Bob Jones pitcher quickly moving up the ranks among the elite players in Alabama
MADISON – As the current No. 1 pitcher for the Bob Jones baseball team, Josh Wilhide is quickly moving up the ranks among the elite players in Alabama as he winds through his senior season in search of a possible college athletic scholarship. He will automatically qualify for academic scholarships as he carries a 4.61 grade point average, which is ranked among the top 10-percent of his 2026 class, and has scored a 32 on his ACT. The 6-foot, 215-pound right handed pitcher and outfielder is also the baseball team’s record holder in off-season weightlifting where he earned team record-setting lifts in the squat (550lbs), bench press (325lbs) and total weight (1,160lbs).
“I began lifting weights when my older brother, Jacob, had a set of weights and he encouraged me to begin lifting as it would help me in whatever sport I chose to participate in,” said Wilhide, a multi-sport athlete growing up in six homes by the age of 10 due to his father, Brent, working with the U.S. Army, traveling the country and now retired after 31 years of military service, and who moved his family to Madison in 2018. “My brother was my big motivator in building strength and I’ve even thought of the possibility it could be interesting of powerlifting maybe after my baseball is complete.”
Wilhide possesses a slingshot of an arm throwing up to 90 miles per hour at challenging hitters, who are also faced with four additional pitches within his repertoire of pitches hiding behind his glove while on the pitcher’s mound. He offers an off-speed, slider, curve ball and splitter and never hesitates to use all of his tricks to baffle would-be hitters. So far this season for the Patriots, Wilhide is 2-0 with a 1.79 ERA and having an opponent batting average stopped at .096, all often struggling against Wilhide’s oncoming pitches. At the plate, he’s batting .290 with three homers and doubles each and double-figure RBIs.
“Joshua has really stepped up so far this season as one of our best overall players. He has always been a really good pitcher but has now become an offensive threat who is hitting in the middle of the order with 3 home runs in 13 games so far,” said Jared Smith head coach of the Bob Jones baseball program.
At the Alabama PBR Kickoff Classic held in Northport, Wilhide hit a deep centerfield two-run homer in a Bob Jones 14-3 win over Central-Phoenix and was the winning pitcher in a 7-3 win over Thompson where he pitched 4.2 innings, gave up three hits and had three strikeouts on 73 pitches. In the Perfect Game USA Showdown held at the Hoover Met, Wilhide was recognized as Most Valuable Pitcher for his six-inning performance in Bob Jones 12-nothing victory over Westbrook Christian Academy where he pitched six innings, gave up one hit with seven strikeouts on 63 pitches. In the Madison City Classic versus Hazel Green, he was the starting pitcher and pitched five innings and had 10 strikeouts. He also provided a two-run homer at the plate.
All the accolades for Wilhide are a far cry from an incident he suffered as a nine-year old while living in Arizona. The young Wilhide ran through a glass-pane door breaking the entryway and severely cutting his right forearm just missing his artery in an incident attending physicians called a miracle. To the amazement to everyone, he was back playing 13 days after the horrifying injury.
Wilhide underwent vigorous physical therapy for his injury and remains under the care of a physical therapist locally at Austin Physical Therapy under the guidance of Kasi McDermott, a sports and performance expert. Wilhide also missed a good part of his freshman season with an inflamed elbow causing him to not pitch for six weeks.
He plays for the Viper Baseball Academy travel team organization and mirrors his childhood where he was always an All-Star selection and considered one of the better athletes in his neighborhoods. At age 11, Wilhide was named the Most Valuable Player as his team won the Dizzy Dean World Series and was featured on television for his performance.
“My play in high school includes my playing outfield where I feel what separates me from others is my strong arm as I throw quickly and get runners out,” said Wilhide. “I have played first base as well over the last three seasons and I feel comfortable at that position as I have a wide range of being able to stretch out to catch the ball when needed.”
When not on the baseball field, the son of Brent and Susan Wilhide is a different breed than many of his school and teammates as he’s a member of the National Honor Society, English Society and Technical Honor Society, as well as, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He’s also heavily involved with his church as he’s a member of the youth leadership teams and attends numerous events at Crosspointe Church of Madison. His strong faith carries over closer to his baseball team at Bob Jones.
“I lead bible study with the team on a weekly basis,” said Wilhide. “I started that in August and it’s been great as I’m proud to say three of my Bob Jones teammates have accepted Jesus through the bible study program. I’m happy to say my brother encouraged me to get involved. I take my faith and use it as I lead prayer for whomever wants to participate in centerfield prior to the game. Once I’m on the mound to pitch, I also say a prayer. I encouraged others on the team as we’ve grown together.”
Wilhide has experienced volunteering for FCA and is looking at an internship with the Christian organization this summer. Through a school internship program he has worked at CFO Research for 12 weeks using his knowledge and working with an injection molding materials and machine. That educational work was held during the recent fall semester, but now he’s concentrating on baseball and earning a scholarship to a college program.
“I have always dreamed of being a pitcher in the Southeastern Conference as pitching is what I’m passionate about,” said Wilhide. “I’ve had about a dozen schools total check on my progress. I hope to get to the SEC after two years with a JUCO program.”
“I am very surprised that he is still uncommitted at this point. A college is going to get a steal on Joshua,” added Smith on his star player. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the season to see what Joshua can continue to do as a legitimate twoway threat for our team.”
He would like to become an engineer and has plans on studying mechanical engineering. He already uses his knowledge and talents in the world of engineering as for the last two years he made Pickleball paddles out of cardboard, Popsicle sticks and hot glue and included different designs in doing so. “I’ve always been creative with my hands making stuff,” said Wilhide.
The 18-year old is your typical teen carrying the pressures of mixing education, athletics, spiritual faith and love of family. If his physical strength is any indication of what he can carry upon his shoulders, Wilhide will succeed through the trials and tribulations of his youth in record form.
