Brewers Sign Josh Tomlin to Minors Deal - Invite to camp

[ThisIsMyCrew]

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Love this! Exact type of formerly solid pitcher that this team should take a chance on. Hopefully they sign a couple more of these types.

[NYChez]

Rare pitcher that has given up more home runs than walks.

[RollieTime]

Doesn’t strike anybody out and gives up a ton of home runs, but doesn’t walk many people at all. They must of saw something they want to try with him that could help him be successful. Possibly an insurance bullpen arm?

[brewmann04]

We have a guy already on this roster making more money in Chase Anderson. But really like this type of Move for the Brewers and like to see at least one more in that way like James Shields would be a nice addition. Still will not mike signing a FA arm like Dallas .

[KCBrewerfan34]

I saw Stearns today, he looked like he was up to something . BTW if you haven’t had the pleasure the guy is absolutely top notch and very personable (in person). No tidbits unfortunately

[TURBO]

meh...

[BrewCrewForever]

I saw Stearns today, he looked like he was up to something . BTW if you haven’t had the pleasure the guy is absolutely top notch and very personable (in person). No tidbits unfortunately

 

Where did you see him? Restaurant? Store?

[brewmann04]

how could you tell he was up to something?

[MadThinker88]

I have been a fan of Josh Tomlin for years. To start, he is a gamer. He will get every ounce he can out his body at all times. Unfortunately in the last year plus, that was the question - was he healthy? As his velocity slipped, his pitches were more hit-able and a number traveled very far. If you wonder about his stuff, consider his performance in the 2016 WS. Yes he was light up in gm 6 (he was also victimized by some poor OF D that game) but also consider his start in gm 3 in Chicago.. All in all very serviceable player (when healthy).

 

Tomlin is a better than expected athlete and I often wondered why Tito & other Tribe managers didn't use him in PH or PR roles on his off days to lengthen the bench. A little known tidbit, while in college, Josh played SS on the days he wasn't pitching. Normally that wouldn't seem like much but the SS when Josh pitched in college was Troy Tulo --- yeah that guy now with the Yankees.

[jschris]

Tomlin worked out at Driveline this offseason. Kyle Boddy tweeted out that "he was able to pick up different pitches and the ability to spin a ball differently rather quickly." Probably a Cam Castro connection/recommendation there.

[dlk9s]

how could you tell he was up to something?

 

He was awake and ambulatory.

[wntrtxn21]

Tomlin is horrible and getting worse. Last year alone he allowed 25 HRs in just 70 IPs. Velocity is getting worse, location stinks, and he allows a ton of hits. He'll get bombed in AAA. Nothing lost by Stearns since it's a minor lg. contract with little risk.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Tomlin is horrible and getting worse. Last year alone he allowed 25 HRs in just 70 IPs. Velocity is getting worse, location stinks, and he allows a ton of hits. He'll get bombed in AAA. Nothing lost by Stearns since it's a minor lg. contract with little risk.

 

So many people said the same thing about Miley last year. Goes to show that we know nothing.

[Roderick]

how could you tell he was up to something?

 

He was awake and ambulatory.

 

Does he really need to be ambulatory to be up to something?

[Invader3K]

Guys, everyone knows Stearns does advanced statistical analysis while he's sleeping.

[djoctagone]

josh tomlin appears to have two minor league options left, but has spent time optioned to the minor leagues during three different seasons. he appears to have enough major league service time to refuse the optional assignment, which would void his contract and make him a free agent.

 

he is the 15th non-roster invitee in 2019 camp.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Stearns is into subs. (Eastside restaraunt).

[stalton]

how could you tell he was up to something?

 

He was awake and ambulatory.

 

Does he really need to be ambulatory to be up to something?

 

Wouldn't he be down to something then?

[TooLiveBrew]

Stearns is into subs. (Eastside restaraunt).

Of course. Submariners - market inefficiency

[KeithStone53151]

One of probably a few more meh signings. Most of these don't make the MLB roster, every so often you get a Miley or Aguilar though. No risk, potentially high reward.

[JohnBriggs12]

Between Tomlin and Matt Albers, Brewers will have 2 guys in camp that allowed 35 HR in 105 innings combined in 2018. I can see hitters fighting to take BP off these two in Arizona.

[anglotiger]

Doesn’t strike anybody out and gives up a ton of home runs, but doesn’t walk many people at all. They must of saw something they want to try with him that could help him be successful. Possibly an insurance bullpen arm?

 

It sounds like throws strikes consistently but has really hittable stuff...?

 

That's a bad combination... if he doesn't learn to risk nibbling at the corners, he doesn't have much of a future in the game...

[Fear The Chorizo]

This is the same type of signing Miley was last year - a guy with a good mlb track record years ago who has struggled recently, prompting him to try to retool his pitch repertoire in hopes of remaining a big leaguer. Boom or bust type move with zero longterm risk...why not?

[jerichoholicninja]

This is the same type of signing Miley was last year - a guy with a good mlb track record years ago who has struggled recently, prompting him to try to retool his pitch repertoire in hopes of remaining a big leaguer. Boom or bust type move with zero longterm risk...why not?

 

I don't know if I'd say Tomlin has ever had a "good mlb track record". He's only had an ERA+ over 100 twice in 8 seasons, 143 in 2015 and 103 in 2016. It's at 88 for his career. He looks like he does a decent job of limiting baserunners, he's got a very low BB/9 of 1.3 for his career, and his WHIP's reflect that as they're generally around 1.2ish. But his k rate is pretty low at 6.1 per 9. I know nothing about his repertoire but if working at driveline has increased his velocity and sharpened his pitches leading to a few more K's, then couple that with the Brewers great defense and maybe he can put together a good season.