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Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Bonderman
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Jeremy Allen Bonderman (born October 28, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Bonderman played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners from 2003 to 2010 and in 2013.

Key Information

High school

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Bonderman attended Pasco High School in Pasco, Washington.[1][2] In his last year of high school baseball, he went 5–2 and recorded a 3.60 earned run average (ERA). He is the only high school junior ever to be drafted with a first round pick in baseball history.[3] He had passed his GED tests and successfully petitioned Major League Baseball (MLB) to become draft-eligible.[4]

Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues

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The Oakland Athletics selected Bonderman out of high school with the 26th pick in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft, a selection that, according to Michael Lewis's Moneyball, caused Athletics general manager Billy Beane to throw a chair through a wall in fury.[5]

On July 6, 2002, Bonderman was involved in a three-team deal. The Athletics had sent Carlos Peña, a player to be named later (who later became Bonderman), and Franklyn Germán to the Detroit Tigers. The New York Yankees sent Ted Lilly, John-Ford Griffin, and Jason Arnold to the Athletics. The Tigers sent Jeff Weaver to the Yankees and cash to the Athletics.

Detroit Tigers

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Bonderman debuted in the major leagues when he was 20 years old. His major league debut came against the Minnesota Twins, who scored six runs in four innings. In his rookie campaign of 2003, the Tigers finished with the second-worst record in MLB history at 43–119 and came close to being the first team with two pitchers who each lost 20 games in a season since Wilbur Wood and Stan Bahnsen with the 1973 Chicago White Sox.[6][7] With a 6–18 record, he was removed from the starting rotation by manager Alan Trammell on September 3.[8] One night after Mike Maroth lost his 21st of the year,[9] Bonderman was reinstated into the rotation but cemented a 6–19 record as the losing pitcher in his last decision of the season in a 6–2 defeat to the Twins at the Metrodome on September 19.[7] The next season, Bonderman went 11–13 with a 4.89 ERA. In 2005, he had a 14–13 record and a 4.57 ERA. Bonderman was the Tigers Opening Day starter for the 2005 season.

In 2006 Bonderman finished with a 14–8 record, his career best and posted a 4.08 ERA. He started game four of the 2006 American League Division Series against the Yankees. He pitched five perfect innings before giving up a hit. He then pitched 31⁄3 more innings, surrendering only one run. Bonderman was the winning pitcher in the game that gave the Tigers the series. He pitched again in game four of the 2006 American League Championship Series, pitching six innings and giving up three runs. The Tigers would go on to win the game and series for the American League Pennant. In the World Series, he pitched six innings giving up two runs. He left the game with the Tigers in the lead. However, the Tigers would ultimately lose the game, as well as the series the following day.

In 2007, Bonderman had the best start of his career, but after the all-star break he struggled only winning four games, finishing 11–9 with a 5.01 ERA. He finished second in the 2007 All-Star Game Final vote.[10]

Bonderman missed most of the 2008 season because he had procedures done to remove a blood clot in his axillary vein.[11]

On June 13, 2009, five days after his only start of the season, Bonderman was placed on the disabled list indefinitely because of recurring pain in his pitching shoulder.[12]

Bonderman started 29 games for the Tigers in 2010, going 8–10 with a league-worst 5.53 ERA. Following the season, he was granted free agency. Bonderman remained unsigned through the 2011 season.

Seattle Mariners

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On December 21, 2012, Bonderman signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. The deal included an invitation to spring training. He made his first start for the major league club on June 2, and took the loss in a 10–0 win by the Minnesota Twins. On June 7, in his second start, he pitched three-hit ball for six innings to beat the New York Yankees and earn his first win since 2010.[13] He was designated for assignment on July 8, 2013, following consecutive poor starts.[14] He elected free agency on July 11.

Detroit Tigers (second stint)

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On July 14, 2013, Bonderman was signed to a minor league deal bringing him back to Detroit, playing for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.[15] On August 5, Bonderman was recalled from the Mud Hens, to join the Tigers bullpen.[16] In his first appearance back with Detroit, Bonderman pitched three innings of scoreless relief in the Tigers 6–5 victory over the Cleveland Indians, to earn his first career victory in relief. He became a free agent following the season.

