Trent Thornton

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Trent Thornton

|image = Trent Thornton (cropped).jpg

|caption = Thornton with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020

|team = Seattle Mariners

|number = 46

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|9|30}}

|birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = March 31

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 29, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 14–19

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.41

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 367

|teams =

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2023}}–present)

}}

Trent Edward Thornton (born September 30, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Amateur career

Thornton graduated from Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina{{cite web|url=http://charlottebaseballreport.com/10-charlotte-area-baseball-players-now-in-the-minor-leagues/|title=10 Charlotte Area Baseball Players Now in Minor League Baseball|publisher=Charlotte Baseball Report|accessdate=June 24, 2018}} and enrolled at the University of North Carolina to play college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he had a 12–1 win–loss record and 8 saves with a 1.37 earned run average (ERA) in 29 games, earning freshman All-American honors.{{cite web |last=Price |first=Jimmy |date=December 7, 2016 |title=Astros Future Interview: Trent Thornton |url=http://www.astrosfuture.com/2016/12/astros-future-interview-trent-thornton/ |accessdate=December 14, 2018 |website=Astros Future}}{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton - Baseball |url=https://goheels.com/sports/baseball/roster/trent-thornton/9400 |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=University of North Carolina Athletics |language=en}} As a sophomore in 2014, he went 7–4 with a 2.73 ERA in 16 games, including 14 starts.{{cite web|url=https://keepingitheel.com/2015/02/20/unc-baseball-off-hot-start/|title=UNC Baseball Off To Hot Start|date=February 20, 2015|website=keepingitheel.com|accessdate=December 14, 2018}} He was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team. He then played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League. As a junior in 2015, he went 3–7 with a 5.08 ERA in 28 games, including four starts.{{cite web |last=Koehler |first=Jess |date=August 17, 2015 |title=On different route to pros |url=https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/On-different-route-to-pros-6447944.php |accessdate=June 24, 2018 |website=Times Union |publisher=}}

Professional career

=Houston Astros=

Thorton was selected by the Houston Astros in the fifth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, and he received a $325,000 bonus when he signed.{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/mlb/charlotte-knights/article23698312.html|title=MLB draft selection an emotional moment for Ardrey Kell, UNC pitcher Trent Thornton|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|accessdate=June 24, 2018}}{{Cite web |last= |title=Trent Thornton {{!}} MLB Contracts & Salaries |url=https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/17797/trent-thornton/contract/summary |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Spotrac |language=en}} He made his professional debut that summer with the Low-A Tri-City Valley Cats, going 4–0 with a 3.27 ERA in 12 starts and 3 relief appearances. In 2016, he began the season with the High-A Lancaster JetHawks and was promoted in July to the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks. He compiled a combined 10–5 record with a 3.52 ERA in 24 appearances, 21 of them starts. In 2017, he returned to Corpus Christi for the first three weeks of the season, then moved up to Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. He pitched to a 9–6 record and a 5.21 ERA in 25 games, 23 starts, for the two clubs.{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton College, Amateur, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=thornt000tre |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He spent 2018 with Fresno. He was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for June 11–17 after pitching 7{{frac|2|3}} scoreless innings in which he allowed only one hit, given up with two outs in the eighth inning, and two walks.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/fresno/news/trent-thornton-named-pcl-pitcher-of-the-week/c-281957552|title=Trent Thornton named PCL Pitcher of the Week|publisher=MiLB.com|accessdate=June 24, 2018}} In 24 games (22 starts) for the Grizzlies, Thornton went 9–8 with a 4.42 ERA.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=663423#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL|title=Trent Thornton Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|accessdate=October 21, 2018}} After the 2018 regular season, he pitched for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On November 17, 2018, Houston traded Thornton to the Toronto Blue Jays for utility player Aledmys Díaz.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-acquire-trent-thornton-from-astros/c-300863696|title=Jays swap Diaz to Astros for pitcher|work=MLB.com|date=November 17, 2018|accessdate=November 17, 2018}} The Blue Jays added Theonton to their 40-man roster a few days later to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2018/11/20/blue-jays-exercise-right-to-not-share-arms.html|title=Blue Jays exercise right to not share arms|last=Armstrong|first=Laura|work=thestar.com|date=November 20, 2018|accessdate=March 7, 2019}} After 2019 spring training, the Blue Jays announced that Thornton had made the Opening Day roster on March 26.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/urena-luciano-pannone-make-jays-opening-day-roster-1.1280331|title=Urena, Luciano, Pannone make Jays' Opening Day roster|work=TSN.ca|date=March 26, 2019|accessdate=March 26, 2019}} He made his MLB debut on March 31, starting against the Detroit Tigers. He pitches five shutout innings, and his eight strikeouts established a new franchise record for strikeouts in an MLB debut.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-sets-blue-jays-record-in-debut|title=Thornton's club mark comes in bittersweet loss|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=March 31, 2019|accessdate=March 31, 2019}} Thornton earned his first career win on May 14 on the road against the San Francisco Giants, allowing two runs and striking out seven in 5{{frac|2|3}} innings. He also hit two singles, the only hits of his MLB career and scored two runs in the interleague game, which Toronto won 7–3.{{cite web|url=https://torontosun.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays/blue-jays-phenom-vlad-guerrero-jr-blasts-first-career-home-run|title=Blue Jays phenom Vlad Guerrero Jr. blasts first two home runs|last=Longley|first=Rob|work=torontosun.com|date=May 15, 2019|accessdate=May 24, 2019}} Thornton's rookie season ended with a 6–9 record and 4.84 ERA in 29 starts, the most in his big league career, and 3 bullpen outings. He led the Jays in starts, innings pitched, and strikeouts.{{Cite web |title=2019 Toronto Blue Jays Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2019.shtml |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He lowered his ERA below 5.00 in the final month of the season,{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton 2019 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=thorntr01&t=p&year=2019 |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} crediting his development in part to rotation-mates Clay Buccholz and Clayton Richard.{{Cite web |last=Matheson |first=Keegan |date=September 29, 2019 |title=Thornton finishes season on a high note |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/trent-thornton-settles-down-blue-jays-beat-rays |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

