Minnesota
Twins Rookie Pitcher, Boof Bonser (born John P.
Bonser), was born on October 14, 1981 in St. Petersburg,
Florida. Boof attended Gibbs High School in St.
Petersburg where he was named the 2000 Pinellas
County (FL) High School Player of the Year and
played in the 2000 Florida State All-Star game.Boof
was selected out of high school by the San Francisco
Giants in the first round of the 2000 draft. Boof
made his professional baseball debut at age 18
for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. In 2001 he had
a breakout season for the Hagerstown Suns, leading
the South Atlantic League in wins (16), and finishing
second in the league in strikeouts (178). This
stellar performance earned him the South Atlantic
League Most Valuable Pitcher and Post-Season All-Star
honors. From 2002 to 2003, he progressed through
the Giants' system, reaching the AAA level at
the end of the 2003 season with the Fresno Grizzlies.
On November 14, 2003, Boof was traded to the Minnesota
Twins organization along with pitchers Joe Nathan and
Francisco Liriano for catcher A.J. Pierzynski and cash.
Boof was assigned to AA New Britain for 2004, and was
promoted to AAA Rochester at the end of the season. In
2005, Boof spent the entire season at Rochester where
he led the International League in strikeouts (168) and
tied for first in the league in games started (28). Boof
legally changed his name from John to Boof, a nickname
since childhood, after the 2001 season. He is currently
on the roster of the AAA Rochester Red Wings. Although
he has never played in the major leagues, this could be
his breakout year!
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