Pitching style

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Bonderman threw four pitches, relying primarily on a two-seam fastball at 89–93 mph. His other pitches included a slider at 80–82 mph, a four-seam fastball at 89–92 mph, a changeup at 85–88 mph, and rarely a cutter at 86 mph.[17]

Personal life

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Bonderman resides in Pasco, Washington with his wife Amber and their two children.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jeremy Bonderman

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Jeremy Bonderman (born October 28, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who spent the majority of his (MLB) career with the Tigers from 2003 to 2010 and briefly in 2013, along with a short stint with the Seattle Mariners in 2013. Selected by the in the first round (26th overall) of the 2001 MLB Draft out of Pasco High School in Washington, Bonderman signed with Oakland but was traded to the Tigers on August 22, 2002, as part of a three-team deal that also sent and Franklyn Germán to while sending from to the New York Yankees and from the Yankees to Oakland. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers on April 2, 2003, at age 20 and quickly established himself as a reliable starter in their rotation, compiling a career record of 69–79 with a 4.89 over 225 games (200 starts) and 1,231⅓ innings pitched. Bonderman's most successful season came in , when he went 14–8 with a 4.08 ERA in a league-leading 34 starts, striking out 202 batters over 214 innings and helping the Tigers reach the for the first time since 1984. That performance earned him a four-year, $38 million contract extension with in December , avoiding arbitration and securing his future with the team through 2010. However, his career was derailed by a series of starting in 2008, including that caused a blood clot requiring and sidelining him for most of the year, followed by a that limited him to one start in 2009. He returned for 20 starts in 2010 but underwent Tommy John on his right elbow in April 2012, causing him to miss the entire 2011 and 2012 seasons. Bonderman mounted a comeback in 2013, signing a minor-league deal with the Mariners before being released and rejoining the Tigers in July, where he made 11 relief appearances; he became a after the season and did not play professionally thereafter.

Early life

High school career

Jeremy Bonderman attended Pasco High School in , where he developed as a standout for the school's team. In his final year of high school, Bonderman compiled a 5–2 record with a 3.60 , showcasing his potential as a dominant right-handed starter. His strong performance, including an average of 1.6 strikeouts per inning, drew significant attention from professional scouts. Bonderman's achievements positioned him as one of the top pitching prospects in the nation, qualifying him for early eligibility in the MLB Draft following his junior year—the first such instance for a high school pitcher. Throughout high school, Bonderman faced challenges from dyslexia, which impacted his academic performance and led him to repeat fifth grade earlier in his education; however, the condition did not deter scouts' evaluations of his athletic abilities.

MLB Draft

Bonderman was selected by the with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the , becoming the first high school junior pitcher ever chosen in the first round. His selection was notable as a rare early entry for a prep player, made possible by his possession of a GED and turning 18 years old prior to the draft. Bonderman's impressive high school pitching performances at Pasco High School in Washington had elevated his prospect status, drawing attention from major league scouts. Despite initial resistance from Athletics owner Steve Schott, who expressed concerns over Bonderman's dyslexia impacting his reading and writing abilities—famously stating he did not want to pay $1.5 million to someone who "can't read or write"—the team signed Bonderman to a contract on August 22, 2001, with a $1.35 million . General manager and scouting director advocated for the deal, overcoming Schott's hesitations to secure the young right-hander. This signing marked a significant in Bonderman's potential despite the unconventional circumstances of his draft eligibility. On July 6, 2002, Bonderman was included as a in a three-team trade that sent him from the to the Tigers, along with and Franklyn Germán, in exchange for from the New York Yankees and from Oakland; the deal was completed on August 22, 2002, with additional cash considerations to . This transaction highlighted Bonderman's rising value as a top prospect just a year after his draft, positioning him for further development within the Tigers' organization.

