Jonny Venters
Encyclopedia
Jonathan William Venters (born March 20, 1985, in Pikeville, Kentucky
) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Atlanta Braves
.
in the 30th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
.
, allowing one hit and no runs over three innings.
On July 17, 2010, in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers
, Venters was deemed to have intentionally thrown at Brewers first baseman
Prince Fielder
. He was ejected from the game along with Braves manager Bobby Cox
and later suspended 4 games, a decision which Venters later appealed. Venters' suspension was subsequently overturned. He finished the season with a 1.95 ERA, in an NL 6th-best 79 games pitched.
He was named a relief pitcher on Baseball Americas 2010 All-Rookie Team. He tied for 8th in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year, behind Ike Davis
of the New York Mets.
. Along with Kimbrel and Eric O'Flaherty
the three pitchers have become known as O'Ventbrel for their dominance over the last three innings of a ballgame. As on August 21, 2011 the trio had three of the six lowest ERAs in the NL with Venters having a major league leading 1.11 ERA and was third in strike outs with 79.
Pikeville, Kentucky
Pikeville is a city in Pike County, Kentucky. The population was 6,903 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.-History:On March 25, 1822, the county's government officials decided to build a new county seat named Liberty, one and one-half mile below the mouth of the Russell Fork...
) is a 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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for 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....
.
Professional career
Venters was drafted by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta 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....
in the 30th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
.
2010 Season
He was called up to the majors for the first time on April 17, 2010. He made his debut that day against the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, allowing one hit and no runs over three innings.
On July 17, 2010, in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Venters was deemed to have intentionally thrown at Brewers first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
. He was ejected from the game along with Braves manager Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
and later suspended 4 games, a decision which Venters later appealed. Venters' suspension was subsequently overturned. He finished the season with a 1.95 ERA, in an NL 6th-best 79 games pitched.
He was named a relief pitcher on Baseball Americas 2010 All-Rookie Team. He tied for 8th in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year, behind Ike Davis
Ike Davis
Isaac Benjamin "Ike" Davis is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the New York Mets. He and his father Ron Davis, who pitched in the majors for 11 years, are the 197th father-son combination to have both played in the major leagues.He led his high school team to three straight Arizona state...
of the New York Mets.
2011 Season
Venters became a key part of Braves bullpen during the 2011 season serving primarily as the set up man for Craig KimbrelCraig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Breaking the record for saves by a rookie in the 2011 season, Kimbrel was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award for the National League....
. Along with Kimbrel and Eric O'Flaherty
Eric O'Flaherty
Eric George O'Flaherty is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.O'Flaherty is the only pitcher in Seattle Mariners franchise history to begin his Major League career with seven consecutive wins.-Road to the Mariners:O'Flaherty was drafted out of high school by the Seattle...
the three pitchers have become known as O'Ventbrel for their dominance over the last three innings of a ballgame. As on August 21, 2011 the trio had three of the six lowest ERAs in the NL with Venters having a major league leading 1.11 ERA and was third in strike outs with 79.