Freddy Tarnok Stats & Scouting Report

IP	21.1
ERA	6.33
WHIP	1.83
BB/9	6.75
SO/9	11.81

Full name Frederic Michael Tarnok
Born 11/24/1998 in Brandon, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Riverview
Debut 08/17/2022
Drafted in the 3rd round (80th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2017 (signed for $1,445,000).

View Draft Report

A two-way prospect, Tarnok began taking steps forward on the mound this spring. He has a projectable 6-foot-4 frame with coathanger-like shoulders and room to fill. Tarnok has a loose, easy arm action and he's already capable of pitching in the low to mid-90s, touching as high as 96 mph. The pitch flashes late sink down in the strike zone. Tarnok flashes an upper 70s curveball as well that can generate sharp downward action. Tarnok has a long way to go to reach his ceiling on the mound, but he has the natural ingredients to develop into a starting pitching prospect. He''s committed to Division II Tampa.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 40/Medium

Track Record: Tarnok was a two-way player committed to Division II Tampa until the Braves signed him for $1,445,000 in 2017, setting off a steady climb through their system that culminated with his big league debut in 2022. The A’s acquired him that winter as part of the deal that sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta. Injuries have thwarted Tarnok with his new club. He pitched just 21.2 innings in 2023, missing time with shoulder, blister and calf ailments before a hip injury required season-ending surgery.

Scouting Report: When healthy, Tarnok’s mid-90s fastball plays well at the top of the strike zone with good spin and carry. He pitched off his fastball/curveball combination as he ascended the minors. His upper-70s downer curve was once one of the best in Atlanta’s system, but has backed up. Tarnok has relied more frequently on a tighter upper-80s slider over the last year, especially in a limited big league look in 2023. His changeup has plus shape, albeit with inconsistent results. Tarnok battled his delivery at times as a minor leaguer and his command was below-average in 2023, although injuries may have factored into the shaky strike-throwing.

The Future: There is ample opportunity for Tarnok in Oakland in 2024, although his command and durability woes may ultimately push him toward a relief role.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school in Florida, but the Braves signed him for $1.4 million as a pitcher in the 2017 third round after taking Kyle Wright in the first and Drew Waters in the second. Tarnok's progress was slow initially, before a breakout 2021 season when he reached the upper minors. In 2022, Tarnok made his MLB debut by pitching two-thirds of an inning in relief on Aug. 17 against the Mets.

Scouting Report: In his age-23 season, Tarnok mostly pitched between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, where he showed flashes of dominance and periods of inconsistency. Tarnok has a four-pitch mix, headlined by a four-seam fastball that sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with good spin (2,400 rpm) and carry (18 inches of induced vertical break). His go-to secondary is a 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s that was previously the best such pitch in the system, but evaluators inside and outside the system noted it took a step backward in 2022. Tarnok showed some progress with a mid-80s changeup, and the Braves have continued to try to help him develop a low-80s slider, though it has been slow going. External evaluators view his changeup and slider as fringe-average offerings. At times, Tarnok showed the ability to dominate with his fastball, but he has also struggled to sync his delivery and navigate a lineup multiple times with consistency.

The Future: The Braves have committed to developing Tarnok as a starter, but plenty of scouts think he could excel in shorter stints as a reliever where he can focus on dominating with his fastball and using just one or two secondary pitches. He has two minor league options remaining.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 45. Changeup: 45. Control: 45
Track Record: A two-way player out of high school in Florida, the Braves drafted Tarnok in the third round as a pitcher and signed him for $1.4 million. His development was slow going for his first four years, but in 2021 Tarnok took a step forward and reached Double-A Mississippi, where he dominated and posted a 2.60 ERA.

