| Tyler Thornburg | |
|---|---|
 Thornburg with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1988-09-29)September 29, 1988 (age 37) Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 19, 2012, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 30, 2022, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 16–10 |
| Earned run average | 3.46 |
| Strikeouts | 287 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Tyler Michael Thornburg (born September 29, 1988) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMilwaukee Brewers,Boston Red Sox,Cincinnati Reds,Atlanta Braves andMinnesota Twins.
At the age of 12, Thornburg played as anoutfielder inlittle league baseball for theSandy Springs All-Stars, who won theGeorgia state championship,[1] and reached the 2001Southeast Regional final of theLittle League World Series.[2]
Thornburg attendedRiverwood High School inSandy Springs, Georgia, where he played for the school's baseball team.[3] He then enrolled inCharleston Southern University, where he playedcollege baseball for theBuccaneers, a member of theBig South Conference withinNCAADivision I. With the Buccaneers, Thornburg played as apitcher andoutfielder.[4] In the summer of 2008, Thornburg playedcollegiate summer baseball for theWinchester Royals of theValley Baseball League inVirginia; he recorded a 1.48 ERA in24+1⁄3 innings pitched, and was named to the league's First Team.[5] He played for theBrewster Whitecaps of theCape Cod Baseball League in the summer of 2009.[6][7] In 2010, Thornburg was twice named the Big South pitcher of the week.[8]
TheMilwaukee Brewers drafted Thornburg in the third round, with the 96th overall selection, of the2010 Major League Baseball Draft.[4]
Thornburg signed with the Brewers and pitched during the 2010 season for theHelena Brewers in theRookie-levelPioneer League. Thornburg began the 2011 season with theWisconsin Timber Rattlers of theClass AMidwest League, then received a promotion to theBrevard County Manatees of theClass A-AdvancedFlorida State League (FSL).[9] Thornburg had a 7–0win–loss record and 1.50earned run average (ERA) with Wisconsin,[10][11] and represented the Timber Rattlers in the Midwest League All-Star Game.[12] He was named FSL pitcher of the week in his first week after the promotion.[13] Thornburg participated in the 2011All-Star Futures Game.[14]
MLB.com ranked Thornburg as the Brewers' fourth best prospect heading into the 2012 season.[15] The Brewers assigned Thornburg to theHuntsville Stars of theClass AASouthern League.[16] He had an 8–1 record with a 3.00 ERA in 13games started, and was named the Brewers' minor league pitcher of the month for May 2012.[17] He was also selected to appear in theSouthern League All-Star Game.[18] However, instead of making an All-Star Game appearance, Thornburg was promoted to the major leagues.
Thornburg made his debut for the Brewers on June 19, 2012, against theToronto Blue Jays.[19] He was called up to make an emergency start, for the injuredShaun Marcum.[18] In his debut, Thorburg allowed back-to-back-to-backhome runs toColby Rasmus,José Bautista, andEdwin Encarnación.[20] He also collected his first major league hit with adouble to left center in his first major leagueat bat.[21] He was assigned to theNashville Sounds of theClass AAAPacific Coast League after the game.[22] He made additional MLB appearances in July, and then late in the season. Overall, with the2012 Brewers, Thornburg appeared in eight games (three starts) without a win or loss, with a 4.50 ERA and 20strikeouts and sevenwalks in 22 innings pitched.
Thornburg appeared in three games with the Brewers duringspring training in 2013, but was cut on March 11 and assigned to Nashville. He was the Sounds'Opening Day starter, pitching five innings and giving up one run, earning ano decision. On June 5, Thornburg was recalled, replacing the injuredMarco Estrada;[23] at the time, Thornburg was 0–7 with a 6.75 ERA in 12 starts with Nashville. Thornburg pitched that day against theOakland Athletics, providing two scoreless innings of relief in the 6–1 loss.[24] He recorded his first win in his next appearance, pitching two scoreless innings against thePhiladelphia Phillies on June 8.[25] After the game, Thornburg was optioned back to Nashville, whenJim Henderson was activated off thedisabled list. Thornburg made three more starts with Nashville before being recalled on June 29, replacingCaleb Gindl. He spent the rest of the season with Milwaukee. Overall, in 18 games (seven starts) with the2013 Brewers, Thornburg went 3–1 with a 2.03 ERA, striking out 48 and walking 26 in66+2⁄3 innings.
In 2014, Thornburg began the season in the Brewers' bullpen before suffering a season-ending elbow injury in June.[26] With the2014 Brewers, Thornburg made 27 appearances, all in relief, compiling a 3–1 record with 4.25 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 21 walks in29+2⁄3 innings pitched.
