Chris Tillman
From BR Bullpen
Christopher Steven Tillman
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5", Weight 195 lb.
- High School Fountain Valley High School
- Debut July 29, 2009
- Born April 15, 1988 in Anaheim, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Chris Tillman had a promising 2007, his first full minor league season, and made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009.
Tillman was rated as the top prospect in the California high schools by Baseball America entering 2006. A rocky senior season led to his falling to the 49th pick of the 2006 amateur draft, when he was chosen by the Seattle Mariners. The second-round selection debuted with the AZL Mariners and was 2-0 with a save and a 0.82 ERA; in 11 innings, he struck out 16. Promoted to the Everett AquaSox, he was a miserable 1-3, 7.78. In 19 2/3 innings, he allowed 25 hits, 15 walks and 3 wild pitches, but did strike out 29.
In 2007, Tillman showed very good progress. He was 1-4 with a 3.55 ERA for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and 6-7, 5.26 for the High Desert Mavericks but averaged over a strikeout per inning and led Mariners prospects with 139 strikeouts. Baseball America rated him as the #3 prospect in the California League, behind Justin Upton and Henry Sosa and a slot ahead of Matt Antonelli. He was named the Mariners minor league pitcher of the year.
That winter, Tillman was traded with Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio to the Baltimore Orioles for Erik Bedard. He made his major league debut for the Birds a year and a half later.
Chris spent 2008 with the Bowie Baysox, posting a 11-4, 3.18 record and .227 opponent average and striking out 154 in 136 innings. He finished fifth in the Eastern League in ERA, between Jon Niese and Brad Bergesen and was second to David Hernandez in strikeouts. Baseball America ranked him as the second-best EL prospect, right behind teammate Matt Wieters.
Tillman began 2009 with the Norfolk Tides, going 8-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 99 K in 96 2/3 IP. He was 4th in the International League in ERA. He was then called up to replace the injured Rich Hill. He had a rough MLB debut. After retiring his first four opponents, he gave up a homer to Alberto Callaspo. An out later, Miguel Olivo went deep. Overall, he served up 3 homers, 7 hits and 3 runs in 4 2/3 IP in taking the loss against Zach Greinke and the Royals. He made 12 starts for the O's, going 2-5, 5.40 while striking out 39 in 65 innings.
On April 28, 2010, Tillman pitched a no-hitter for Norfolk over the Gwinnett Braves. He won the game 6-0, walking one and striking out 6.
[edit] Sources
- 2007 Mariners Media Guide
- Associated Press report on Bedard trade
- 2007-2008 Baseball Almanacs
