Joseph Richard Bisenius (born September 18, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current area scout for the Minnesota Twins. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals.
College and draft
Bisenius attended Iowa Western Community College and Oklahoma City University. He was drafted by the Phillies in the draft in the 12th round, after not signing with the Expos in .
Professional career
2004–2005
Bisenius began his career as a starter at short-season A-level Batavia, going 0–1 with a 1.43 earned run average (ERA) in 11 starts. The next season at Lakewood, Bisenius was converted to a reliever, posting a 6–4 record in 40 games, striking out 56 batters in innings.
2006–2007
Bisenius earned a promotion to high-A Clearwater for the season, where he pitched his way to a 4–1 record with a 1.93 ERA. He also struck out 62 batters, this time in only half a season before his promotion to AA Reading. He posted a 4–2 record for the new team, pitching innings and striking out 33 batters. In , Bisenius made the Phillies' Opening Day roster, and made his Major League debut in a relief appearance on April 5, 2007. However, he returned to the minors, only to post a 3–4 record, struggling to a 5.48 ERA.
2008
Due to his pitching problems in the previous season, Bisenius started at Reading. After pitching to a 3.62 ERA, though with a losing record, he was promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley. He posted an 0–1 record and an 11.81 ERA in 4 appearances, but was recalled to the majors on July 13, , replacing R. J. Swindle. Bisenius became a roster victim when the Phillies acquired Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics, as he was optioned back to Lehigh Valley without pitching in a game.
2010
On May 7, 2010, he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals, and was assigned to their team in Potomac. Bisenus was called up to the Nationals in September 2010 and pitched five games in relief.
2011
On April 14, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. He split the season between the AA Birmingham Barons and AAA Charlotte Knights.
2012
For the 2012 season, Bisenius signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Triple-A Mexican League.
2013
On June 20, 2013, he signed with the Atlanta Braves. He pitched for Triple A Gwinnett Braves.
2014
In 2014, Bisenius played for the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
2018
Hired by the Minnesota Twins as an area scout.
References
External links
Joe Bisenius at Baseball Almanac
Joe Bisenius at Baseball Gauge
Joe Bisenius at Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Professional Baseball League)