Shawn Sonnier

Shawn Matthew Sonnier

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 210 lb.
• School Chipola College, Panola College, Louisiana Tech University
• High School North Vermilion High School

• Born July 5, 1976 in Rayne, LA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Shawn Sonnier pitched in the minor leagues from 1998 to 2006. Though he spent part or all of three seasons at Triple-A, he never ascended to the majors, but did play in Nippon Pro Baseball.

He was drafted twice. Initially, he was taken by the Houston Astros in the 22nd round of the 1995 amateur draft, one pick ahead of infielder Mike Glavine. He was then taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 1996 amateur draft, one pick ahead of pitcher Brian Tallet, but still didn't sign. He finally joined the Kansas City Royals chain as an undrafted free agent.

After posting a 1.35 ERA and 13.5 K/9 IP ratio in 7 appearances for the Spokane Indians his first year, he had 13 saves, 38 games finished and 73 strikeouts over 59 1/3 innings for the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 1999. In 2000, he had 21 saves, 42 games finished, a 2.25 ERA and 90 Ks over 64 innings for the Wichita Wranglers, earning a spot with the Grand Canyon Rafters in the Arizona Fall League (he had a 2.40 mark in 14 games). He also tied Bret Prinz for second in the Texas League in games finished, behind Bert Snow's 53. By 2001, he was in Triple-A, but struggled to a 5-5 record, a 4.82 ERA and a diminished 8.0 K/9 in 47 games for the Omaha Golden Spikes.

On December 19, 2001, he was sent to the Chicago Cubs as the player to be named later in a deal for outfielder Michael Tucker. He didn't play in 2002 and posted a 5.65 ERA in 23 games in 2003. On December 15, he was taken by the Oakland Athletics in the Triple-A round of the 2003 Rule V Draft; he spent a year in the A's system, going 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA in 45 appearances for the Midland RockHounds in 2004. In 2005, he returned to the Royals chain, posting a 3.51 mark in 37 games and, regained his strikeout stroke, as he had 83 Ks in 66 2/3 innings. In 2006 he went to Japan, going 1-0 with a 3.82 ERA and 10.9 K/9 in 27 games for the Yokohama Bay Stars.

At all levels, Sonnier went 16-14 with a 3.52 ERA in 278 games (2 starts). In 411 1/3 innings, he allowed 357 hits and 159 walks (1.254 WHIP), while striking out 457 batters (10.0 K/9).