Michael Tonkin

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

• Position: RP
  
• Throws: R
  
• DOB: 11/19/1989
  
• Acquired: 2008 draft; 30^th round – out of Palmdale HS in Palmdale, CA
  
• Height/Weight: 6’7”, 220 lb.
  
• Brother-in-law: Jason Kubel
  
• Twitter handle: @mtonkin37
  
• Baseball Reference: Michael Tonkin Minor League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com
  
• Baseball America Twins Prospect Ranking: 28 (after 2012 season)
  
• Aaron Gleeman rank: 21 Top 40 Twins Prospects of 2013: 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 » AaronGleeman.com » Aaron Gleeman's Baseball and Minnesota Twins Blog
  

Michael is a right hander that sits in the low-to-mid 90s with a hard slider. He didn’t exactly skyrocket through the system, debuting as an 18 year old in 2008 and still finding himself in Beloit as recently as last summer. However, after a great half season at Beloit in 2012 (Midwest League All Star selection, 22 games, 6 saves, 1.38 ERA, 12.2K/9, and almost 6 K/BB) he got the promotion to Fort Myers where his numbers were again impressive (22 games, 6 saves, 2.97 ERA, 13.1K/9, and 4 K/BB).

 

Tonkin played well in the Arizona Fall League last year before getting roughed up in the Fall League's Rising Stars game: Arizona Fall League: Winners and Losers From the Rising Stars Game « Three Up, Three Down

 

2013 – After a good spring, Michael started the year in new Britain where he is off to a bit of a rough start in 2013 having given up 5 ER in 6.2 IP while striking out 5 and walking 4. Hopefully he adjusts to the new level and keeps progressing through the ranks.

 

Article from when he was optioned down to minor league camp in spring training, including quotes from Gardy: Minnesota Twins: Young pitchers Michael Tonkin, Trevor May sent down - TwinCities.com

 

USC profile from when he was a Trojan commit: USC Signs 10 Players For 2009 Season - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site

[cmathewson]

I love this kid. Our future closer, imho.

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

Michael pitched the 8th inning in two recent Rock Cats losses, 4/19 and 4/21 at Portland.

 

On 4/19, he gave up 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 2 in a blowout loss.

 

On 4/21, he retired the side 1-2-3 (all groundouts) in a 1-run game.

 

After a rough start to the year, he appears to have settled down somewhat, giving up 1 run and 2 hits over his last 4 outings (3 1/3 IP).

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

Tonkin pitched one inning each in 2 games since my last post, 0 R, 1 H, 1BB, 3 K. He came on with 2 guys on and nobody out in the 9th against Richmond. After walking the bases loaded, he retired the next 3 to pick up the save.

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

Michael has been pitching well of late. He has pitched in 6 games since my last post, throwing a total of 6 innings. He hasn't given up any earned runs and has given up 6 hits while striking out 7 and walking 2.

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

Michael has been rolling for the Rock Cats. He has pitched 7.2 innings in 6 games since my last post, picking up a pair of saves and piling up 13 strikeouts while walking only 1 and giving up 0 earned runs.

 

He's lowered his ERA to 2.22 on the year with 30 strikeouts in 24 innings of work.

 

I'm curious to hear what other people's opinions are on Michael's timeline for a promotion to Rochester.

[TRex]

I posed that question to Seth on the ML daily page, and he thought we should put on the brakes a bit... I had forgotten that he started the last year in low-A ball, and only pitched 22 games at high A. So maybe a promotion to AAA after only 22 games at AA is going a little fast.

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

I was out of town when it happened, but Michael was promoted to Rochester last week. As TRex is alluding to, quite the rise since the beginning of last season. But remember, he took a while to climb up to High A, so I'm not too surprised that they are being a little more aggressive with him now.

 

Michael has made 3 appearances for Rochester, giving up no runs while striking out 3 and giving up 3 hits in 2 innings of work. Congrats to Michael.

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated this post...I'll take the blame for the 2 ER Michael gave up on July 2. Other than that small hiccup (first earned runs since April 19 when he was still in New Britain), he has continued to own International League hitters, striking out more than one batter per inning while picking up 5 saves and even getting his first AAA win.

 

While Michael's dominance on the field is certainly noteworthy, his roster picture (see link) is without a doubt the reason that the Red Wings are seeing a record number of co-eds in the stands this year.

Michael Tonkin Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

Looks like Michael is going to get his chance with the big team. According to the Strib's Phil Miller, he will be called up to replace Caleb Thielbar while Thielbar is on bereavement leave for the death of his grandmother. Miller also has a quote from Rob Antony that basically says he has a chance to stick around if he pitches well.

 

Obviously not the reason you want a callup, but it seems to be deserving and is quite the climb from Low A ball at the beginning of last year.

 

Congrats to Michael! We look forward to seeing the 'stache pitching for the Twins.

[orangevening]

Wow! I know they liked him, but a September call up was what i was expecting

[goulik]

This link on MLB.COM confirms the call up is coming Thursday. Fantasy Baseball News & Player Updates | MLB.com: Fantasy

[WatchThatBaseballSoar]

I guess he's not technically a prospect while he is on the major league roster, but thought I'd report on Michael's first appearance. He pitched 1.1 perfect innings yesterday, highlighted by a strike out of Evan Longoria.

 

I didn't see the game but would be curious to hear what people's thoughts were that saw him pitch. I know the strikeout of Longoria was clocked in the upper 90's. If he's throwing like that, combined with his hard slider, I think Michael might be sticking around for a while.