Josh Tomlin

Career

Tomlin attended Whitehouse High School, Angelina College, and Texas Tech University. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign. He was drafted again by the Cleveland Indians in the 19th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, and did sign.

Since 2006, Tomlin has played with various minor league baseball teams including the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, Kinston Indians, Buffalo Bisons, and Columbus Clippers.

At Columbus, Tomlin went 8–4 with a 2.68 ERA in 20 appearances, including 17 starts. He has an overall minor-league record of 51–24 with a 3.20 ERA.

Tomlin was promoted to the Indians to make his major league debut against the New York Yankees on July 27, 2010, where he outpitched the Yankees' CC Sabathia, earning a 4–1 win.

On May 7, 2012, Tomlin pitched a no-decision with a career-high 8 Strikeouts in a win versus the White Sox. The following day Tomlin reported soreness in his wrist and was placed on the 15-day disabled list after undergoing a MRI which revealed inflammation to soft tissue. In July, holding a 5-5 record and 5.45 ERA and recording at least six innings in just 7 of 13 starts (compared to 23 of 26 in all of 2011), Tomlin stated, "Last year, they could count on me to save the bullpen. It's bothered me that I've been like that. It's frustrating." On August 21, 2012, Tomlin underwent Tommy John surgery and was eliminated for the rest of the 2012 season and was expected to miss the entire 2013 season. However, he did pitch in one game on September 12, 2013, when he pitched two shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox in a relief appearance. Tomlin was called up from AAA Columbus on May 5, 2014 and placed on the Cleveland Indians starting rotation, replacing Carlos Carrasco. On June 28, 2014, Tomlin pitched a near perfect game against the Seattle Mariners, striking out 11, walking none, and no hit batters and giving up one hit. The only player to reach base was Kyle Seager, getting a lead off single in the fifth. Tomlin went on to get a complete game shutout, leading the Indians to a 5-0 victory.

On January 15, 2016, he and the Indians agreed to a one year deal for the 2016 season worth $2.5 million. Negotiations continued, and eleven days later, another year was added to the contract, for the same $2.5 million base salary. A team option, worth $3 million, is available for the 2018 season.

Pitching style

Tomlin throws five pitches. He has a four-seam fastball (87–91 mph), a two-seam fastball (86–90), a cut fastball (83–88), a curveball (74–77), and a changeup (low 80s). The changeup is used against left-handed hitters, and Tomlin uses his curveball often in two-strike counts. Tomlin walks very few hitters, averaging only 1.6 walks per 9 innings through his first 333 innings. He had the lowest walk rate, 1.1 per 9 innings, in the Major Leagues in 2011. Since 2013 through September 8th, 2017, Tomlin has the lowest walk rate among all major league pitchers, walking only 1.07 batters per 9 innings.

Personal

Along with former Aeros teammates Jerad Head and Beau Mills, Tomlin was accused in June 2010 of assault at an Akron bar, but a jury later reduced the charges to disorderly conduct.