Michael Tonkin
Tonkin with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
New York Mets – No. 59
Pitcher
Born: (1989-11-19) November 19, 1989
Glendale, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: July 11, 2013, for the Minnesota Twins
NPB: April 1, 2018, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record10–6
Earned run average4.37
Strikeouts224
NPB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Win-loss record4-4
Earned run average3.71
Strikeouts33
Teams

Michael Harvey Tonkin (born November 19, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Career

Minnesota Twins

Tonkin attended Palmdale High School in Palmdale, California. The Minnesota Twins selected Tonkin in the 30th round, 906th overall, of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] He made his professional debut with the rookie-level GCL Twins, and recorded a 3.27 ERA in 6 games. He returned to the team the following year, posting a 3-4 record and 3.62 ERA in 11 appearances. In 2010, Tonkin split the year between the rookie-level Elizabethton Twins and the Single-A Beloit Snappers, pitching to a 4-6 record and 3.40 ERA in 23 appearances between the two teams. He returned to Beloit in 2011, and pitched to a 4-3 record and 3.87 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 76.2 innings of work. In 2012, Tonkin split the season between Beloit and the High-A Fort Myers Miracle, logging a cumulative 4-1 record and 2.08 ERA in 44 appearances.[2] On November 20, 2012, the Twins added Tonkin to their 40-man roster.[3] He was assigned to the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats to begin the 2013 season, and received a promotion to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings later in the year.

On July 11, 2013, the Twins promoted Tonkin to the major leagues for the first time, and he made his major league debut that day, pitching an inning and a third of scoreless ball against the Tampa Bay Rays.[1] He finished his rookie season with a 0.79 ERA in 9 appearances with Minnesota. Tonkin was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on March 24, 2014, but recalled by the Twins on March 31 before the Rochester season began. He was optioned back to Rochester on April 3, and recalled on April 12. He was returned to Rochester again on May 9. Tonkin finished the 2014 season with a 4.74 ERA in 24 big league games with the Twins. In 2015 with Minnesota, Tonkin pitched to a 3.47 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 23.1 innings pitched. In 2016, for the Twins, he was 3-2 with a 5.02 ERA in 65 appearances out of the bullpen. On May 6, 2017, Tonkin was designated for assignment.[4] He was outrighted to Rochester on May 13.[5] On September 5, Tonkin was selected back to the 40-man roster. He ended the year having pitched in 16 games for the Twins, posting a 5.14 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 21.0 innings.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

On November 9, 2017, Tonkin's contract was sold to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[6] In 2018, Tonkin pitched in 53 games for the Fighters, recording a 4-4 record and 3.71 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 51.0 innings of work. He became a free agent after the season.

Texas Rangers

On January 8, 2019, Tonkin signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers organization.[7] He was released by Texas on March 21, 2019.

Milwaukee Brewers

On March 22, 2019, Tonkin signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.[8] Tonkin registered a 3-0 record and 4.26 ERA in 14 games with the Triple-A San Antonio Missions before he was released by the team on June 10.

Long Island Ducks

On June 18, 2019, Tonkin signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 21 games with Long Island, Tonkin pitched to a 3-2 record and 0.34 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 26.2 innings pitched.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On August 18, 2019, Tonkin's contract was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and he was assigned to the Triple-A Reno Aces. Tonkin finished the year with Reno, logging a 7.71 ERA in 5 games. Tonkin did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] On May 22, 2020, Tonkin was released by Arizona.[10]

Long Island Ducks (second stint)

On March 31, 2021, Tonkin signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[11] Operating as a closer, Tonkin earned 9 saves and posted a league-leading 0.53 ERA over 17 innings pitched.

Toros de Tijuana

On July 13, 2021, Tonkin's contract was purchased by the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[12]

Atlanta Braves

On January 11, 2022, Tonkin signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[13] On November 10, Tonkin's contract was selected to the 40-man roster.[14]

Pitching in relief of Kyle Wright on April 11, 2023, Tonkin earned his first victory in Major League Baseball since 2016.[15] On June 15, Tonkin threw 3+1⁄3 innings in relief of AJ Smith-Shawver, earning his first career save.[16][17] He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 17.

New York Mets

On December 6, 2023, Tonkin signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the New York Mets.[18]

Personal

Tonkin married Becky Feeney at the end of the 2015 season.[19][20] The couple's first daughter was born in 2019.[21] Tonkin's brother-in-law is Jason Kubel.[22]

References

  1. 1 2 "Twins rookie reliever Michael Tonkin pitching with a purpose". Foxsportsnorth.com. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  2. ↑ "Michael Tonkin Minor, Fall, Japanese, Independent, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History".
  3. ↑ "Twins add Aaron Hicks, 7 others to 40-man roster". 21 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "Twins Designate Michael Tonkin for Assignment".
  5. ↑ "Minor MLB Transactions: 5/13/17".
  6. ↑ "Twins to Sell Michael Tonkin's Contract to Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters".
  7. ↑ "Rangers Sign Michael Tonkin".
  8. ↑ "Brewers have signed RHP Michael Tonkin to a minor league contract". twitter.com. March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  9. ↑ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
  10. ↑ "Edwin Jackson Among D-backs' Released Minor Leaguers".
  11. ↑ "Five-Year MLB Veteran Michael Tonkin Returns to Flock". 31 March 2021.
  12. ↑ "MICHAEL TONKIN'S CONTRACT PURCHASED BY TOROS DE TIJUANA". Long Island Ducks. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  13. ↑ "MLB Transactions: January 2022". MLB.com. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Braves' Michael Tonkin: Joins MLB roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  15. ↑ Bowman, Mark (April 11, 2023). "'He's rewarding us': Tonkin earns 1st W since 2016". MLB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Ozzie Albies, AJ Smith-Shawver lead the Braves to an 8-3 win over the Rockies". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  17. ↑ Bowman, Mark (June 15, 2023). "Smith-Shawver earns his first MLB win ... at age 20". MLB.com. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mets-sign-rhp-michael-tonkin
  19. ↑ Oklobzija, Kevin (July 16, 2015). "Wedding planning behind them, Duffey, Tonkin lead Wings". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ Berardino, Mike (February 23, 2016). "Twins' Michael Tonkin's dog named after six-time all-star". Pioneer-Press. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  21. ↑ O'Brien, David (April 10, 2023). "Michael Tonkin took a circuitous, worldwide journey back to the majors with the Braves". The Athletic. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  22. ↑ Miller, Phil (2010-05-17). "Short hops: Strasburg, Harper, Tonkin, Morneau, etc". Star-Tribune. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
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