Position: RHP
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 06/23/2000
College: Louisiana Tech University
How Acquired: Drafted 10th round, 287th Overall, 2023
Bonus: $12,500
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates drafted Tomkins as a fifth-year senior. He pitched three seasons at Louisiana Tech, making six starts his last year and otherwise pitching in relief. For his three seasons he had a 3.92 ERA, with a 4.5 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9. He throws a sinker that sits at 91-93 mph, with a slider as his main secondary pitch. He also throws a change. Tomkins wasn’t ranked among the top draft prospects by either Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. He signed for well under the slot value of $171,200.
2023-24
After signing, Tomkins appeared in 11 games in short relief for Bradenton. It didn’t go well, as he allowed 17 hits and eight walks in 16 innings, while striking out only six.
For most of 2024, Tomkins pitched in relief for Bradenton and did fairly well, with a 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and good walk and K rates. His numbers suffered from one bad month (something of a pattern with relievers), that being June when opponents had an .820 OPS against him. The Pirates promoted Tomkins to Greensboro in early August and struggled, with a 5.23 ERA and 1.74 WHIP.
Stats
Transactions
July 10, 2023: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round, 287th overall pick; signed on July 14.