Josh Tomlin

Joshua Aubry Tomlin (born October 19, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Cleveland Indians. Tomlin was drafted by the Indians in the 19th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2010. He is known for his low walk rate.

Josh Tomlin
Tomlin with the Cleveland Indians
Atlanta Braves – No. 38
Pitcher
Born: (1984-10-19) October 19, 1984
Tyler, Texas
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 27, 2010, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record109-0
Earned run average1.13
Strikeouts976
Teams

Career

Tomlin was coached by his father until he began playing high school baseball.[1] Tomlin attended Whitehouse High School,[2] Angelina College, and Texas Tech University.[3] He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.[4][5]

Cleveland Indians

Tomlin was drafted again by the Cleveland Indians in the 19th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, and did sign. Since 2006, he has played with various minor league baseball teams including the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, Kinston Indians, Buffalo Bisons, and Columbus Clippers.

At Columbus, Tomlin went 8–4 with a 2.68 ERA in 20 appearances, including 17 starts. He has an overall minor-league record of 51–24 with a 3.20 ERA.

Tomlin was promoted to the Indians to make his major league debut against the New York Yankees on July 27, 2010,[6] where he outpitched the Yankees' CC Sabathia, earning a 4–1 win. In 12 starts for the Indians, Tomlin went 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 73 innings. In 2011, Tomlin pitched most of the season in the Indians rotation, finishing with a record of 12-7 in 26 starts.

On May 7, 2012, Tomlin pitched a no-decision with a career-high eight strikeouts in a win versus the White Sox.[7] The following day Tomlin reported soreness in his wrist and was placed on the 15-day disabled list after undergoing an MRI which revealed inflammation to soft tissue.[8] In July, holding a 5-5 record and 5.45 ERA and recording at least six innings in just 7 of 13 starts (compared to 23 of 26 in all of 2011), Tomlin stated, "Last year, they could count on me to save the bullpen. It's bothered me that I've been like that. It's frustrating."[9] On August 21, 2012, Tomlin underwent Tommy John surgery and was eliminated for the rest of the 2012 season and was expected to miss the entire 2013 season.[10][11] However, he did pitch in one game on September 12, 2013, when he pitched two shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox in a relief appearance.

Tomlin was called up from AAA Columbus on May 5, 2014, and placed on the Cleveland Indians starting rotation, replacing Carlos Carrasco.[12] On June 28, Tomlin pitched a near perfect game against the Seattle Mariners, striking out 11, walking none, and giving up one hit. The only player to reach base was Kyle Seager, getting a lead off single in the fifth. Tomlin went on to get a complete game shutout, leading the Indians to a 5-0 victory.[13][14] He finished the 2014 season appearing in 25 games, 16 of them starts, with a record of 6-9 in 104 innings.

The following season, Tomlin underwent shoulder surgery in April 2015,[15] and started just 10 games for the Indians.

On January 15, 2016, he and the Indians agreed to a one-year deal for the 2016 season worth $2.5 million. Negotiations continued, and 11 days later, another year was added to the contract, for the same $2.5 million base salary. A team option, worth $3 million, was available for the 2018 season.[16] The Indians exercised Tomlin's 2018 option on November 3, 2017.[17] He finished the regular season starting 29 games for the Indians, establishing career highs in every statistical pitching category. He had a very low walk rate, leading the majors with only 1.03 bases on balls per 9 innings pitched.[18] He also started 4 games for the Indians in their postseason route to the World Series, going 2–1 with a 4.58 ERA.

In 2017, he had a record of 10-9 with a 4.98 ERA in 26 starts.

In 2018, Tomlin began the season as the Indians fourth starter, but after struggling through six starts, he was moved to the bullpen.[19] Tomlin finished with a career-worst 6.14 ERA in 32 appearances, 9 starts. He elected free agency on October 29, 2018.

Atlanta Braves

In January 2019, Tomlin trained at Driveline Baseball to improve his pitching delivery.[20][21] On February 7, Tomlin signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that included an invitation to spring training.[22][23] Tomlin signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on March 21,[24] a day after the Brewers released him.[25]

Tomlin served mainly as a multi-inning reliever for the Braves, going 2–1 with a 3.74 ERA over 79.1 innings (51G, 1GS). His 0.79 BB/9 was the lowest in MLB (min. 30 IP). Tomlin pitched in two games in the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals. Tomlin retired 10 of the 12 batters he faced, not allowing a run over ​2 2⁄3 innings. Tomlin signed a minor league deal to return to the organization on February 12, 2020.[26] Tomlin had his contract selected to the 40-man roster on July 18. In 2020, he was 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA, in 39.2 innings that included five starts.[27]

On November 11, 2020, Tomlin and the Braves agreed on a one-year contract worth $1 million that included a team option for the following season.[28][29]

