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BP Annual Player Comments

Year		Comment
2012		Joe Thurston made a cameo for the Marlins in September after yet another productive year at Triple-A, where he owns a career .297/.355/.438 line in nearly 5000 plate appearances since 2002. He should exceed his total of one game played from 2011, though not by much.
2011		Versatility and great makeup keep getting Joey Thurston jobs—at Triple-A.
2010		After seven years at Triple-A with four different organizations, Sloppy Joe finally caught his big break, temporarily winding atop the depth chart at third base and doing what he could with the opportunity—which predictably had the effect of encouraging the Cards to go get a third baseman. It wasn't for his lack of trying to fill the bill. Thurston started just six games after the All-Star break, and, his big breakthrough already over, slipped away to Atlanta on a minor-league deal, and presumably another season back in the bushes.
2007		The former Second Baseman of the Future for the Dodgers rediscovered his bat last year, but didn`t have a prayer of taking the second base job away from Utley. He signed with Washington after the season. Since they`ve dealt Jose Vidro, he`ll find himself in a much more winnable competition against the likes of Felipe Lopez and Bernie Castro. That leaves the important distinction between his winning a job and being good at it, the latter of which is less likely.
2005		Here's what happens when players get pegged as prospects based on high batting averages in offense-crazy ballparks. Thurston was tabbed as a potential star after hitting .334 in Las Vegas in '02. Sent back to Triple-A the next season, his lousy plate discipline caught up with him and his numbers cratered. His upside is utility infielder/pinch-runner, and nothing more.
2004		Thurston's development stalled in 2003, after entering spring training with plenty of buzz. According to the organization, Thurston spent last winter bulking up, hoping to add more power to his game; this resulted in a swing that was off-kilter for most of the season, and thus the disappointment. While that may be true, the fact remains Thurston drew just 56 walks in nearly 1,200 plate appearances in 2002-03. Thurston will likely get a shot to make the club in the spring, but projects as a scrappy backup who doesn't walk and hits for little power. Unfortunately the Dodgers already have a share of those.
2003		The Dodgers love Thurston. Scouts love him, his coaches love him, even the ice-cream vendor slips him a cone from time to time. A .334 average, 64 extra-base hits, and 22 steals in Triple-A before your 23rd birthday tends to foster that kind of adoration. Thurston’s talented enough to fare well in the minors by hacking at the first good pitch he sees. But 25 walks in 631 plate appearances won’t cut it once he leaves generous Cashman Field for stingy Dodger Stadium. Broken record alert: Thurston’s a great example of the Dodgers’ glaring weakness in player development. Rather than working with hitters on waiting for a pitch to drive, they’re taught to be aggressive, to a fault. He’ll get his chance with Grudzielanek now a Cub. Expect a rough ride until he flunks out of the Randall Simon School of Hitting.
2001		Joe Thurston got his break when 1999 #1 pick Jason Repko missed 2000 with an injury. Thurston is a very fast slap hitter, in the right organization for a shortstop of middling ability. Where the organization places Nunez and Thurston will be one of Dodgertown's better storylines this spring.

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