Andy Sonnanstine (born March 18, 1983 in Barberton,
Ohio) is a rookie starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay
Rays. He attended Kent State University. He made his
first Major League start against the Toronto Blue
Jays, receiving a no decision. Sonnanstine picked up
his first major league win on June 10, 2007, in a
game against the Florida Marlins. He has also
demonstrated strike out potential in 2007. Through
seven innings of work against the Marlins,
Sonnanstine struck out ten batters, including a
franchise-record seven in a row, while allowing two
runs on seven hits. He also went 2-for-3 as a
batter, scored his first run, and drove in his first
career RBI.
Andy had probably the biggest start of his career on
August 31, 2007 against the New York Yankees at
Yankee Stadium where he pitched 8 innings, 2 hits, 0
er, 1 r, 0 bb, 5k. He picked up the win to improve
his record to 4-9 and his ERA to 5.88. € He is
currently the favorite for the fifth spot in the
Rays 2008 rotation. There is a possibility with his
excellent control and high SO/BB ratio that he may
find a home in the bullpen. In the event that he
ends up setting up for Troy Percival in 2008, the
Rays rotation will include Scott Kazmir, James
Shields, Matt Garza, and two of the following: Jeff
Niemann, Edwin Jackson, Mitch Talbot, Jason Hammel,
J.P. Howell.