After starting the 2015 season with Milwaukee, Thornburg spent three months inTriple-A regaining his arm strength, before being recalled at the end of July. With the2015 Brewers, Thornburg made 24 appearances, all in relief, compiling an 0–2 record with 3.67 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and 12 walks in34+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Prior to the 2016 season, the Brewers decided to use Thornburg as a full-time reliever rather than preparing him as a starter during spring training and in Triple-A.[27] Thornburg became the Brewers' setup-man and displayed career-best fastball velocity, reaching as high as 96 mph (154 km/h) with his heater. He set the Brewers franchise record for consecutive innings without allowing a baserunner by a relief pitcher.[28] With the2016 Brewers, Thornburg made a career-high 67 appearances, all in relief, compiling an 8–5 record with 2.15 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and 25 walks in 67 innings pitched.
Overall, in parts of five seasons with Milwaukee, Thornburg appeared in 144 games (ten starts), compiling a 14–9 record with 2.87 ERA; he had 220 strikeouts and 91 walks in219+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On December 6, 2016, the Brewers traded Thornburg to theBoston Red Sox forTravis Shaw,Mauricio Dubon, Josh Pennington and aplayer to be named later.[29] The Red Sox compleited the trade in June 2017, sending Yeison Coca to the Brewers.[30]
Thornburg started the 2017 season on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, and in June was diagnosed withthoracic outlet syndrome, requiring surgery;[31] as a result, he missed the entire season.
In 2018, Thornburg's recovery from surgery resulted in him missing spring training. He joined the Triple-APawtucket Red Sox at the start of May, for a rehabilitation assignment.[32] That assignment was stopped after nine appearances, and Thornburg started a new rehabilitation assignment on June 2,[33] pitching in both Double-A and Triple-A. During his rehabilitation assignments, Thornburg made 18 total appearances (one start), compiling an 0–1 record with 4.96 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and eight walks in16+1⁄3 innings pitched.[34] Thornburg was added to Boston's active roster on July 4,[35] and he made his debut with the Red Sox on July 6, allowing one hit and one run in an inning pitched against theKansas City Royals.[36] Overall with the2018 Red Sox, Thornburg made 25 relief appearances, compiling a 2–0 record and 5.63 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 24 innings. He was not included on Boston's postseason roster.[37]
On November 30, 2018, the Red Sox re-signed Thornburg to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million, plus incentives worth up to $400,000.[38] Thornburg was included on Boston'sOpening Day roster to start the 2019 season.[39] Through May 22, he had 16 appearances, recording 22 strikeouts and 10 walks in18+2⁄3 innings with a 7.71 ERA and no decisions. On May 23, Thornburg was placed on the 10-dayinjured list with a right hip impingement.[40] He was sent on a rehabilitation assignment with Pawtucket on June 9.[41] After being activated from the injured list, Thornburg declined a minor league assignment[42] and was released by the Red Sox on July 10.[43]
On July 30, 2019, Thornburg signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers organization.[44] He was assigned to the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers, with whom he compiled a 6.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched.[45] Thornburg elected free agency following the season on November 4.[46]
On December 31, 2019, Thornburg signed a minor league deal with theCincinnati Reds that included an invitation to Spring Training. On August 14, 2020, the Reds selected Thornburg to the active roster. In mid-September 2020, Thornburg underwentTommy John surgery.[47]
On March 16, 2022, Thornburg signed a one-year, non-guaranteed major-league contract worth $900,000 with theAtlanta Braves.[48] He was placed on the Opening Day roster.[49] The Braves designated Thornburg for assignment on May 23.[50] He was released on May 28.
On June 6, 2022, Thornburg signed a minor league deal with theMinnesota Twins. After he appeared in two games for theSt. Paul Saints, the Twins promoted him to the major leagues on June 12.[51] In 5 games for Minnesota, Thornburg recorded a 2.79 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 9.2 innings of work.[52] On July 1, he was designated for assignment by the Twins following the promotion ofJuan Minaya.[53] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul on July 4.[54] He was released on September 5.
On February 5, 2025, theMilwaukee Brewers hired Thornburg to serve as an associate coach for their Double-A affiliate, theBiloxi Shuckers.[55]
Thornburg has a 91 to 96 mph (146 to 154 km/h)fastball. Due to his velocity, size, over-the-top delivery, and repertoire, he has drawn favorable comparisons toTim Lincecum.[2] He throws two off-speed pitches, including a strong powercurveball in the upper-70s, and a sinkingchange-up in the low-80s.[56]
As a late-inning reliever/closer, Thornburg's fastball is consistently thrown around 94 to 97 mph (151 to 156 km/h). His curveball is his primary off-speed pitch.