Tyler Kinley

Tyler Harrison Kinley

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 205 lb.
• School Barry University
• High School Nova High School (Davie)
• Debut April 7, 2018

• Born January 31, 1991 in Plantation, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Tyler Kinley was a 16th round selection by the Miami Marlins in the 2013 amateur draft. After five seasons in the Marlins' organization, he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2017 Rule V Draft. He made the team's opening day roster, but had to wait more than a week to make his debut. It came on April 7th against the Seattle Mariners when he pitched the last inning of an 11-4 loss, allowing a run on a lead-off double by Jean Segura, an error by LF Eddie Rosario and a wild pitch. After 4 appearances with Minnesota, during which he gave up 9 runs in 3 1/3 innings, he was returned to the Marlins on May 1st. He appeared in 9 more games for the Marlins later that season.

He moved to the Colorado Rockies in 2020 after being claimed off waivers following the 2019 season. His first two seasons with Colorado were unremarkable, as he put up ERAs of 5.32 and 4.73 in 24 and 70 games respectively, but in 2022, he emerged seemingly out of nowhere as an outstanding set-up man for closer Daniel Bard. Over his first 25 games, his ERA was a minute 0.75, the result of giving up just 2 earned runs in 24 innings, allowing just 21 hits and 6 walks while striking out 27 opponents. Unfortunately, his season ended brutally when he was diagnosed with a flexor tear in his right elbow on June 15th, with Tommy John surgery a very likely possibility.

He was able to return from the surgery in a little over a year later, making his first appearance of the 2023 season on August 1st. He pitched 18 times for a total of 16 1/3 innings, going 0-4 with an ERA of 6.06, but still managed to record a career-high 5 saves during the final two months of the season. He was again a mainstay of the Rockies' bullpen in 2024 when his 12 saves led the team. He also went 6-1, finishing tied for second in wins (Cal Quantrill led the staff with just 8 wins) and his 67 appearances were also a team high. But it was a bit like being the tallest of the seven dwarves, as the Rockies were awful that season, losing 101 games, and his ERA of 6.19 was far from sparkling. But that only set the stage for even worse 2025 season when the Rox flirted with the all-time record for losses in a season, finishing with 119. The team ERA was 5.99, so Tyler's ERA of 5.66 in 49 games was better than average. he went 1-3 with 3 saves in those games and was thankfully moved at the trading deadline on July 30th, being sent to the Atlanta Braves for a minor leaguer. Away from Coors Field, he recovered his superpowers and was excellent over the final two months as he went 5-0 with an excellent ERA of 0-72 in 24 games. In 25 innings, he allowed just 11 hits and 6 walks, and struck out 22 batters.

In spite of his turnaround after joining the Braves, the team declined to pick up his option for the 2026 season, which would have cost them $5.5 million. That made him a free agent, but on January 10th, he agreed to a one-year deal with the team, taking a cut in pay to $3 million, with an option for a $5.5 million salary the next year.

Further Reading

• Mark Bowman: "Braves make another addition to 'pen, reuniting with Kinley", mlb.com, January 10, 2026. [1]
• Mike Cranston (Associated Press): "Rockies setup man Tyler Kinley likely to miss rest of season", Yahoo! News, June 15, 2022. [2]

Related Sites

• Tyler Kinley on mlb.com