Pitching style

Tomlin throws five pitches. He has a four-seam fastball (87–91 mph), a two-seam fastball (86–90), a cut fastball (83–88), a curveball (74–77), and a changeup (low 80s). The changeup is used against left-handed hitters, and Tomlin uses his curveball often in two-strike counts.[30] Tomlin walks very few hitters, averaging only 1.6 walks per 9 innings through his first 333 innings. He had the lowest walk rate, 1.1 per 9 innings, in the Major Leagues in 2011. Since 2013 through September 8, 2017, Tomlin has the lowest walk rate among all major league pitchers, walking only 1.07 batters per 9 innings.[31]

Personal life

Josh Tomlin's mother Elana owned a barbershop.[32] His father Jerry was a plumber and later worked at power plants.[33][34] Jerry was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation in August 2016.[35][36][37]

Tomlin and his wife Carlie married in January 2014. The couple has two daughters, Mckenzie and Myla.[38]

References
  1. "Jerry Tomlin: 'No way I was going to miss this'". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 29, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  2. Hunt, Stephen (July 26, 2018). "Despite being on disabled list, Whitehouse's Josh Tomlin still contributing for Indians". Tyler Morning Telegraph. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  3. "Five questions with ... Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin". The Plain Dealer. August 7, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  4. "2005 MLB draft selections: Day 1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 7, 2005. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  5. Pluto, Terry (March 26, 2011). "Cleveland Indians' Josh Tomlin: A long shot comes in, Terry Pluto writes". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  6. Josh Tomlin to start Tuesday for Indians vs. Yankees' CC Sabathia The Plain Dealer (Cleveland.com)
  7. Bastian, Jordan (May 8, 2012). "Sipp helps shorted-handed Tribe sweep DH". Indians.com. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  8. "Fantasy Player News & Updates". Indians.com. May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  9. Pluto, Terry (16 July 2012). "Josh Tomlin needs to find 2011 form". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  10. "Cleveland Indians - TeamReport". Chicago Tribune. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  11. "Josh Tomlin to have Tommy John". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 21, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  12. Zuppe, T. J. (May 5, 2014). "Indians Got Their Answer On Carlos Carrasco, Now Turn To Josh Tomlin". CBS Cleveland. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  13. Condotta, Bob (June 29, 2014). "Cleveland's Josh Tomlin tosses one-hitter at Mariners in Indians' 5-0 victory". Seattle Times. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  14. Crabtree, Curtis (June 28, 2014). "Indians' Tomlin 1-hits Mariners in 5-0 victory". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  15. Hoynes, Paul (April 3, 2015). "Cleveland Indians' Josh Tomlin will have shoulder surgery; out three to four months (photos)". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  16. "Josh Tomlin, Indians agree to $5.5 million, 2-year contract". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  17. "Indians exercise 2018 club options on OF Michael Brantley & RHP Josh Tomlin". Indians.com. November 3, 2017.
  18. "Major League Leaderboards » 2016 » Pitchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  19. "Indians' Josh Tomlin: Shifted to bullpen". CBSSports.com.
  20. Laurila, David (February 22, 2019). "Josh Tomlin on What He Learned at Driveline". Fangraphs. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  21. McCalvy, Adam (February 14, 2019). "Tomlin excited to join 'forward-thinking' Crew". MLB.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  22. McCalvy, Adam (February 7, 2019). "Brewers reportedly add Tomlin on Minors deal". MLB.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  23. Rosiak, Todd (February 7, 2019). "Brewers sign right-hander Josh Tomlin to minor-league deal with invitation to spring camp". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  24. Bowman, Mark (March 21, 2019). "Braves add veteran Tomlin to pitching mix". MLB.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  25. "Braves add right-hander Josh Tomlin". Atlanta Journal Constitution. March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  26. Bowman, Mark (February 12, 2020). "Notes: Acuña eyes 50-50; Tomlin re-signs". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  27. "Josh Tomlin Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  28. Kelly, Matt (November 11, 2020). "Tomlin returns to Braves on 1-yr deal". MLB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  29. "Pitcher Josh Tomlin returns to Atlanta Braves on $1M deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  30. "PITCHf/x Player Card: Josh Tomlin". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  31. "Josh Tomlin Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  32. "Josh Tomlin's mom keeps smiling, even when thrown a curveball: Mother's Day 2017". The Plain Dealer. May 12, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  33. Bastian, Jordan (March 7, 2017). "Tomlin's dad continues to be an inspiration". MLB.com. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  34. Castrovince, Anthony (October 21, 2016). "Dad means the World to Indians' Tomlin". MLB.com. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  35. "Indians RHP Josh Tomlin's paralyzed dad Jerry to be at Wrigley Field to see son pitch in World Series". The Republican. October 28, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  36. Kane, Colleen (October 27, 2016). "Josh Tomlin's reunion with father for Game 3 start a 'pretty neat' moment". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  37. Castrovince, Anthony (October 28, 2016). "As Dad cheers, Tribe's Tomlin terrific". MLB.com. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  38. "Proud of East Texas: Josh Tomlin". KLTV. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
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