Professional career

Minor leagues

Following his selection in the first round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft by the Oakland Athletics, Bonderman signed a professional contract but did not appear in any games that year due to the late timing of the agreement. He was briefly assigned to the Athletics' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate for instructional purposes, logging limited innings before the season concluded. Bonderman made his professional debut in 2002 with the Modesto A's, Oakland's Class A Advanced affiliate in the , where the 19-year-old right-hander impressed in his first full season. In 25 starts, he recorded a 9–8 win–loss record with a 3.61 , allowing 129 hits while striking out 160 batters over 144⅔ . His performance highlighted his potential as a top prospect, featuring a that reached 95 mph and solid command for his age. On August 22, 2002, Bonderman was traded to the Detroit Tigers to complete a multi-player, three-team deal that also involved and reliever Franklyn Germán from Oakland, with the Tigers acquiring pitcher and sending to the New York Yankees. Assigned to the Tigers' Class A Advanced Lakeland Tigers in the , he made two starts post-trade, going 0–1 with a 6.00 and 10 strikeouts in 12 innings. Across both stops in 2002, Bonderman finished with a 9–9 record and 3.79 in 27 starts, totaling 156⅔ innings and 170 strikeouts, demonstrating the rapid progression expected of a high draft pick. His prospect status accelerated his development, bypassing Double-A and Triple-A entirely ahead of his major league debut the following spring.

Detroit Tigers (2003–2010)

Bonderman made his Major League Baseball debut on April 2, 2003, at the age of 20, starting against the in a game at the Metrodome. His rapid ascent was enabled by a brief stint in the after being traded to the Tigers, where he impressed in and ball, becoming the youngest Tigers starter since 1967. In his rookie season, Bonderman posted a 6–19 win–loss record with a 5.56 ERA over 162 innings in 28 starts, contributing to the Tigers' historically poor 43–119 finish that placed them last in the . Bonderman showed steady improvement in subsequent seasons, anchoring the Tigers' during their resurgence. In , he went 11–13 with a 4.89 in 32 starts. He followed with a 14–13 mark and 4.57 in 2005, earning the start. His breakthrough came in 2006, when he achieved career highs of 14 wins against 8 losses, a 4.08 , and 214 across 34 starts, playing a pivotal role in the Tigers' title, AL pennant, and appearance, where they fell to the Cardinals in five games. In 2007, Bonderman maintained consistency with an 11–9 record and 5.01 in 28 starts. Injuries derailed Bonderman's momentum starting in 2008. He appeared in only 12 games that year, going 3–4 with a 4.29 over 71.1 , before missing the remainder of the season due to a blood clot in the of his pitching arm, which required surgery to address . The following year, 2009, brought further setbacks; after just eight appearances (0–1, 8.71 in 10.1 ), he underwent shoulder surgery for and related issues, limiting him to rehabilitation and outings. Bonderman returned in 2010, making 29 starts with an 8–10 record and 5.53 over 171 , but struggled with command and effectiveness. Over his initial eight seasons with the Tigers from 2003 to 2010, Bonderman compiled a 67–77 record with a in 200 starts (plus appearances), logging while establishing himself as a durable workhorse before injuries curtailed his output. Following the 2010 season, during which the Tigers finished second in the AL Central, Bonderman became a on November 1, 2010, as his contract expired.

Seattle Mariners

After missing the 2011 and 2012 seasons due to Tommy John surgery and subsequent complications, Bonderman signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners on December 21, 2012, receiving an invitation to major league spring training. During spring training, Bonderman made five appearances (three starts), posting a 2-1 record with an 8.80 ERA over 15.1 innings, during which he allowed 24 hits, two home runs, and three walks while striking out seven. On March 27, 2013, the Mariners reassigned him to minor-league camp, and he began the season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, where he made five starts with a 4.52 ERA over 34 innings before his promotion. The Mariners selected Bonderman's contract from Tacoma and recalled him to the major leagues on June 2, 2013, marking his first appearance since 2010. In seven starts with , he compiled a 1–3 record with a 4.93 , surrendering 40 hits and 17 walks against 16 strikeouts in 38 1/3 . Bonderman exhibited ongoing issues with command and reduced following his injuries, as his averaged 90-93 mph—lower than his pre-injury peaks—and he struggled to limit baserunners, posting a 1.49 during the stint. On July 8, 2013, the Mariners designated him for assignment after four consecutive poor outings; he cleared waivers and elected free agency on July 12, 2013.

