Dale Thayer

Dale Scott Thayer

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.
• School Santa Ana College, Chico State University
• High School Edison High School (Huntington Beach)
• Debut May 22, 2009
• Final Game August 10, 2015
• Born December 17, 1980 in Fountain Valley, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Dale Thayer was first selected in the 47th round of the 1999 amateur draft from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, CA, but did not sign. He instead attended Santa Ana College before transferring to Chico State University. Thayer signed as an undrafted free agent by scout Mal Fichman for the San Diego Padres in September 2002. He made his pro debut the next summer.

In 2003, Thayer was primarily used as a closer for the Class A Fort Wayne Wizards where he racked up 25 saves. In High-A Lake Elsinore Thayer had 23 saves and a 1.63 ERA before being called up to Double A Mobile in August 2004. Thayer would stay in Mobile the entire 2005 season where he had 27 saves and a 2.34 ERA in 56 games. He then spent the majority of 2006 again in Mobile before being called up to Triple A Portland for two appearances in September 2006.

On September 15, 2006 Thayer was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays for Russell Branyan. He started 2007 with the Double A Montgomery Biscuits before being promoted to Triple A Durham. After a successful 2007 season, Thayer spent all of the 2008 season in Durham where he had a 2.77 ERA in 68.1 innings in 52 games. Thayer would start the 2009 campaign in Durham again before being called up to the Rays making his debut May 22, 2009 against the Florida Marlins throwing 3 innings of one run ball and earning the save. Thayer again split time between Durham and Tampa Bay in 2010 before electing free agency at the conclusion of the season.

After signing a minor league deal with the New York Mets in the offseason, Thayer spent most of the 2011 season in Buffalo where he had a 2.66 ERA and 21 saves on the year for the Bisons. He also had a 3.48 ERA in 10 1/3 innings for the Mets on the year before declaring free agency.

Thayer then signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres in December 2011 with an invite to spring training. After posting a 0.00 ERA in 8 1/3 innings in Tucson to start the year, Thayer was called up to replace the injured Huston Street. Thayer would stay with the Padres through the remainder of the 2012 season, posting a 3.43 ERA in 64 games pitched with 7 saves. In 2013, hestayed with the Padres the whole season, with a 3.32 ERA in 65 innings. In 2015, Thayer split time between Triple A El Paso and the Padres before being released August 11, ending the season with a 4.06 ERA in 38 games.

Thater then signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles in February 2016 before opting out of the deal. He then signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in April 2016 throwing in 7 games for Double A Tulsa before being released May 3. On May 30, Thayer signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves being assigned to Triple A Gwinnett before being released less than two weeks later on June 11th.

He is currently a pitching coach (2023) in the Southern California area.

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