Available 2024: PLAYER/COACH, FORMER MLB Draft Pick CF with Power, NCAA D1 experience, All-Conference Team Captain with 10 Years Coaching Experience
Name: Ryan Thornton
Height: 188cm
Weight: 90kg
DOB: February 12, 1987
Date Available: May 1, 2024
Will Pay FlightBats: R
Throws: R
Positions: Youth Coach, Utl, OF
Positions (alt): Coach, Youth Coach, Utl
College: UNLV
Personal
Ryan is a low risk Power/Speed blend. He will hit Gap to Gap with good HR power. Ryan has two (2) years of D-1 baseball experience and can also mentor younger players on handling on and off the field adversities as well as successes.
Ryan can play anywhere in the field. He has decent jumps and good recovery speed and plus side arm from RF (90mph+). Ryan played UTL/P (upper 80’s) for 3 years in High School. Upon attending Junior College, the coaches told him to pick a position to focus on his draft stock.
Ryan is the high energy positive teammate that gets along with everybody in the dugout. He is always willing to come early and stay late to hit with a teammate in the cage to get extra work in. Ryan is also a natural born leader. He will definitely speak when necessary to help teammates in any circumstance. He will bring on and off the field experience to add to a veteran team culture and desensitize high pressure scenarios.
Career highlights
- Drafted in the 17th-round (499th pick) by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
- UNLV Baseball Program history (NCAA Div-1) – Eight (8) top 10 batting records
- One (1) of eight (8) players in MWC to hit for the cycle in a game
- 2x Mountain West Conference college player of the week (vs Stephen Strasburg)
- 2nd team all conference honorable mention
- California Collegiate League- (MLB Urban Youth Academy Barons) Notable awards: Most power (hitter), Fastest base runner, Closest to the majors
- MWC Academic all conference 2007-2009
Overseas Goals
Ryan would like to extend his baseball career with other opportunities outside of the tunnel of the MLB and contribute his talents to the game. Ryan still loves the game and wants to compete at a high level to ultimately give back to the game that has given him so much in his life on and off the field.
Ryan has been working out at Marucci (local baseball academy) with current and former professionals and with UNLV’s Baseball program with current and former MLB/NCAA D-1 Collegiate players. Ryan also is the hitting coach for his 3 children and would like for them to join an international baseball youth academy to have an international baseball experience and possibly even career!
Articles/Recognitions
Making an Athlete podcast episode: Ryan Thornton – UNLV/Tampa Bay Rays
Playing Experience
Coaching Experience
| YEAR | ROLE | ORGANIZATION | LEAGUE/DIVISION | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-Present | Coach | Local youth baseball | Youth | I coach and manage my 3 sons' youth baseball careers. One is in competitive 10u, the other is in competitive 8u, and my youngest son is in coach pitch (4 years old). My sons are VERY GIFTED baseball players with a natural feel for the game. I have the ability to keep a fun environment, but also simplify high-level concepts. I work with kids primarily on hitting skills. |
Stats
College/Amateur Batting
| Years | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | 41 | 102 | 14 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 25 | 10 | 1 | .284 | .345 | .382 |
| 2009 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | 55 | 226 | 58 | 74 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 42 | 20 | 55 | 13 | 6 | .327 | .399 | .553 |