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Atlanta Braves: Why Josh Tomlin; And GM Promises Surprises in Pitching Staff

By Fred Owens

The Atlanta Braves signing of Josh Tomlin isn’t what fans were hoping. GM Alex Anthopoulos hoped to cheer them up by promising pitching surprises when the Braves head north next week. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves signing of Josh Tomlin isn’t what fans were hoping. GM Alex Anthopoulos hoped to cheer them up by promising pitching surprises when the Braves head north next week. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves signing of Josh Tomlin isn’t what fans were hoping. GM Alex Anthopoulos hoped to cheer them up by promising pitching surprises when the Braves head north next week. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves addition of Josh Tomlin on Thursday evoked yawns from a fan base hoping for someone else.

The arrival of Josh Tomlin was the early headline of the day. Later, Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos tried to generate some excitement by telling us something most had already figured out.

Josh Tomlin opted out of his contract Wednesday. Jeff Todd writing for MLBTR opined that Tomlin left because he didn’t wish to pitch in Triple-A.

"“. . .Tomlin evidently did not show enough in camp to force the Brewers’ hand. . .  (he) will surely look around to see if there’s a more attractive opportunity elsewhere . . .”"

According to David O’Brien in the Athletic, Tomlin joined the Braves without a roster guarantee because of all the young guys and felt he could help out. Well, that and he had a chance to make the team and the allure of playing for Atlanta.

The “why Josh Tomlin question” seems to have three answers; he came cheap, he’s a vet, and he rarely walks anyone.

Tomlin’s career BB/9 rate is a misery 1.3,  although 2018 wasn’t that good.

Tomlin threw five innings in a start against the Reds Sox in the 2016 ALDS, allowing two runs on four hits and walking one.

In the ALCS he went 5 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on three hits and walking two

The Cubs weren’t easy for Tomlin. He threw seven innings allowing six runs on eight hits, including a home run, over his two starts.

What the Braves got – Tomlin’s career so far

From 2010 through 2017 Tomlin looked like a typical fifth starter. He:

  • Had five typical fifth starter seasons
  • One bad season due to his UCL being about to explode
  • Missed one season (2013) recovering from TJ surgery
  • One really good one (2015) – 10 starts, 65 2/3 IP, 3.02 ERA.1.1 BB/9
  • Posted an overall 4.65 ERA (90 ERA+), 1.209 WHIP

In 2018 he fell off the virtual cliff. Splitting time between starting and relief, Tomlin threw 70 1/3 innings at a 6.14 ERA, and 1.419 WHIP.

He has never been a strikeout pitcher, but from 2014 through 2017 he posted a respectable (for a pitch to contact guy) K/9 of seven.

The 2018 season saw him post his lowest rate since pre-surgery days, 5.9. Wait, there’s more.

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