Boof Bonser is a Major League Baseball player currently pitching for the Minnesota Twins. Bonser was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and attended Gibbs High School where he was named 2000 Pinellas County High School Player of the Year. Bonser was selected to play in the 2000 Florida State All-Star game. Drafted right out of high school in the 2000 amateur draft, Bonser was selected by the San Francisco Giants. He was just 18, and in 2001 he legally changed his name from John Paul to Boof, a nickname he had since childhood. Bonser played in the minor leagues and grew mentally and physically for several years before breaking into the majors. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with pitchers Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano. Bonser's debut to the majors came in May 2006, when he was the starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins against the Milwaukee Brewers. By July, Bonser wasn't showing much improvement and was sent back to the minors. In August, he was recalled back after a pitcher suffered injury. Bonser was placed in the starting rotation by manager Ron Gardenhire. Injuries and ineffective pitching by the other Minnesota Twins pitchers and Bonser's commanding performances earned him the number two spot in the Minnesota Twins postseason rotation. During the 2007 baseball season, Bonser was still in the number two spot of rotation and went the full season. In the beginning of the 2008 season, Bonser was expected to be in rotation, but the chances were slim due to loss of stamina and weight gain. The Minnesota Twins challenged him to lose weight. By eating healthier and exercising, Bonser dropped 20 lbs. Bonser is the only pitcher who started at least 12 games for the Minnesota Twins last season.

Fast Facts:

1. Birth name: John Paul Bonser
2. Legal name (Changed in 2001): Boof Bonser
3. Born: October 14, 1981
4. Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Florida
5. Win-Loss: 15-20 through April 8,2008
6. Earned Run Average: 4.75 through April 8, 2008
7. Strikeouts: 228 through April 8, 2008
8. Bats: Right
9. Throws: Right
10. Major League debut: May 21, 2006

Minor League Teams

1. Salem Keizer Volcanoes out of Oregon
2. Hagerstown Suns out of Maryland for the South Atlantic League
3. Fresno Grizzlies an AAA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants
4. New Britain Rock Cats AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins

Major League Teams

1. Minnesota Twins

Notable Pitches

1. Fastballs speed range of 91-94 mph
2. Curveball with a sharp downward break of 78-80 mph