Mason Tobin
| IP | 5 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 7.2 |
| WHIP | 2 |
| BB/9 | 9 |
| SO/9 | 0 |
- Full name Mason Reed Tobin
- Born 07/08/1987 in Glendive, MT
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Everett CC
- Debut 04/02/2011
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Drafted in the 16th round (508th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2007 (signed for $120,000).
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Righthander Mason Tobin, a Braves draft-and-follow committed to Embry-Riddle (Fla.), had shown a pretty good slider to go with 90-92 mph fastball velocity. At times his heater has hard sink. He was consistent this spring, winning nine games for Everett, and at 6-foot-2 he has a decent pro frame. While his arm works easy, he lacks consistency with his slider and often relies on the fastball.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Taken by the Braves in both the 2005 and '06 drafts, Tobin finally signed for $125,000 as the Angels' 16th-round selection in 2007. Making a cameo in big league camp last year to fill in for World Baseball Classic participants, he impressed the coaching staff by showing a fastball that one Angels official called well above-average for both its velocity and life. That buzz lasted all of three relief outings, after which Tobin had Tommy John surgery. He made just eight starts in 2008 before succumbing to a shoulder strain. So as it stands, his combined innings count for the past two seasons is just 40. Prior to his run of injuries, Tobin fired 93-95 mph fastballs with heavy sink and plenty of armside run. He throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, so while his low-80s slider shows short, late break at times, it also flattens out when he gets under it. All the lost time has precluded him from throwing his rudimentary changeup. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Tobin looks the part of a power pitcher, but his delivery is neither fluid nor effortless. A shift to the bullpen seems like the best bet for his future health. He's expected to return to the mound around midseason, but 2010 will essentially be another lost developmental year, his third in a row. -
The Braves controlled Tobin's rights for two years as a draft-and-follow before Los Angeles signed him for $125,000 as a 16th-rounder in 2007. He didn't allow a run in his first three outings last season, but he strained his shoulder shortly afterward and didn't pitch after June 6. After showing average velocity in his pro debut, Tobin worked in the low 90s and touched 97 mph in low Class A before his shoulder acted up. He has heavy sink and nice armside run on his heater, which he delivers from a low three-quarters arm slot. He also flashes a hard slider. His size and less-than-fluid delivery combined to make him an intimidating presence on the mound. Tobin's slider gets slurvy at times and his changeup is just in its rudimentary stages, allowing hitters to sit on his fastball. He sometimes gets under his pitches, causing them to flatten out. His shoulder isn't a long-term worry, though it did cost him valuable development time. He pitches with some effort in his delivery, which causes more concern about his durability. The Angels expect Tobin to be healthy for spring training and probably will ease him back into pitching at high Class A. If he doesn't refine his secondary pitches, his fastball alone could make him a dynamic reliever. -
Atlanta controlled Tobin's rights for two years as a draft-and-follow, first at Western Nevada CC and later at Everett (Wash.) CC. The Braves never signed him, so the Angels drafted Tobin in the 16th round last June and signed him for $120,000. He ranked among the Rookie-level Arizona League's top prospects following a splendid debut. Tobin's fastball hums along at 89-92 mph with plus sink and occasional armside run. The ball jumps on hitters from his deceptive, low three-quarters arm slot. It will always be a challenge for him to stay on top of his slider from that slot, but he'll flash a hard slider with late bite occasionally. His changeup is a distant third offering for now. Concerns about Tobin's work ethic raised questions as an amateur. More than one club official commented on his intimidating demeanor on the mound in a positive way, however. He could make his full-season debut in low Class A provided he has a good showing this spring. He profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The Braves controlled Tobin's rights for two years as a draft-and-follow, first at Western Nevada CC and later at Everett (Wash.) CC. When Atlanta couldn't sign him, the Angels drafted Tobin in the 16th round this June. They got a relatively polished righthander who pumps his fastball in the 89-92 mph range. Tobin has excellent mechanics with an effortless delivery that adds deception and helps his fastball play up. At times, he can rely on his heater alone, but he'll need to refine his slider and particularly his changeup as he moves up the ladder. His slider at times is a plus pitch but lacks consistency. Concerns about his work ethic dogged Tobin as an amateur. But once he's on the mound, he's a bulldog who challenges hitters. "He loves to pitch inside," Angels manager Ty Boykin said. "He threw strikes and was aggressive, and he succeeded at this level because he commanded the fastball and used both sides of the plate."
