Matt Thornton

From BR Bullpen

Matthew J. Thornton

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 6' 6", Weight 220 lb.
School Grand Valley State University
Debut June 27, 2004
Born September 15, 1976 in Three Rivers, MI USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Pitcher Matt Thornton graduated from Centreville High School in Centreville, Michigan, where he was the area's MVP in basketball for three-straight years. He then attended Grand Valley State University, a Division II school in West Michigan, where he also played basketball.

Thornton was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 1998 amateur draft and made his pro debut that year. He recored his first career save for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers the next season and was named the Mariners' Minor League Pitcher of the Year and California League Pitcher of the Year in 2001 after posting career bests in wins (14), strikeouts (192), and starts (27). However, during his time in the minors, he struggled with elbow injuries, missing most of his first season and later sitting out most of 2002 and part of 2003.

He made his big league debut in 2004 and spent the entire 2005 season as a member of the Mariners bullpen. Prior to the 2006 season, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Joe Borchard. He has been a member of the team's bullpen ever since, working as a LOOGY and set-up man.