’s High School serves young men in the Marianist tradition. - History :St...
in St. Louis and earned 12 letters (four each in football, basketball and baseball). He did better in his junior year then his senior year as he hit .420 with 7 homers and 43 RBIs. He led the team to a 3rd place finish in the state tournament in his senior season. According to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, he was the top high school prospect in the state with a .386 average and 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, and 24 runs. He became an All-South Metro St. Louis and a first-team all-state selection both years. He selected Nebraska over St. Louis, Wichita State, Southwest Missouri State, Florida and Missouri. He also became a two-time all-district selection in football. In his senior year he had 1,200 all-purpose yards on offense and had 56 tackles and 6 interceptions on defense becoming the conference player of the year. He was recruited by Missouri and Illinois.
Nebraska
Simokaitis played for NebraskaNebraska Cornhuskers baseball
The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team is a member of the Big Ten Conference in the NCAA, and is currently coached by Darin Erstad. The program started in 1889....
all 4 years in his college career. In 2002 he was 1 of 2 freshman in the everyday lineup but played at shortstop in only 41 games. He hit a .236 average with 16 RBIs and led the team with 9 sacrifice bunts helping the huskers reach the 2002 College World Series
2002 College World Series
The 2002 College World Series was held June 14 through June 22, 2002 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium...
going 2-5 and 2 runs scored in Omaha. As a sophomore, Joe became the full starter at shortstop. He hit .293 with 39 RBIs, 70 hits, 53 runs and a homer. He led the team again in sac bunts with 16 and second with 9 stolen bases. He broke Nebraska's single season record with 194 assists. Simokaitis started in 56 of the Huskers' 59 games in 2004, hitting .278 with 33 RBIs, 31 runs and a home run. In his senior season Simokaitis hit .310 with 37 RBIs, 53 runs, 86 hits and 3 homers, helping the team to the 2005 College World Series
2005 College World Series
The 2005 College World Series was held June 17 through 27, 2005 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. It was won by Texas, which defeated Florida in the championship...
. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 10th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
.
Minor League
In 2006 Simokaitis played for the Class A Advanced Daytona CubsDaytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs are a minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team plays in the Florida State League , and is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs major league club. The Cubs play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans.The...
in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
, hitting .259 in 110 games with 83 hits, 32 RBIs and 47 runs. He was promoted to the AA Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
in the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
for the 2007 season and had a .257 average with 54 hits, 15 RBIs and 3 homers in 76 games. He was promoted to the AAA Cubs where he hit .253 in 19 games. On August 10, 2009 Simokaitis was released by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
Awards
- 2000 First-Team All-State
- 2001 First-Team All-State
- 2003 Dairy Queen Classic All-Tournament Team
- 2003 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12
- 2004 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12
- 2005 Second-Team All-Big 12
Sources
- Simokaitis' leadership has been key to Nebraska's Big 12, NCAA success Lincoln Journal StarLincoln Journal StarThe Lincoln Journal Star is Lincoln, Nebraska's major daily newspaper. Owned by Lee Enterprises, the Journal Star was created by the 1995 merger of Lincoln's morning newspaper and its evening newspaper The Lincoln Journal Star is Lincoln, Nebraska's major daily newspaper. Owned by Lee...
, June 8, 2005 - http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=1878
- http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Joseph%2520Simokaitis&pos=SS&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=489319
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/Joe-Simokaitis.shtml