Scouting Report: Tarnok has come into his own physically and as a pitcher this year, and now gets his fastball up into the 95-98 mph range at times, with one of the best true curveballs in the system—a 12-to-6 downer that gets plus grades. Tarnok added strength, velocity and more comfort with his delivery during the 2020 covid season. He primarily pitched off that fastball/curveball combination in 2021, but as the year progressed, he worked in a slider and a changeup. Both pitches need more work to get consistent above-average grades, but Braves officials were happy with how comfortable he seemed with both by the end of the year. Previously, Tarnok’s changeup was viewed as one of the best in the system, but it regressed this year while his curve improved. Among Braves minor leaguers with at least 10 starts, only Spencer Strider posted a better strikeout percentage than Tarnok (36.5%).

The Future: Tarnok is now close to or inside the top tier of Braves pitching prospects after showing the best bat-missing stuff of his pro career. He’s got plenty of positive indicators between his size, deep pitch mix and command. Now he needs to do the same against more advanced hitters.
TRACK RECORD: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school the Braves drafted as a pitcher. For someone new to pitching full-time, he held his own in his full-season debut at low Class A Rome but hit a wall with a 4.87 ERA in 19 starts at high Class A Florida in 2019. Tarnok spent 2020 working out remotely at a facility in Florida. He did not participate in instructional league after he dropped a weight on his foot and broke a toe.

SCOUTING REPORT: Tarnok spent the summer working to get a better feel for his delivery. His fastball previously peaked at 95 mph but ran up to 99 mph in bullpen sessions during his remote workouts. His changeup is one of the best in the Braves system and he throws it with confidence to both lefties and righties. Tarnok is still working to settle on a breaking ball. He has toyed with both a curveball and a slider and Braves officials prefer his slider at the moment. Tarnok has steadily improved his control each year, but it's still fringe-average.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok has progressed but needs to show it will hold. He'll see Double-A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: A converted shortstop, the Braves liked Tarnok's raw talent on the mound out of high school and have watched him slowly figure out the nuances of pitching during his first three years with the organization.

SCOUTING REPORT: After splitting time as a reliever and starter in 2018, Tarnok started the entire season this year, and progressed to high Class A Florida, where he's focused on simplifying his delivery to improve his control and command. That improvement was borne out in the numbers, as Tarnok's walk rate improved by almost two batters per nine from 2018 to 2019. Tarnok has an average fastball in the 92-94 mph range that touches 95, but he's improved his secondaries this season. His changeup is among the better offerings in the system, and he throws that pitch with confidence to lefties and righties. He's also worked to get more aggressive with a curveball this season after previously throwing a slider, though his breaking ball is still his third-best offering. Tarnok missed a month of the season with a lat injury, but his improvement while on the mound during his second full season was obvious in many respects.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok should push to Double-A Mississippi at some point in 2020, where he'll work to improve his breaking ball and increase his chances of starting in the future, though a high-leverage reliever role is still a possibility.
Track Record: It's been quite a transition for Tarnok. Until his senior year in high school he was a shortstop who barely pitched, but a well-timed move to the mound had turned him into a top 100 pick.

Scouting Report: The Braves slowly stretched Tarnok into a starting role over the course of the season, but his long-term role is very much up in the air. His lack of pitching experience is apparent at times as he has further work to do to repeat his delivery more consistently and his secondary offerings are often immature. Tarnok will show flashes of potential with his 85-87 mph slider and his 84-86 mph changeup, but neither are consistent at this point and both rarely flash better than average. His 91-94 mph average fastball can generate swings and misses. His command and control are both below-average as well.

The Future: Tarnok's prospect status is all about projection. If he fills out, gets stronger and adds polish he could end up as a high-leverage reliever. He's ready to move up to high Class A Florida.
Tarnok was a two-way prospect whose pitching took a big step forward during his senior year, launching him from being a guy for scouts to keep an eye on in three years to a third-round pick in 2017. Tarnok is raw potential and power at this point. His fastball has loads of angle and sink and pops the mitt. He sits at 92-94 mph and touches 97 with room to add a little more velocity as he adds muscle and weight with maturity. He has also shown feel for spinning a 77-80 mph curveball that flashes at least average now, and he quickly picked up a changeup. He throws a typical Rookie-level Gulf Coast League changeup right now--which means for every good pitch, there are several poor ones--but he showed aptitude and some conviction throwing it. Tarnok has to work on his consistency and a lot of the little things––holding runners, time to the plate--but he has athleticism and poise. With fewer innings on his résumé than most young pitchers, Tarnok may need a stop at Rookie-level Danville, but his stuff may force a jump to low Class A Rome instead.

