Guide Note:
Boof Bonser is a Major League Baseball player currently pitching for the Minnesota Twins. Was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and attended Gibbs High School, there he was named 2000 Pinellas County High School Player of the Year. He was selected to play in the 2000 Florida State All-Star game.
Drafted right out of high school in the 2000 amateur draft, he was selected by the San Francisco Giants. He was just 18, and in 2001 he legally changed his name from John Paul to Boof, a nickname he has had since childhood. Boof played in the minor leagues and grew mentally and physically for several years before breaking into the majors.He was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with pitchers Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano. His debut to the majors came in may 2006, where he was the starting pitcher for the Twins against the Milwaukee Brewers. By July he wasn't showing much improvement and was sent back to minors. By August he was recalled back after a pitcher suffered injury. He was placed in the starting rotation by manager Ron Gardenhire
Injuries and ineffective pitching by the other Twins pitchers and Bonser's commanding performances earned him the #2 spot in the Twins postseason rotation.
During the 2007 baseball season he was still in the # 2 spot of rotation and went the full season. In the beginning of the 2008, he is expected to be in rotation but stamina and weight gain the Twins have challenged him to lose weight. Eating healthier and exercise he has dropped 20 lbs.
He is the only pitcher who started at least 12 games for the team last season.
His fastballs has a range of 91-94 mph and 78-80 mph curveball which breaks sharply downwards. He has the ability to record strikeouts in critical situations.
Fast Facts:
- Birth Name: John Paul Bonser
- Legally Name Change in 2001: Boof Bonser
- Born: October 14, 1981
- Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Florida
- Win-Loss: 15-20 (through April 8,2008)
- Earned Run Average: 4.75 (through April 8,2008)
- Strikeouts: 228 (through April 8,2008)
