The ThunderBolts have announced that the contract of starting pitcher Matt Jernstad has been purchased by the New York Yankees.
Jernstad joined the ThunderBolts from the Joliet Jackhammers late in the 2008 season and has compiled a 12-6 record and 2.23 ERA in just under two seasons with Windy City. Jernstad was a member of the bullpen for the majority of the season, but was moved into the rotation for the last month of the playoff run. In eight starts, he posted a 4-0 record with a 1.45 ERA.
Jernstad was signed over the offseason by the Chicago White Sox, but was released in March and rejoined the ThunderBolts. After a great start to 2010, he will get his second chance in affiliated ball.
“It’s great for him,” ThunderBolts field manager Mike Kashirsky said. “He deserves it. His hard work paid off.”
Jernstad started on opening day this year and threw six one-hit innings. In six starts overall he built up a 4-2 record with a 2.23 ERA and a Frontier League leading 43 strikeouts. His most recent start was on Wednesday night against the Traverse City Beach Bums. He threw seven shutout innings, the second time this year that Jernstad has thrown a seven-inning complete game shutout.
Jernstad is the first ThunderBolt to have been signed by a major league club in 2010 and the first Frontier leaguer to be signed since the start of play this season. The 2009 season saw the most ThunderBolts signed by major league teams when Jernstad was one of ten players to have been signed.