File:Blue Jays Trent Thornton stares down opponent Washington Nationals vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park, July 27, 2020 (50160993918) (cropped).jpg

Thornton started three games for the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, with no decisions, an 11.12 ERA, and six strikeouts in 5{{frac|2|3}} innings. Elbow problems doomed his season, as he started the shortened season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, made one start on July 27, then went back on the shelf for several weeks.{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/trent-thornton-663423 |website=MLB.com}} He returned to the mound on August 20 and made two more starts, not recording an out beyond the first inning in either of them.{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton 2020 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=thorntr01&t=p&year=2020 |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Thornton went back on the 10-day injured list on August 24, moving to the 60-day injured list three days later, due to elbow inflammation caused by bone spurs.{{Cite web |last=Matheson |first=Keegan |date=March 28, 2021 |title=Kirk, Mayza, Thornton, Tellez added to roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/alejandro-kirk-leads-list-of-blue-jays-roster-adds |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=McGrath |first=Kaitlyn |title=After injury-shortened 2020, where does Trent Thornton fit in Blue Jays’ plans? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2401856/2021/02/21/toronto-blue-jays-trent-thornton/ |access-date=October 23, 2024 |work=The Athletic |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Thornton shifted to a relief role in 2021, initially due to injury concerns. He had a 1–3 record and 4.78 ERA with 52 strikeouts over 49 innings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-recall-ryan-borucki-option-trent-thornton-triple-buffalo/|title = Blue Jays recall Ryan Borucki; option Trent Thornton to triple-A Buffalo}} He started the season strong, with a 2.49 ERA at the end of May,{{Cite web |last=Matheson |first=Keegan |date=May 23, 2021 |title=Long relievers providing value for Toronto |url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/joel-payamps-trent-thornton-provide-quiet-value-out-of-pen |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton 2021 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=thorntr01&t=p&year=2021 |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} but spent the second half of the season shuttling between the majors and the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, being optioned to Buffalo six different times from July 7 to September 13.

