The Braves are burning up the transaction wire trying to keep fresh arms available for this week’s pivotal series against the New York Mets.
This morning Atlanta recalled one of their top pitching prospects to potentially make his major league debut against their most hated rival as 2017 draft pick Freddy Tarnok makes his eagerly awaited way to Truist Park.
The Player
Freddy Tarnok, RHP
Age: 23
OFR Prospect Rank: 4
2022 Level: AA/AAA
The Results (AA/AAA)
3.63 ERA / 4.16 FIP
20 G, 20 GS
89.1 IP
3.43 BB/9
10.18 K/9
The History
Tarnok was somewhat of a surprise pick in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft by the Braves, but he fit the profile of a talented prep pitcher with relatively low mileage on his arm the the Braves tended to gravitate towards during the rebuild. Tarnok had primarily been a shortstop up until his junior year of high school. By his senior year, he was throwing regularly in the low-90s and showing a promising curveball.
Tarnok was brought along slowly after signing with the Braves. Tarnok didn’t make his pro debut until a month after the GCL season had started, and he only pitched in 8 games all season, though with good success. In 2018, Tarnok began the season in the low-A Rome bullpen to manage his innings. He earned a South Atlantic League All-Star berth after pitching to a 1.26 ERA in 35.2 innings over 16 appearances, striking out 49. In the second half, Tarnok joined the Rome rotation here he struggled in the second half as he tried to adjust his effort level to go deeper into games. He saw success late in the season, putting up a 1.35 ERA in his final three starts as he started emphasizing an improving curveball.
Tarnok tried to carry that late season success to high-A Florida the following season but was slowed by a balky shoulder. He was shut down for the month of June, returning to the Fire Frogs in mid-July with much improved command. In his final 8 starts he threw 45.1 innings and struck out 41 batters while posting a 2.98 ERA.
In the lost COVID season, Tarnok stayed at home and worked remotely with coaches on cleaning up his delivery. The result was a boost in his fastball velocity, and he posted video of himself registering 99 mph on his radar gun. A major league spring training invite was waiting for him in 2021 and he impressed coaches in three spring appearances. While working in minor league camp however he suffered another injury and did not make his 2021 debut until June. He made 7 appearances with high-A Rome before moving up to Mississippi where he flourished, becoming a key part of a championship rotation, throwing to a 2.60 ERA in 9 starts and pitching well in the postseason.
After a shaky first couple of months back in Mississippi in 2022, Tarnok righted the ship as the calendar flipped to June, then earning a promotion to AAA Gwinnett in mid-July. Since June 1, Tarnok has pitched to a 2.83 ERA in 12 starts for Mississippi and Gwinnett, striking out 68 in 54 innings. He has been exceptionally sharp his last three outings.
The Report
Tarnok is listed at 6′-3″ and 185 pounds, but that’s probably a lie. He has filled out since those measurements were published when he first reported for professional duty in 2017.
Tarnok has four pitches, highlighted by mid-90s 4-seam fastball that he can rev up to the high 90s for short stints or when he’s in trouble. He likes to work up and down in the zone, changing eye level and getting pop-ups. He complements it with a power curveball that occasionally shows as elite when he finishes it over properly, but tends to flatten and stay high when he loses feel. He can then bring in a slider for a more horizontal look. The main difference-maker for him this year is the development of his change-up, a pitch which has allowed him to be competitive against left-handers, who get a much better look at the curveball.
Tarnok can get into trouble when he nibbles and still has occasions where he seems to lose feel over one or all of his pitches, though that has been much less common since his promotion to Gwinnett. All-in-all Tarnok has the liveliest arm of anyone in the Braves upper minor leagues.
What’s Next
Tarnok’s first stay in Atlanta may only last as long as Max Fried needs to remain on the injured list, or maybe shorter than that — there’s every reason to believe that if he is used today that he could be swapped out for another pitcher tomorrow.
That said, this is a an exciting moment for Tarnok, who finally completes the long journey from recently-converted shortstop to major league pitcher.
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