TRAGEDY STRIKES THE THUNDERBOLTS; GARRETT PEARSON, FORMER PITCHER, DIES IN ACCIDENT

SILVER SPRING, OCTOBER 8—Garrett Pearson, a Thunderbolt pitcher on the 2014 and 2018 teams and a captain in the United States Marine Corps, died last Saturday in what has been called, “an unexpected training accident.”

Pearson was 30 and leaves behind a wife, Autumn, and two young daughters.

On the 2014 team that went 12-25, Pearson appeared in ten games, starting five, finishing four, with an 0-4 record and a 4.26 ERA. In 31.2 innings, he struck out 31 and did not allow a home run. In 2018, he went 0-2 in six games for a team that went 18-22. He finished two games, pitched 11.2 innings, and struck out 23.

At the conclusion of his 2018 season with the Thunderbolts, Pearson appeared in one game for the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League. He went 0-0, pitching just 3.1 innings with a 5.40 ERA.

The Rockville, Maryland, righthander was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 34th round of the 2014 MLB draft from St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. He spent 2015-2018 pitching for Virginia Commonwealth University where he went 0-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 26 games throwing 26.1 innings. He struck out 38 and did not yield a home run.

He was named one of D1Baseball.com's Top 100 Sophomores in 2016.

A GoFundMe has been established for Pearson’s family. Click the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-garrett-pearson-loved-husband-and-father

The Thunderbolts extend our heartfelt condolences to the Pearson family.

UPDATE ON THUNDERBOLTS IN THE PROS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

SILVER SPRING, SEPTEMBER 10—He only got one at bat for the Thunderbolts in 2019 and struck out. Due to injury, his season ended after that game.

But now, former University of Houston and Texas Southern outfielder Johnathon Thomas is lone ex-Thunderbolt pro playing as high as the AAA level, one step below the Majors. Thomas was promoted from AA Harrisburg in the Eastern League to the Rochester Red Wings of the International League on August 6. This marks another step in a steady progression for the outfielder who was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 19th round of the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft.

Thomas’s pro career began with the Nationals Rookie team in the Florida Coast League in 2022. In 2023, he spent a year with the A Fredericksburg Nationals in the Carolina League. Then he went up to High A with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the South Atlantic League. In 2025, he split time with Wilmington and the AA Harrisburg Senators of the Eastern League. He began the 2026 season with Harrisburg before being promoted to Rochester.

Other active Thunderbolts in the Pros:

John Carver, pitcher (2024) John signed with the Houston Astros as an Undrafted Free Agent in July. He was assigned to the Class A Fayetteville Woodpeckers in the Carolina League.

Brendan Collins, pitcher (2019) Brendan signed with the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League after being released in April by the Washington Nationals High A Affiliate Wilmington Blue Rocks in the South Atlantic League.

Nick Dunn, infielder (2015) Nick, a free agent, signed in April to play for the York Revolution of the MLB Partner Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Tanner Jacobson, pitcher (2019) Tanner pitches for the the Long Island Ducks of the Independent Atlantic League.

Amani Jones (2023) Amani plays for the Evansville Otters of the MLB Partner Frontier League.

Lyle Miller-Green (2019, 2022) Lyle signed with the Independent Atlantic League Staten Island Ferry Hawks after 50 games with the Down East Bird Dawgs of the MLB Partner Frontier League.

Jack Natali (2023) Jack was drafted by the Colorado Rockies with the 76th pick in the third round of the 2026 MLB Draft from the University of Cincinnati.

Corey Rosier (2018, 2019) Corey is with the Lancaster Stormers of the Independent Atlantic League after being released by El Aquila de Veracruz in the Southern Division of the Mexican League.

Jeff Sabater (2024) Jeff was signed by the Washington Wild Things of the Independent Frontier League in June. He is currently on Inactive Status.

Former Thunderbolt (2016) and Major Leaguer Matt Mervis has not played baseball since his June release from Algodoneros Union Laguna in the Mexican League.

For further details on all Thunderbolts in the Pros (active and former) go to the About Tab on the top menu and click on Thunderbolts in the Pros.

HEY, INTERNS: IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PREPARING FOR THE 2027 SEASON; APPLY NOW

SILVER SPRING, SEPTEMBER 10—It seems that the application period for interns to apply for media jobs with the Thunderbolts has been moved up—way up.

Our former broadcaster Peter Kelly was just hired by the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League to do play by play. We also received our first applicant for 2027 a few days ago.

So if you are a budding broadcaster or writer and wish to report on the Thunderbolts next year, go to the Media Tab/Interns and read the job descriptions and put in an application.

Good luck! 

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