*Boof Bonser’ was born on October 14, 1981 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Born John Paul Bonser, he legally changed his name to Boof in 2001.) He is a right-handed pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. High SchoolBoof attended Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. In his four year career there he compiled a record of 24-9 and a 1.99 ERA. He was named the 2000 Pinellas County High School Player of the Year and played in the 2000 Florida State All-Star game.*Minor Leagues’Bonser was selected out of high school by the San Francisco Giants in the first round (21st overall) of the 2000 amateur draft.
In 2000 he began with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. In 2001 he did well for the Hagerstown Suns. (It was after this season that Bonser legally changed his name from John Paul to Boof, a nickname he had had since childhood.)
On November 14, 2003, Bonser was traded to the Minnesota Twins organization along with pitchers Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano for catcher A.J. Pierzynski, and cash.
| Team |
Minnesota Twins
|
| Position | Pitcher |
| Born | 14 Oct 1981 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Team History | |
|
Minnesota Twins
|
2006 - present |
He was assigned to AA New Britain for 2004, and was promoted to AAA Rochester for a spot start at the end of the season. He spsent the entire 2005 season there as well.
After a fast start at the Rochester Red Wings in 2006 in which he posted an ERA of 2.01, Bonser was promoted to the majors.
Major LeaguesOn May 17, 2006, Boof was called up to the Twins to replace struggling starter Kyle Lohse. He was a starting pitcher at this point.
Boof was named the AL Rookie of the Month for September, 2006 for his performances in the final month of the season. This was perhaps his best month in the majors, he has never repeated this feat.
In 2008, Boof was sent to the bullpen, to be replaced by Scott Baker.
After being demoted to the bullpen, Boof pitched his first relief appearance for the Minnesota Twins on June 4, 2008, against the Baltimore Orioles.
Through July 20, 2008, Boof has a 6.42 ERA overall and a 8.27 ERA as a reliever.
