As a sophomore, he appeared in 21 games as a pitcher, had a 3-4, 3.09 ERA record with 71 K in 46+2⁄3 IP and led the nation in strikeouts per inning.
In 2012 Tols transferred to continue his college career at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 2015 Tols signed with the Kansas City T-Bones in the American Association where he went 2-0 with a 4.55 ERA with 49 strike outs over 55.1 innings pitched.
Coming on exclusively in relief, he retired 39 batters on strikes and had a 1–1 record with a 3.84 ERA in 792⁄3 innings pitched.
[8] Tols did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He pitched 2+1⁄3 shutout innings for his hometown Adelaide Bite in the 2010-2011 Australian Baseball League (3 H, 1 BB, 1 K).
He led the league in wins (two over Scott Mitchinson and Morgan Coombs) and tied for third with 22 games pitched.
Josh was signed to play for the Melbourne Aces in 2016 where he posted a 3-2 (win-loss), 2 save, 0.92 ERA season with 42 strike outs over 29.2 innings pitched.
[15] Returning to the Aces Josh increased his workload with 5-3, 1 save, 4.78 ERA season with 75 strike outs over 52.2 innings pitched.
Following his signing by the Phillies Josh was restricted to a light workload in the 2017/18 ABL season pitching only 8 innings over 4 games with the Aces.
Tols retired after the 2022–23 Australian Baseball League season in which he pitched for the Claxton Shield-winning Adelaide Giants.