Draft Prospects

A two-way prospect, Tarnok began taking steps forward on the mound this spring. He has a projectable 6-foot-4 frame with coathanger-like shoulders and room to fill. Tarnok has a loose, easy arm action and he's already capable of pitching in the low to mid-90s, touching as high as 96 mph. The pitch flashes late sink down in the strike zone. Tarnok flashes an upper 70s curveball as well that can generate sharp downward action. Tarnok has a long way to go to reach his ceiling on the mound, but he has the natural ingredients to develop into a starting pitching prospect. He''s committed to Division II Tampa.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school in Florida, but the Braves signed him for $1.4 million as a pitcher in the 2017 third round after taking Kyle Wright in the first and Drew Waters in the second. Tarnok's progress was slow initially, before a breakout 2021 season when he reached the upper minors. In 2022, Tarnok made his MLB debut by pitching two-thirds of an inning in relief on Aug. 17 against the Mets.

Scouting Report: In his age-23 season, Tarnok mostly pitched between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, where he showed flashes of dominance and periods of inconsistency. Tarnok has a four-pitch mix, headlined by a four-seam fastball that sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with good spin (2,400 rpm) and carry (18 inches of induced vertical break). His go-to secondary is a 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s that was previously the best such pitch in the system, but evaluators inside and outside the system noted it took a step backward in 2022. Tarnok showed some progress with a mid-80s changeup, and the Braves have continued to try to help him develop a low-80s slider, though it has been slow going. External evaluators view his changeup and slider as fringe-average offerings. At times, Tarnok showed the ability to dominate with his fastball, but he has also struggled to sync his delivery and navigate a lineup multiple times with consistency.

The Future: The Braves have committed to developing Tarnok as a starter, but plenty of scouts think he could excel in shorter stints as a reliever where he can focus on dominating with his fastball and using just one or two secondary pitches. He has two minor league options remaining.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 45. Changeup: 45. Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school in Florida, but the Braves signed him for $1.4 million as a pitcher in the 2017 third round after taking Kyle Wright in the first and Drew Waters in the second. Tarnok's progress was slow initially, before a breakout 2021 season when he reached the upper minors. In 2022, Tarnok made his MLB debut by pitching two-thirds of an inning in relief on Aug. 17 against the Mets.

Scouting Report: In his age-23 season, Tarnok mostly pitched between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, where he showed flashes of dominance and periods of inconsistency. Tarnok has a four-pitch mix, headlined by a four-seam fastball that sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with good spin (2,400 rpm) and carry (18 inches of induced vertical break). His go-to secondary is a 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s that was previously the best such pitch in the system, but evaluators inside and outside the system noted it took a step backward in 2022. Tarnok showed some progress with a mid-80s changeup, and the Braves have continued to try to help him develop a low-80s slider, though it has been slow going. External evaluators view his changeup and slider as fringe-average offerings. At times, Tarnok showed the ability to dominate with his fastball, but he has also struggled to sync his delivery and navigate a lineup multiple times with consistency.

The Future: The Braves have committed to developing Tarnok as a starter, but plenty of scouts think he could excel in shorter stints as a reliever where he can focus on dominating with his fastball and using just one or two secondary pitches. He has two minor league options remaining.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 45. Changeup: 45. Control: 45
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: A two-way player out of high school in Florida, the Braves drafted Tarnok in the third round as a pitcher and signed him for $1.4 million. His development was slow going for his first four years, but in 2021 Tarnok took a step forward and reached Double-A Mississippi, where he dominated and posted a 2.60 ERA.

