Matthew Tomshaw - 2014

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Matthew Tomshaw

December 17, 1988 in Kingston, New York, US (Age 25)

Throws: Left

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQF-fWnz_qrB07srTpQs3YVdx6ztYBQ6Wg8rDRBds2rALV-lPiWoIV3RAQc

Drafted: by the Minnesota Twins in the 42nd round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, FL). Was team mates with fellow Twins and Miracle players -Jonathan Murphy and Adam Brett Walker.

High School Career with Quote from Recruiting Coach at Jacksonville University:

As a senior at Kingston High School, Tomshaw was named player of the year and first team all-conference. As a junior Tomshaw after allowed only 21 hits and struck out 71 batters in 47 innings. "Matt is the top left-handed pitcher in the state of New York and has a chance to be a solid draft pick in June," said Montez.

College Head Coach Quote:

“I’m glad that someone will give Matthew an opportunity at the next level,” said JU head coach Terry Alexander. “He may not have the flame throwing arm that all scouts look for but he is a very talented pitcher. Matthew is a true competitor and has proven that he can beat the elite teams in the nation.”

2014 Fort Myer Miracle - Roster Write Up:

One of three players on the roster to hail from Jacksonville University, Tomshaw was honored for his exceptional academic performance. Earning a spot on the Dean's List and as an A-Sun All-Academic Honors recipient, Tomshaw majored in finance. Tomshaw saw most of his 2013 season as a starter with the Miracle. Between Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids, he only pitched eight of 26 games in relief.

 

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=607751

Matt Tomshaw MiLB Career Stats

[lightfoot789]

Matt was assigned to Elizabethton Twins roster to make room for Tyler Jones it appears. Not sure what the expectations are for Tomshaw moving forward. He had one of the better spring trainings for pitchers in the minor leagues this past March. I hope the Twins give him a chance to prove himself further as I believe he has great stuff and can serve as an excellent situational pitcher as a LHP.

 

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[TD=class: currSortDataCell, align: left]04/17/2014[/TD]

[TD=class: dataCell, align: left]Assigned[/TD]

[TD=class: dataCell, align: left]Elizabethton Twins[/TD]

[TD=class: dataCell, align: left]Matt Tomshaw[/TD]

[TD=class: dataCell, align: left]Matt Tomshaw assigned to Elizabethton Twins from Fort Myers Miracle.[/TD]

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[lightfoot789]

Despite only 2 hits by the Miracle - Tomshaw was able to keep the Bradenton bats silent and limited to 1 unearned run. Great outing. That was a much needed win for the Miracle as they ended a 4 game skid. He utilized 4 to 5 different pitches tonight to keep his opponent of balance. His knuckler was said to be the biggest utilized pitch of the night.

 

Miracle Matters

FORT MYERS 3, BRADENTON 2

Box Score

 

Day 2 of Return of the Buxton was identical to Day 1: 0-for-3, two strikeouts. (He did have an outfield assist.)

 

The Miracle pick up the win despite only getting two hits (including a Mike Gonzales double) and a walk on Monday. It helped that that all came in the first inning. They added an insurance run in the third as the result of an error. The Miracle were facing Tyler Glasnow, a top prospect who was throwing 98 mph cheese.

 

Matt Tomshaw is credited with the win. He pitched six innings, gave up six hits, allowed an unearned run and struck out two.

[lightfoot789]

Matt Tomshaw has been the man for the Miracle everytime they fall into a losing streak. He has pitched very well in his last 2 outings and I would expect he will probably be one of the first pitchers to move up (AA) when that time comes (considering his age and performance). Great start last night and huge win in road trip opener. Solid middle reliever as he moves up.

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 5, 2014) - Miracle starter Matt Tomshaw delivered six quality innings and Fort Myers edged the Bradenton Marauders, 3-2, on Monday evening at Hammond Stadium.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140505&content_id=74450346&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t509

[lightfoot789]

Great Article by Seth on Matt Tomshaw today. Must Read:

http://twinsdaily.com/content.php/2973-Unsung-Southpaws

[lightfoot789]

Matt Tomshaw pitched this past Tuesday in Dunedin and gave the Miracle a much needed win after losing a series at home to the Cubs. Tomshaw has been the most clutch and consistent pitcher the Miracle have to date and needs to get that call up to see what he can truly do (AA). He is said to have a great approach in his preparation and understands how to pitch. The Twins owe him (yes owe him) a chance at the next level. If he fails so be it, but Matt Tomshaw deserves a chance to get out of Fort Myers. Here's praying for your chance to see New Britain soon. 91 FB and 4 other pitches to play with. Solid Command.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140520&content_id=76168578&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t509

[lightfoot789]

I have not given Matt Tomshaw his due respect. He should be this months PITCHER of the MONTH in the Twins organization. Despite not being a Top Prospect - I hope he gets his just rewards for an outstanding month. Time for AA promotion.

