Cleveland Indians: Josh Tomlin, all he does is win win win

Going into spring training the Cleveland Indians knew without a doubt who their starting three pitchers in the rotation were going to be. Corey Kluber, the 2 years removed Cy Young award winner, flame throwing Carlos Carrasco and the power pitching Danny Salazar. The only question was, who was going to be the 4th and 5th starters?

More from Away Back Gone

Cody Anderson, who showed flashes of being a strong starter last season, has had a rough start to his 2016 campaign. In his first 4 starts, Anderson has a 0-1 record, with a 7.65 ERA, giving up 34 hits and 17 runs in 20 innings. After his start against the Chicago White Sox, on April 9, he was sent to Columbus to work out his issues.

Then there was Trevor Bauer and T.J. House, who both competed to check the starting 5. Bauer landed in the bullpen and House was sent to the minors.

This brings us to the hottest pitcher on the Indians staff, Josh Tomlin. Josh is currently 5-0 to begin the season and is starting right where he finished the 2015 season after he went 7-2 in 2015 and provided a spark for the Tribe down the strength. Josh also is currently riding an amazing streak for the Indians, he’s 12-0 following an Indians loss.

"“It means I’m just doing my job, “Tomlin said. “It means I’m going out there and giving them a chance to win, not always the best statistical-wise maybe, but it’s a chance to win, and that’s what a starting pitcher’s job is. So, it feels good”"

Another amazing stat that doesn’t always make the sport’s highlights is the fact that Josh just doesn’t walk batters. In his 29 innings pitched this season he has only walked 2 hitters. He has had the lowest walk rate in the Major Leagues since 2011 with an average of 1.6 walks per 9 innings. The Indians pitchers are known as the strikeout kings that can overpower batters with fastballs and other hard nasty pitches, so really Josh Tomlin is like the smoke after the fire. Josh can’t blow the heat passed many batters, and only has 19 strikeouts this season, but he gives the Indians a chance to win every time he’s out, and in fact, that’s exactly what he’s done this season.

The Texas-born, 31-year-old Tomlin has bounced around during his career, pitching in the minors for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Kinston Indians, Lake County Captains, Buffalo Bisons and the Columbus Clippers. Josh has a minor league record of 51-24 with a 3.20 ERA. He made his Major League debut against the Yankees on July 27, 2010, getting a win over CC Sabathia. Since then Josh has had injury issues, which included inflammation to the soft tissue of the wrist and Tommy John surgery in 2012. Josh throws 5 different pitches, a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, a cut fastball, a curveball and a changeup. His fastball averages around 86 to 90 MPH. He seems to use the “just get it over” mentality and relies on his defence. Regardless of his approach, it’s working, and it’s a long season, the Indians need solid pitching to be in the conversation in the American League, and he’s providing that.

Next: Cody Allen Velocity Drop, Should We Be Concerned?

Josh may never win 20 games in a season, he may never be enshrined in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, and he might not ever get bronzed outside of Progressive Field when he retires, but maybe the fans can help him reach a milestone in his career. Get online and vote, let’s all show some Tribe pride and help Josh get into the MLB all-star game.

Home/Cleveland Guardians News