Scouting Report: Tarnok has come into his own physically and as a pitcher this year, and now gets his fastball up into the 95-98 mph range at times, with one of the best true curveballs in the system—a 12-to-6 downer that gets plus grades. Tarnok added strength, velocity and more comfort with his delivery during the 2020 covid season. He primarily pitched off that fastball/curveball combination in 2021, but as the year progressed, he worked in a slider and a changeup. Both pitches need more work to get consistent above-average grades, but Braves officials were happy with how comfortable he seemed with both by the end of the year. Previously, Tarnok&#39s changeup was viewed as one of the best in the system, but it regressed this year while his curve improved. Among Braves minor leaguers with at least 10 starts, only Spencer Strider posted a better strikeout percentage than Tarnok (36.5%).

The Future: Tarnok is now close to or inside the top tier of Braves pitching prospects after showing the best bat-missing stuff of his pro career. He&#39s got plenty of positive indicators between his size, deep pitch mix and command. Now he needs to do the same against more advanced hitters. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 55
Track Record: A two-way player out of high school in Florida, the Braves drafted Tarnok in the third round as a pitcher and signed him for $1.4 million. His development was slow going for his first four years, but in 2021 Tarnok took a step forward and reached Double-A Mississippi, where he dominated and posted a 2.60 ERA.

Scouting Report: Tarnok has come into his own physically and as a pitcher this year, and now gets his fastball up into the 95-98 mph range at times, with one of the best true curveballs in the system—a 12-to-6 downer that gets plus grades. Tarnok added strength, velocity and more comfort with his delivery during the 2020 covid season. He primarily pitched off that fastball/curveball combination in 2021, but as the year progressed, he worked in a slider and a changeup. Both pitches need more work to get consistent above-average grades, but Braves officials were happy with how comfortable he seemed with both by the end of the year. Previously, Tarnok’s changeup was viewed as one of the best in the system, but it regressed this year while his curve improved. Among Braves minor leaguers with at least 10 starts, only Spencer Strider posted a better strikeout percentage than Tarnok (36.5%).

The Future: Tarnok is now close to or inside the top tier of Braves pitching prospects after showing the best bat-missing stuff of his pro career. He’s got plenty of positive indicators between his size, deep pitch mix and command. Now he needs to do the same against more advanced hitters.
TRACK RECORD: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school the Braves drafted as a pitcher. For someone new to pitching full-time, he held his own in his full-season debut at low Class A Rome but hit a wall with a 4.87 ERA in 19 starts at high Class A Florida in 2019. Tarnok spent 2020 working out remotely at a facility in Florida. He did not participate in instructional league after he dropped a weight on his foot and broke a toe.

SCOUTING REPORT: Tarnok spent the summer working to get a better feel for his delivery. His fastball previously peaked at 95 mph but ran up to 99 mph in bullpen sessions during his remote workouts. His changeup is one of the best in the Braves system and he throws it with confidence to both lefties and righties. Tarnok is still working to settle on a breaking ball. He has toyed with both a curveball and a slider and Braves officials prefer his slider at the moment. Tarnok has steadily improved his control each year, but it's still fringe-average.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok has progressed but needs to show it will hold. He'll see Double-A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school the Braves drafted as a pitcher. For someone new to pitching full-time, he held his own in his full-season debut at low Class A Rome but hit a wall with a 4.87 ERA in 19 starts at high Class A Florida in 2019. Tarnok spent 2020 working out remotely at a facility in Florida. He did not participate in instructional league after he dropped a weight on his foot and broke a toe.