Detroit Tigers (2013)

After being by the Seattle Mariners on July 8, 2013, following a challenging start to the season, Bonderman elected free agency three days later. On July 14, 2013, he signed a minor league contract with the Tigers, the organization where he had spent the first eight years of his MLB career, expressing excitement about returning to the team. He was assigned to the Triple-A on July 19, where he appeared in 7 relief outings with a 0-0 record and 0.00 ERA over 9.2 . The Tigers purchased Bonderman's contract and promoted him to the major league roster on August 4, 2013, initially to serve as a in the . In his second stint with , he appeared in 11 games, all in relief, compiling a 1-1 record with a 6.35 ERA, 17 strikeouts, and 12 earned runs allowed over 16⅔ . His performance provided depth to the pitching staff during a playoff push, though he struggled in his final outings, including allowing five earned runs in one inning on September 4 against the Boston Red Sox. Bonderman's last major league appearance came on September 21, 2013, against the , where he pitched 1.1 innings and allowed three earned runs. He was outrighted to the minors on September 22 but did not pitch further that season. Declared a on October 31, 2013, Bonderman received no further MLB offers and effectively retired, concluding his 11-year professional career with the organization that had launched it.

On-field performance

Pitching style

Jeremy Bonderman employed a four-pitch centered on a that was delivered at 91–96 mph during his early career, declining to 89–93 mph later in his career, which served as the foundation of his arsenal. His primary was a thrown in the 82–85 mph range, known for its sharp lateral movement and effectiveness against both left- and right-handed batters. Complementing these were a gripped as a circle change at around 85 mph for deception against opposite-handed hitters, and an occasional that added variety but was used sparingly, often in the low 80s with a more vertical break. Bonderman's approach emphasized a fastball-slider combination to generate ground balls, utilizing the natural sink and armside run on his variation to keep the ball low in the zone and induce weak contact. This strategy aligned with his overall style as a ground-ball oriented starter who prioritized and movement over overwhelming , allowing him to maintain effectiveness through when his command was sharp. In terms of , Bonderman featured an over-the-top arm slot that promoted good extension toward the plate, contributing to deceptive release points despite occasional inconsistencies in repeatability. During his peak, he exhibited stronger command across his repertoire, effectively sequencing pitches to exploit hitters' weaknesses. By 2013, however, his had declined to the high 80s to low 90s mph range, reflecting adaptations in his delivery to preserve arm health. As a of his era, Bonderman drew comparisons to contemporaries like for his reliance on a mid-90s early on paired with a plus , emphasizing durability and workload capacity when his mechanics remained consistent.

Career statistics and records

Bonderman's major league career spanned nine seasons from 2003 to 2013, during which he compiled a 69–81 win–loss record with a 4.91 (ERA) and 961 strikeouts over 1,231 . He appeared in 225 games, making 200 starts, and recorded no saves. His single-season highs included 14 wins, achieved in both 2005 and 2006, and 202 strikeouts in 2006. In 2003, as a , Bonderman suffered 19 losses, the most by any rookie that year and a mark that ranked second in the league overall. He made his MLB debut on , 2003, at age 20, becoming the youngest starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers since Bruce Robbins in 1979. In the postseason, Bonderman appeared in three starts during the Tigers' 2006 run to the World Series, posting a 1–0 record with a 3.10 ERA and 11 strikeouts over 20⅓ innings.
CategoryMLB Career Totals
Wins–Losses69–81
ERA4.91
Games Started200
Innings Pitched1,231.0
Strikeouts961
Bonderman's minor league record stood at 15–17 with a 3.86 ERA across various levels from 2001 to 2013, primarily with affiliates of the Oakland Athletics and Detroit Tigers.

Personal life

Family and residence

Jeremy Bonderman was born on October 28, 1982, in . He is married to Amber Bonderman. The couple has two children: daughter Mailee Blaize, born June 2, 2006, and son Tripp Allen, born December 28, 2009. Following his MLB career, Bonderman has been a longtime resident of , where he and his family have maintained a low-profile life focused on personal matters.