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140531&content_id=77612272&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_l123&sid=l123

Tomshaw has been nearly untouchable in the month of May. In four starts that month the southpaw is undefeated with a 4-0 record, a 0.67 ERA and a .209 batting average against. Overall Tomshaw is third on the team in ERA (1.88) and has walked only six batters and fanned out 21.

[lightfoot789]

Matt Tomshaw has been the most dominant pitcher for the miracle this year. He does not have the Berrios flare or Meyer stature, but he does have thier ability to pitch. His assortment of pitches and impecable control have led to his 6th victory in a row. He also has a pitch that no one else in the system can throw and that is "The Thing" (Knuckler). That becomes the equivalent to a 95 MPH pitch -especially if it has good movement. Everybody can hit a 95 MPH if its straight at these levels. That pitch alone should move him onto the Prospect radar . I'm looking for a good arguement against my rationale?

 

Tomshaw outdueled an All Star pitcher from Lakeland Tigers last night and again helped the Miracle avoid a 3 game losing streak. Whenever the Miracle lose 2 in a row - Tomshaw has been the one to stop the bleeding. He is a big game pitcher. He is also second in the FSL with a WHIP of 0.99

Tomshaw tames Flying Tigers in 4-3 victory

Walker homers, Tomshaw earns sixth straight win

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140607&content_id=78754746&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t509

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Matt Tonshaw brings first half division championship to MIracle with key save in deciding game. Although I thought Tomshaw should have recieved the ball as the starter in the championship / division clinching game - He did his part in grand fashion. Like always - he got the job done!! Hope he follows Wheeler soon to AA. Disrespected by not getting selected to all star game and now having to make another start at A+?

MIRACLE CLINCH DIVISION

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140618&content_id=80492606&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t509

 

TOMSHAW STATISTICAL HISTORY

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=tomsha000mat

[lightfoot789]

Interesting article about Lefties and the knuckleball. There is also video of Matt Tomshaw and his Knuckleball "Thing" that has emerged as a winning formula for the MIracle. Still waiting for him to make that next step to New Britian:

 

Lefty knuckleballers in the big leagues

By SCOTT BUTHERUS[h=1]The lefties and the knuckleball

Since 1970, only three left-handed pitchers in the Major Leagues have used a knuckleball as a primary pitch — Wilbur Wood, Rich Sauveur and Kirt Ojala.

Wood had the best success, going 164-156 during his 17-year career, spent mainly with the Chicago White Sox. A three-time All-Star, Wood won 20 games or more in four consecutive years, including a league-leading 24 wins in the 1972 and 73 seasons. He finished second in the Cy Young voting in 1972 when he also led the league with 376.2 innings pitched.

Sauveur, who now serves as the pitching coach for the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, appeared in 34 games during a sporadic big league career that spanned 14 years and six different organizations.

Ojala, who pitched for the Florida Marlins from 1997-98, was the last left-handed pitcher to use the knuckleball. During his brief career, Ojala went 3-10 with a 4.71 ERA. He is best known as the pitcher who surrendered Barry Bonds’ 400th career home run.

 

© 2014 Naples Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published

 

 

VIDEO of the "THING" / kNUCKLEBALL and MATT TOMSHAW

http://www.naplesnews.com/videos/detail/matt-tomshaw-and-the-thing/

 

 

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2014/jul/02/minor-league-baseball-unorthodox-pitch-helps/

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• Naples Daily News
  

[lightfoot789]

Despite rough 6th inning - Tomshaw emerges victorious and moves to 7-1. Coach left him in for 1 too many hitters.

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140703&content_id=82974356&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t509

[lightfoot789]

Matt Tomshaw atop the Twins minor league leaderboard with 9 Wins. His knuckleball is worth everyone taking notice of. You may not want to compare it to a 95 MPH fastball, but the results are the same. Bad contact and weak hits most of the time. Tomshaw helps Miracle win 10th game in 11 contest.

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140721&content_id=85646604&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t509

[lightfoot789]

Matt Tomshaw pitched a complete game shut out for his first double digit win total of his minor league career (10).  He is third in the organization in win totals behind only  Berrios and Duffy.  It's a shame that Duffy is in AAA and Berrios in AA yet Tomshaw sits in high A.   Why he never got a chance to move to AA and at least fail is a mystery.  He has definitely earned it.   At least Worley and Henricks had a chance to fail at a higher level.  Let's  see if his Knuckler brings him a similar success story as those two down the line.  A chance to re-prove your worth at a higher level.

 

Great day Tomshaw:  http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140816&content_id=90026178&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=l123