Michael Tonkin Adds Depth to Twins’ Bullpen Hierarchy

The Twins drafted Michael Tonkin in the 30th round of the 2008 MLB Draft, from a high school in California. For some perspective, MLB has cut the draft to 20 rounds in recent years, adjusting to the fact that there are fewer minor-league teams. As a high-school pitcher, Tonkin slowly worked through the organization. He posted a sub-3.50 ERA in the low minors, before becoming a full-time reliever in 2011. His 2012 season put him on the map as a relief prospect. In 69 1/3 innings, he posted a 2.08 ERA between Low- and High-A. The Twins were aggressive with him the following season, as he was pushed to make his big-league debut. 

From 2013-17, Tonkin became a fixture in the Twins’ bullpen mix. He posted a 4.43 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and 9.2 K/9 in 146 1/3 innings. He became less effective over his last two seasons with the Twins, with his ERA ballooning above 5.00 and both hits and home runs piling up against him. He went to Japan in 2018, pitched at Triple-A for Milwaukee and Arizona in 2019, and bounced between the Mexican League and independent ball in 2021. Last season, Tonkin added depth to the Braves bullpen while combining for a 4.28 ERA with a solid 23.1% strikeout rate and 7.1% walk rate across 80 innings. He signed a split one-year deal with the Mets for $1 million this winter and appeared in three games for them before being cast aside.

Tonkin was a necessary pickup because the Twins currently have seven relievers on the injured list, and the team played their first game of the Dodger series with only 12 pitchers on the 26-man roster. Jhoan Durán, Caleb Thielbar, Daniel Duarte, Josh Staumont, and Justin Topa are on the 15-day IL, while Zack Weiss and Josh Winder are now on the 60-day IL. Thielbar (hamstring) and Staumont (calf) both started rehab assignments with the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday and have a chance to re-join the Twins as early as this weekend. 

With reinforcements returning soon, Tonkin must utilize his full pitch mix to be effective and stick on the roster. Last season, Tonkin used two pitches regularly: a sinker and a slider. Batters hit .226 against his sinker, with a .421 SLG and a 48-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 209 plate appearances. His slider was more effective, with batters limited to a .304 SLG and a 30.4 Whiff%. Tonkin began using a four-seamer again this season, but that was one of his issues with the Mets. Opponents went 4-for-9 against it, with a double and a home run. It will be interesting to see if the Twins attempt to convince him to ditch that pitch. 

So, where does Tonkin fit into the team’s bullpen hierarchy? The Twins have used Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart in a dual closer role, which will likely continue until Durán returns from injury. Minnesota’s set-up situation has been a little cloudier, with different options and varying levels of success. Jorge Alcalá, Steven Okert, and Jay Jackson have all gotten opportunities in the late innings. Alcalá left Saturday’s game with a sore arm, but played catch on Sunday and felt better. Kody Funderburk is the second lefty in the bullpen behind Okert, so it will be interesting to see if the team keeps him when Thielbar is deemed healthy enough to come off the shelf. Cole Sands was kept on the roster as a long reliever, but has been limited to low-leverage appearances in the season’s early games. Tonkin will likely pitch in a middle-inning role similar to what Funderburk and Sands have filled in 2024.

Tonkin’s career has been a roller coaster. He’s played in multiple countries and likely thought his days as a big-leaguer at least once. He has persevered, though, and helped a Braves team that won over 100 games last season. His season isn’t off to a perfect start, but he still has an opportunity to be a valuable bullpen piece on a Twins team desperate for depth. 

Can Tonkin stick in the bullpen if the team gets healthy? Will the Twins have him ditch his four-seamer? Leave a comment and start the discussion.