Yankees former top draft pick Josh Breaux looks to resurrect career with Phillies

BRIDGEWATER – You’ll have to forgive Josh Breaux for watching his home run a little longer than the others.

After all, it would be hard to process what could have been going through the 26-year-old catcher’s mind, just five days after being released by the Yankees, following his titanic, go-ahead blast at TD Bank Ballpark on Wednesday night for his new team.

Released on June 29 out of Triple-A Scranton, the former Somerset Patriots catcher was quickly signed by the Philadelphia Phillies, who sent the 61st overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft to Double-A Reading.

And where did the Fightin’ Phils so happen to be playing after all that unfolded? Somerset, of course, where Breaux, who played in 104 games for the Patriots between 2021-23, was still trying to wrap his head around what the past few days had been like.

“After the release, I was packing my bags, and my agent called me,” Breaux told MyCentralJersey.com

“He asked if I was on the road, and I was like, ‘No, not yet.’ And he said, ‘Good, because you’re going to Reading.’ It was just like that, it happened super quick. I wasn’t hoping for a break at all. The unknown is what gives you the most anxiety, so knowing where I’m going to be and it being close, because my wife is with me, it was a really good feeling. … I’m not looking at the future or anything like that, I’m just happy I have a chance here. I want to perform as well as I can, and be happy with where I’m at right now.”

Breaux had nothing but good things to say about the Yankees, who took him in the draft straight out of high school six years ago, but things ultimately never quite worked out, particularly over the last two seasons, where opportunities were limited due to injuries, inconsistent play at times, and the emergence of other catchers in the system like Agustin Ramirez and Ben Rice.

But this year was particularly difficult, one Breaux described as one of the “most mentally challenging” he’s had. He appeared in just 11 games in Triple-A, and was unable to get in a rhythm due to the inconsistent playing time, hitting just .143 with two homers and five RBI before being placed on the development list on May 25, playing just twice after that prior to his release.

“Starting the year and having a good spring, I thought I was going to play a lot at the very beginning and I didn’t,” he said. “Then I got ‘dev’ listed, and eventually just released. It’s tough. But I’m super excited and ready to start this new chapter. I couldn’t be more excited.”

That was certainly reflected on how enthusiastic he was after that long home run on Wednesday night off former teammate Danny Watson, a prodigious, no-doubt blast indicative of the upside the Yankees had long been hoping to unlock since drafting him.

For now, Breaux is listed on Reading’s roster as an infielder, and is expected to play first base as he continues to learn an entirely new pitching staff on the fly before getting back behind the plate in the near future. He spoke from the visiting dugout in Bridgewater, sitting near his Yankees equipment bag, one last relic from a time he’s appreciative of, but looking to put in the past. Dressed from head to toe in Phillies gear, he said it’s been a surprisingly “easy transformation” to have moved to a new organization for the first time in a career that seems to have plenty of life left in it.

The current scenery certainly didn’t hurt.

“I’m very comfortable in this spot, and I look over and see a bunch of my friends,” Breaux said. “I see them, and I’m getting to know these guys, so it’s been a comfortable transition and has been super nice. I feel like just getting an opportunity (will be good), and a fresh set of eyes is always nice. I’m excited to show what I can do. It goes back to trusting in the process and being where my feet are. If I’m healthy and I’m doing the right things, I feel like I’m a really good player and I’m confident in myself and confident in this new organization that’s given me this opportunity. So, I’m excited. I think I’m going to do really good things.”