Thornton had a similar role for Toronto and Buffalo in 2022, making 32 appearances for Toronto, pitching to an 0–2 record and 4.11 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 46 innings. He was optioned to Buffalo four times from May through August, before being recalled on October 5 and recording the final six outs of the Jays regular season finale, a win over the Baltimore Orioles.{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton 2022 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=thorntr01&t=p&year=2022 |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He was left off Toronto's roster for the Wild Card Series loss to the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web |title=Espinal on, injured Gurriel off Blue Jays' WCS roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-2022-al-wild-card-series-roster#:~:text=C:%20Danny%20Jansen,%20Alejandro%20Kirk,%20Gabriel%20Moreno%201B:,Tim%20Mayza,%20Zach%20Pop,%20Trevor%20Richards,%20Yusei%20Kikuchi |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

On January 13, 2023, Thornton signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/2023-mlb-arbitration-tracker.html|title=2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker|access-date=January 13, 2023|website=MLBTradeRumors}} Thornton was optioned to Buffalo to begin the 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-trent-thornton-optioned-to-triple-a-863331/|title=Blue Jays' Trent Thornton: Optioned to Triple-A|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=March 25, 2023 |language=en}} He was recalled to Toronto in June 19, then sent back to Buffalo on July 1. In 4 relief appearances for Toronto, he had a 1.69 ERA with 5 strikeouts in {{fraction|5|1|3}} innings. Thornton was designated for assignment by Toronto on July 21, 2023, following the acquisition of reliever Génesis Cabrera.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-acquire-lhp-genesis-cabrera-from-cardinals/|title=Blue Jays acquire LHP Genesis Cabrera from Cardinals, DFA Trent Thornton|website=sportsnet.ca|date=July 21, 2023|accessdate=July 23, 2023}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On July 26, 2023, the Blue Jays traded Thornton to the Seattle Mariners for infielder Mason McCoy.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/report-blue-jays-trade-reliever-trent-thornton-to-mariners-for-prospect-mason-mccoy/ | title=Blue Jays trade reliever Trent Thornton to Mariners for prospect Mason McCoy }} The Mariners added Thornton to their roster on August 1, and he became a bullpen regular, pitching in 23 of the team's final 56 games. He had a 1–2 record for Seattle in 2023, with a 2.08 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 23 innings. With the Mariners, he began throwing a sweeper as his most common pitch and also threw more sliders.{{Cite web |title=Trent Thornton Stats: Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/trent-thornton-663423?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=baseballsavant.com |language=en-US}}

Thornton and the Mariners agreed to a one-year $1.2 million contract on January 11, 2024. Thornton picked up his first MLB save on June 26, 2024, relieving closer Andrés Muñoz with no outs and the bases loaded, allowing just one inherited runner to score.{{Cite web |title=Seattle Mariners vs Tampa Bay Rays Box Score: June 26, 2024 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA202406260.shtml |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2024 |title=Trent Thornton gets the save |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/trent-thornton-in-play-out-s-to-amed-rosario |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He led Mariners pitchers in 2024 with 71 appearances, going 4–3 with a 3.61 ERA and 77 strikeouts in {{fraction|72|1|3}} innings.{{Cite web |title=2024 Seattle Mariners Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2024.shtml |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Thornton added one mile per hour to his fastball velocity, compared to 2023, and he was in the top 12 percent of pitchers at getting batters to swing at pitches thrown outside the strike zone.

Personal life

Several of Thornton's relatives played college football. His father Jeff played quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers in 1988.{{Cite web |title=Jeff Thornton College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jeff-thornton-1.html |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} His uncle Wes played defense for the Davidson Wildcats in the 1990s.{{Cite web |year=2019 |title=Davidson Football Recordbook |url=https://static.davidsonwildcats.com/custompages/football/Football_Recordbook2018.pdf |website=Davidson Wildcats |page=16}}{{Cite web |title=1998 Football Season Statistics |url=https://davidsonwildcats.com/sports/2007/8/28/FB1998CUMES |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=Davidson College Athletics |language=en}} His late grandfather Jerry played football and baseball for the Kansas Jayhawks in the 1960s.{{Cite web |title=Jerry Thornton Obituary (1943 - 2012) - Legacy Remembers |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/jerry-thornton-obituary?id=30601310 |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=Legacy.com}}