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Atlanta Braves sign free agent RHP Michael Tonkin

By Matt Melton

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Michael Tonkin #59 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the game on April 23, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Tigers defeated the Twins 13-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Michael Tonkin #59 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the game on April 23, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Tigers defeated the Twins 13-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves have signed yet another veteran pitcher to a minor league deal.

After signing free agent Jackson Stephens earlier this month, the Atlanta Braves had added yet another free agent arm as the club has signed right-hander Michael Tonkin to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta Braves sign free agent RHP Michael Tonkin

A former 30th round pick by the Minnesota Twins in the 2008 MLB Draft out of Palmdale High School (CA), Tonkin is a name that not too-many Braves fans may be familiar with. That’s likely understandable, as the 32-year-old last pitched on a major league mound back in 2017.

After beginning his career as a starter, Tonkin transitioned to a full-time reliever role back in 2011, and would reach the major leagues with Minnesota in 2013. The right-hander would however bounce back-and-forth between the big leagues and Triple-A with the Twins each season from 2013-17, making a combined 141 appearances (146.1 IP) at the major league level where Tonkin posted a combined 4.43 ERA with a 23.1 K% and a 8.4 BB%.

Released at the conclusion of the 2017 season, Tonkin would spend 2018 in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters before signing a minor league deal with the Rangers in 2019. Released by Texas at the conclusion of spring training, Tonkin would go-on to split the 2019 season in Triple-A in both the Rangers and Brewers organizations (combined 5.73 ERA), and would be Tonkin’s last appearance in a major league organization until now.

Tonkin is currently coming off arguably the best year of his professional career, one in which he appeared with three teams in 2021:

  • Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League) – 17 IP, 0.53 ERA, 5 BB, 21 K
  • Toros de Tijuana (Mexican League) – 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 3 BB, 13 K
  • Aguilas Cibaenas (Dominican Winter League) – 13.1 IP, 0.68 ERA, 3 BB, 16 K

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As mentioned at the start, Tonkin was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett, and is yet another name who could see time in the Atlanta Braves bullpen in 2022.

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