Donaldson was born in Pensacola, Florida, and enrolled in Pace High School in Pace, Florida for his sophomore year, where he played varsity baseball before his mother, Lisa, sent him to Faith Academy in Mobile, Alabama, to reconnect him with his friend, P. J. Walters.
Donaldson played football, basketball, and baseball at Faith. Donaldson was the Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, batting .515 and leading Faith Academy to a state title.
Donaldson established four Faith Academy single-season baseball records: hits (55), triples (6), doubles (21) and RBIs (21). (54). Donaldson played wide receiver, defensive back, and punter in football, breaking a school record with 11 interceptions as a senior.
Donaldson attended Auburn University and played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers of the Southeastern Conference.
Donaldson started 39 games at third base as a freshman in 2005, hitting .294 with seven home runs and while learning to catch. Donaldson hit .276 and led the team with ten home runs in his sophomore season; he also threw out 15 of 38 base stealers and had seven pickoffs.
Donaldson played for the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Harwich Mariners in the summer of 2006, when he was an All-Star and hit .302. Donaldson was selected as a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American in 2007.
Why is Josh Donaldson Not Playing?
During a May 21 game against the White Sox, Donaldson made an offensive remark to Tim Anderson that resulted in his suspension. Before a decision could be reached, the third baseman had to spend time on both the COVID-19 and standard 10-day disabled lists.