Joe Thurston
Encyclopedia
Joseph William Thurston (born September 29, 1979 in Fairfield, California
) is an American professional baseball
utility player for the Houston Astros
of Major League Baseball
. He has previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers
, Philadelphia Phillies
, Boston Red Sox
, St. Louis Cardinals
, and Florida Marlins
.
in Vallejo, California
. He was originally selected in by the Boston Red Sox in the 45th round (1,332nd overall) of the Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign with them and instead went to Sacramento City College
, for who he delivered the game winning hit to lead the Panthers to the 1999 state championship. He was drafted again in , this time by the Los Angeles Dodgers
in the 4th round (134th) of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
.
In , Thurston was ranked the 9th-best prospect in the Dodgers' system after posting a .338 OBP in AA Jacksonville, and by few prospects appeared to have a brighter future than the 22-year-old second baseman
. Playing for the Las Vegas 51s
of the AAA Pacific Coast League
, Thurston hit .334 with an .878 OPS
and 22 stolen bases in 2002, earning him the L.A. Dodgers' Minor League Player of the Year Award and Baseball America
s AAA Player of the Year honors. Thurston made his major-league debut on September 2, for the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .462 in 8 games.
But 2002 would ultimately be the peak of Thurston's minor-league career. Returning to AAA in , his OPS fell to .746, and it slipped further (to .721) in . He was again a late-season call-up in and , but he hit just .185 in the two seasons combined. The expectation that he would be a future star had evaporated. On July 29, , the Dodgers shipped Thurston to the New York Yankees
as part of a conditional deal. He played for their Triple-A team, the Columbus Clippers
and was granted free agency
after the season.
He signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
on January 11, . He was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
to begin the season and his contract purchased on August 22, 2006. He would stay with the Phillies for the rest of the season and played in 18 games going 4-18 (.222 batting average
). He was released after the season. On November 6, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals
that included an invitation to spring training
. He did not make the major league club and was released.
He was then once again picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies and was assigned to their Double-A team, the Reading Phillies
. He played four games for the Reading Phillies before earning a callup to Triple-A Ottawa
. He had his contract purchased by the big league club on July 27, , after second baseman Chase Utley
was placed on the disabled list
. He was demoted the next day after the acquisition of Tadahito Iguchi
. Thurston spent the rest of the 2007 season with Ottawa. He became a free agent after the season. On December 13, Thurston signed with the Boston Red Sox to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. On March 19, he was assigned to the minor league camp. On April 16, he was brought up to the Red Sox from Pawtucket
to replace the injured
Alex Cora
.
On April 22, 2008, Thurston was designated for assignment
. Thurston played in the Puerto Rican winter league in 2008 on a team managed by Eduardo Pérez
. Pérez was impressed with Thurston's versatility and thought his style of play would be a good fit with manager Tony LaRussa of the St. Louis Cardinals
. Perez recommended Thurston to LaRussa, and on December 16, 2008 he signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals
. He made his debut with the Cardinals on April 6, as a pinch runner. He also played third base and scored a run
.
Thurston earned his first significant major league playing time as a utility player with the 2009 Cardinals. He frequently played third base before the Cardinals acquired Mark DeRosa
, and also appeared at second base, in left field, and as a pinch hitter. In November 2009 Thurston was granted Free Agency.
On December 18, 2009, Thurston signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves
. He also received an invite to spring training.
Thurston enjoyed a terrific season with Class AAA New Orleans Zephyrs in 2011. He led the team in almost every offensive category at the time of his promotion to the Marlins on August 5. He became a free agent at season's end.
The Houston Astros
signed him to a minor league contract on November 13, 2011. He also received an invitation to spring training.
Fairfield, California
Fairfield is a city located in Solano County in Northern California, USA. It is generally considered the midpoint between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento, approximately from the city center of both cities, approximately from the city center of Oakland, less than from Napa Valley, 18...
) is an American professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
utility player for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He has previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, and Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
Professional career
Thurston graduated from Vallejo high schoolVallejo High School
Vallejo High School is a high school located in Vallejo, California. It is part of the Vallejo City Unified School District. Vallejo High has been in the heart of Vallejo for more than 100 years. It is home to many athletic teams, and home to the Vallejo High School Proud Heritage Marching Band and...
in Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
. He was originally selected in by the Boston Red Sox in the 45th round (1,332nd overall) of the Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign with them and instead went to Sacramento City College
Sacramento City College
Sacramento City College is a two-year community college located in Sacramento, California. SCC is part of the Los Rios Community College District and had an enrollment of 25,307 in 2009. Sacramento City College is officially accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges , offering...
