'Good time to get my foot in the door': Former WooSox slugger Josh Ockimey rejoins organization as scout

WORCESTER — A fan favorite is returning to the Red Sox organization.

Josh Ockimey, a member of the WooSox’ inaugural team in 2021, recently announced his retirement as a player and now will work as an associate scout for the Red Sox.

Ockimey, 27, spent seven seasons in the Red Sox organization. The Red Sox selected the slugging first baseman in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. The 6-foot-1, 231-pounder played 677 games, posted a .237 average, hit 96 home runs and provided 357 RBIs in that span. He spent three seasons at Triple A, including two in Pawtucket and one in Worcester.

He quickly became a fan favorite and was active in the community in Worcester. He signed with his hometown Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2022 season and spent the summer at both Double A and Triple A. Unfortunately, he never achieved his goal of reaching the majors, so after last season, he realized it was time to retire and focus on the next chapter of his career.

“I thought this would be a good time to get my foot in the door,” he said. “I’ve been around the game a long time, so I’ll try to use my experience to help me with this job.”

When Ockimey made his final decision to retire in late November, he reached out to the Red Sox organization about the possibility of rejoining the organization as a coach or scout. At the time, the Red Sox did not have any openings, but told Ockimey they would keep him in mind.

It was not much longer after the initial conversation when the Red Sox offered him a position as an associate scout.

“I loved it so much,” he said of his time with the Red Sox. “I loved everyone in the organization and want to be part of this organization. I was so happy to take it.”

Ockimey explained he’s always approach the game with a scout’s mindset. In fact, it’s how the Red Sox develop their young prospects. Young players are asked to keep journals about their performances in order to study them and their opponents.

“It helps your routine and you’re able to make adjustments,” Ockimey said. “It was mandatory for us to do that, but then when it wasn’t I still did it. I have all my at-bats from last four years, so any extra detail I could write down helped.”

So Ockimey thought it would be a relatively easy transition from a player to a scout. He understands there’s plenty of learning and developing ahead in his new position, but he’s ready for the challenge.

“I’m so excited that I still get to be around this game now that I’m done playing,” he said. “The fact that I’m starting here makes me that much more excited and eager to start.”

The Red Sox hold meetings for their scouting department before and during spring training. Ockimey has already learned so much during the offseason Zoom calls, and now he’s ready for the hands-on approach in Fort Myers.

“They told me it’s going to feel weird being down there on the other side of the fence your first time,” Ockimey said.

Ockimey’s goal as a young boy growing up in Philadelphia was to one day becomes a major league player.

“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, but I think about where I was going into my first year as an 18-year-old right out of high school to where I am now. I can look back and really appreciate so much.”

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Former WooSox slugger Josh Ockimey returns to organization as scout