FL River City Rascals

Former Rascal Thatcher latching on with Brewers

Published on March 28, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O' Fallon, MO- Another Rascal is roaring his way into the Major Leagues. Former Rascal pitcher Joe Thatcher, 25, is attempting to ride the strength of his left arm onto the roster of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Invited to Brewers minor league spring training camp, Thatcher was approached by a team official on March 15th and asked to move to the major league camp. After that day, Thatcher has seized the opportunity to show his worth to the Milwaukee organization. Since his call up, Thatcher has not allowed a run in three appearances while recording four strikeouts.

"He's shown that it looks to us like he's going to have a future as a left-handed reliever at the major-league level," Brewers manager Ned Yost said.

Since the Brewers purchased Thatcher's contract July 20th 2005, he has succeeded at every level of the Brewers organization. Thatcher succeeded in his first year with the Brewers, pitching for three different Brewer's minor league teams. On those teams Thatcher compiled a 1.37 ERA while allowing only 42 hits in 69.2 Innings Pitched. While excited about the spring call up, Thatcher knows he has a long way to go before making the opening day roster.

"I'm just trying to make it tough for them to make a decision. I'm doing anything I can to make this team," Thatcher said.

Since leaving the Rascals in 2005, Thatcher has been constantly moving from one Minor League team to another. Since the Brewers signed him, Thatcher has played on teams in Montana, Florida, West Virginia and Alabama, before landing in Hawaii for the newly formed "Hawaii Winter Baseball League" this winter.

"It's an opportunity for me to get some more innings and work on things I need to work on. At the same time it's going to be something that's rewarding for players who had good years, to go out there and enjoy that kind of atmosphere," Thatcher said about his time in Hawaii.

Thatcher helped lead the North Shore Honu to a Western Division title, allowing only two earned runs in 24.2 innings pitched. Thatcher was rewarded for his strong season by being one of eight pitchers chosen for the Hawaii League All-Star Team. It was that type of performance that got him on the Brewers radar.

"He's a young guy. He's not young in terms of age but in terms of experience. We'd never seen him before but heard a lot of good things about him," Yost said.

Following ex-Rascal Josh Kinney's late season heroics with the St. Louis Cardinal's last year, the organization is ecstatic about an additional former player getting the chance to live their dream as a Major League baseball player.

"The River City Rascals organization is proud to have another player make it to the pinnacle of professional baseball. We wish Joe the best and are excited for him to have the opportunity to show the fans of Milwaukee what he can do," Rascals assistant General Manager Kari Rumfield said.

With final cuts looming, River City Rascal fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for this bright, young star.

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Frontier League Stories from March 28, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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