, for who he delivered the game winning hit to lead the Panthers to the 1999 state championship. He was drafted again in , this time by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in the 4th round (134th) of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
.
In , Thurston was ranked the 9th-best prospect in the Dodgers' system after posting a .338 OBP in AA Jacksonville, and by few prospects appeared to have a brighter future than the 22-year-old second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
. Playing for the Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
of the AAA Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, Thurston hit .334 with an .878 OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
and 22 stolen bases in 2002, earning him the L.A. Dodgers' Minor League Player of the Year Award and Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
s AAA Player of the Year honors. Thurston made his major-league debut on September 2, for the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .462 in 8 games.
But 2002 would ultimately be the peak of Thurston's minor-league career. Returning to AAA in , his OPS fell to .746, and it slipped further (to .721) in . He was again a late-season call-up in and , but he hit just .185 in the two seasons combined. The expectation that he would be a future star had evaporated. On July 29, , the Dodgers shipped Thurston to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
as part of a conditional deal. He played for their Triple-A team, the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
and was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the season.
He signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on January 11, . He was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a professional minor league baseball club located based in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. They currently play in the International League's Northern Division and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball club...
to begin the season and his contract purchased on August 22, 2006. He would stay with the Phillies for the rest of the season and played in 18 games going 4-18 (.222 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
). He was released after the season. On November 6, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
that included an invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. He did not make the major league club and was released.
He was then once again picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies and was assigned to their Double-A team, the Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
. He played four games for the Reading Phillies before earning a callup to Triple-A Ottawa
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
. He had his contract purchased by the big league club on July 27, , after second baseman Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. He was demoted the next day after the acquisition of Tadahito Iguchi
Tadahito Iguchi
is a Japanese second baseman currently playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines.-Early life and Japanese career:Iguchi began playing in high school and after graduating in 1993, went to Aoyama Gakuin University where he distinguished himself by hitting the Tohto University Baseball League record of...
. Thurston spent the rest of the 2007 season with Ottawa. He became a free agent after the season. On December 13, Thurston signed with the Boston Red Sox to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. On March 19, he was assigned to the minor league camp. On April 16, he was brought up to the Red Sox from Pawtucket
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
to replace the injured
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
Alex Cora
Alex Cora
José Alexander "Alex" Cora is a Major League Baseball infielder. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.-Early career:...
.
On April 22, 2008, Thurston was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
. Thurston played in the Puerto Rican winter league in 2008 on a team managed by Eduardo Pérez
Eduardo Perez
Eduardo Atanasio Pérez, a Cuban-American is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently the hitting coach of the Miami Marlins. He batted and threw right-handed and joined the league in after playing college baseball under head coach Mike Martin for the...
. Pérez was impressed with Thurston's versatility and thought his style of play would be a good fit with manager Tony LaRussa of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Perez recommended Thurston to LaRussa, and on December 16, 2008 he signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. He made his debut with the Cardinals on April 6, as a pinch runner. He also played third base and scored a run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
.
Thurston earned his first significant major league playing time as a utility player with the 2009 Cardinals. He frequently played third base before the Cardinals acquired Mark DeRosa
Mark DeRosa
Mark Thomas DeRosa is a Major League Baseball player. DeRosa is a utility player who has been primarily a second baseman, but can play other positions, including the outfield; he played six positions for the Chicago Cubs. He bats right-handed.DeRosa was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 7th...
, and also appeared at second base, in left field, and as a pinch hitter. In November 2009 Thurston was granted Free Agency.
On December 18, 2009, Thurston signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He also received an invite to spring training.
Thurston enjoyed a terrific season with Class AAA New Orleans Zephyrs in 2011. He led the team in almost every offensive category at the time of his promotion to the Marlins on August 5. He became a free agent at season's end.
The Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
signed him to a minor league contract on November 13, 2011. He also received an invitation to spring training.
Awards and recognition
- 2000 - Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year, California League All-Star SS
- 2002 - Baseball America 2nd team Minor League All-Star 2B, Triple-A All-Star 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year, Pacific League All-Star 2B, AAA Player of the Year
- 2006 - International League All-Star 2B