Five-time Baseball Canada national team member and Atlanta Braves power prospect Scott Thorman (Cambridge, Ont.) became the 21st Canadian to play in the major leagues this season, Sunday, against the Boston Red Sox.
Thorman, who was hitting .324 with 15 homeruns and 44 RBI in 66 games with the Triple-A Richmond Braves, made his major league debut in left field for Atlanta – only the 10th start at that position this season for the projected first baseman.
“You never know how you are going to feel when you find out,” said Thorman. “I was very relaxed and excited. It feels like the right thing.”
What made things even more special for Thorman, was making his first big-league start on Father’s day and dedicating the game to his father, the man who introduced him to baseball and who passed away when Thorman was only 12 years old.
“It’s the best father’s day I could give my family,” said Thorman.
Thorman has been a key player in Baseball Canada’s national team programs since 2000 when he played for Canada’s National Junior Team. He has also represented Canada at the 2001 World Cup of Baseball, the 2003 America’s Olympic Qualifier, the 2005 CONCEBE Baseball Regional Olympic Qualifier and the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
The 6’3”, 235-pound Thorman, who was selected by the Braves 30th overall in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball entry draft, was also this year’s Baseball Canada Jimmy Rattlesnake Award recipient in recognition of his outstanding contributions and leadership on Canada’s national senior team.
Thorman went 0-for-4 with one strikeout in his debut as the Braves lost 10-7 to the Red Sox.