Dyslexia

Jeremy Bonderman was diagnosed with in 1995 at the age of 12, a condition that primarily affected his reading and writing abilities during his early years. He struggled academically due to this . The significantly impacted Bonderman's entry into during the 2001 MLB Draft. Selected 26th overall by the as a high school junior, a proposed of $1.5 million was nearly derailed by concerns over his skills; Athletics owner Steve Schott reportedly expressed reluctance, stating he "didn’t want to give $1.5 million to someone who can’t read or write." To become draft-eligible earlier, Bonderman had passed his GED with support from his family and , but the hesitation from team executives, including general manager , prolonged negotiations until scouting director advocated for the signing based on Bonderman's athletic potential. He ultimately signed for a $1.35 million bonus. Despite these challenges, Bonderman overcame the obstacles by focusing on his strengths in athletics, where dyslexia had no apparent effect on his on-field performance as a pitcher. His family provided crucial support in managing the condition through his educational and early career transitions. Bonderman's story, featured by the University of Michigan's Dyslexia Help program, highlights his perseverance, noting how his MLB career—culminating in a World Series appearance with the Detroit Tigers in 2006—nearly did not happen due to the condition but ultimately demonstrated the irrelevance of dyslexia to his professional success. While Bonderman has not taken on formal advocacy roles, his journey serves as an inspirational example for other athletes with dyslexia, illustrating how determination and talent can transcend academic barriers.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/jeremy-bonderman-425827
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bondeje01.shtml
  3. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=bondeje01
  4. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/after-a-year-off-and-plenty-of-work-jeremy-bonderman-gets-another-chance-with-the-mariners/
  5. https://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2008/06/08/Bonderman-season-in-jeopardy-blood-clot-may-lead-to-losing-rib.html
  6. https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/bonderman-struggles-in-first-start-since-2010/
  7. https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-select-rhp-jeremy-bonderman-from-aaa-tacoma/c-49383384
  8. https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/State-stars-Karp-Bonderman-selected-in-first-1056529.php
  9. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/29/sports/a-better-class-of-competition.html
  10. https://97rockonline.com/jeremy-bonderman/
  11. https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/pascos-jeremy-bonderman-deals-with-dyslexia/article_1371d218-bc8d-511a-b380-55e93853ee7f.html
  12. https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/success-story/jeremy-bonderman/
  13. https://www.dailypress.com/2001/06/21/oakland-as-draft-high-school-junior/
  14. https://www.minorleagueball.com/2005/11/7/125417/550
  15. http://www.espn.com/gammons/s/2003/0427/1545513.html
  16. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/11390-jeremy-bonderman/
  17. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bonder001jer
  18. https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-sign-rhp-jeremy-bonderman-to-minor-league-contract/c-40776390
  19. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/spring_stats/2013~26/
  20. https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/transactions/_/name/sea/season/2013
  21. https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2013/6/3/4392450/a-weekend-of-unfortunate-events
  22. https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2013/6/2/4390088/24-33-mariners-walloped-by-twins-10-0
  23. http://www.ussmariner.com/2013/07/08/jeremy-bonderman-and-the-harsh-reality/
  24. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9460478/seattle-mariners-designate-jeremy-bonderman-poor-starts
  25. https://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=425827
  26. https://www.espn.com/mlb/s/2001/0605/1209936.html
  27. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/taking-a-year-off-during-his-prime/
  28. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/the-windup-stating-their-case/amp/
  29. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/5986/prospectus-qa-jeremy-bonderman/
  30. https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player/jeremy-bonderman-7198
  31. https://detroitjockcity.com/2020/03/13/detroit-tigers-vault-jeremy-bonderman/
  32. https://www.mvpmods.com/forums/topic/26098-pitch-descriptions/
  33. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2003-pitching-leaders.shtml
  34. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2003/0402/1533227.html
  35. https://www.scribd.com/document/126846822/2013-SEA-Media-Guide
  36. http://www.browsebiography.com/bio-jeremy_bonderman.html
  37. https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/success-stories/
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