SCOUTING REPORT: Tarnok spent the summer working to get a better feel for his delivery. His fastball previously peaked at 95 mph but ran up to 99 mph in bullpen sessions during his remote workouts. His changeup is one of the best in the Braves system and he throws it with confidence to both lefties and righties. Tarnok is still working to settle on a breaking ball. He has toyed with both a curveball and a slider and Braves officials prefer his slider at the moment. Tarnok has steadily improved his control each year, but it's still fringe-average.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok has progressed but needs to show it will hold. He'll see Double-A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school the Braves drafted as a pitcher. For someone new to pitching full-time, he held his own in his full-season debut at low Class A Rome but hit a wall with a 4.87 ERA in 19 starts at high Class A Florida in 2019. Tarnok spent 2020 working out remotely at a facility in Florida. He did not participate in instructional league after he dropped a weight on his foot and broke a toe.

SCOUTING REPORT: Tarnok spent the summer working to get a better feel for his delivery. His fastball previously peaked at 95 mph but ran up to 99 mph in bullpen sessions during his remote workouts. His changeup is one of the best in the Braves system and he throws it with confidence to both lefties and righties. Tarnok is still working to settle on a breaking ball. He has toyed with both a curveball and a slider and Braves officials prefer his slider at the moment. Tarnok has steadily improved his control each year, but it's still fringe-average.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok has progressed but needs to show it will hold. He'll see Double-A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: A converted shortstop, the Braves liked Tarnok’s raw talent on the mound out of high school and have watched him slowly figure out the nuances of pitching during his first three years with the organization.

SCOUTING REPORT: After splitting time as a reliever and starter in 2018, Tarnok started the entire season BA GRADE 55 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 50 Risk: High this year, and progressed to high Class A Florida, where he’s focused on simplifying his delivery to improve his control and command. That improvement was borne out in the numbers, as Tarnok’s walk rate improved by almost two batters per nine from 2018 to 2019. Tarnok has an average fastball in the 92-94 mph range that touches 95, but he’s improved his secondaries this season. His changeup is among the better offerings in the system, and he throws that pitch with confidence to lefties and righties. He’s also worked to get more aggressive with a curveball this season after previously throwing a slider, though his breaking ball is still his third-best offering. Tarnok missed a month of the season with a lat injury, but his improvement while on the mound during his second full season was obvious in many respects.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok should push to Double-A Mississippi at some point in 2020, where he’ll work to improve his breaking ball and increase his chances of starting in the future, though a high-leverage reliever role is still a possibility.
TRACK RECORD: A converted shortstop, the Braves liked Tarnok's raw talent on the mound out of high school and have watched him slowly figure out the nuances of pitching during his first three years with the organization.

SCOUTING REPORT: After splitting time as a reliever and starter in 2018, Tarnok started the entire season this year, and progressed to high Class A Florida, where he's focused on simplifying his delivery to improve his control and command. That improvement was borne out in the numbers, as Tarnok's walk rate improved by almost two batters per nine from 2018 to 2019. Tarnok has an average fastball in the 92-94 mph range that touches 95, but he's improved his secondaries this season. His changeup is among the better offerings in the system, and he throws that pitch with confidence to lefties and righties. He's also worked to get more aggressive with a curveball this season after previously throwing a slider, though his breaking ball is still his third-best offering. Tarnok missed a month of the season with a lat injury, but his improvement while on the mound during his second full season was obvious in many respects.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok should push to Double-A Mississippi at some point in 2020, where he'll work to improve his breaking ball and increase his chances of starting in the future, though a high-leverage reliever role is still a possibility.

Career Transactions

RHP Freddy Tarnok assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
RHP Freddy Tarnok assigned to Jersey Shore BlueClaws from Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs activated RHP Freddy Tarnok from the 7-day injured list.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs sent RHP Freddy Tarnok on a rehab assignment to Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs placed RHP Freddy Tarnok on the 7-day injured list retroactive to July 7, 2024.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs activated RHP Freddy Tarnok.
Philadelphia Phillies optioned RHP Freddy Tarnok to Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Philadelphia Phillies claimed RHP Freddy Tarnok off waivers from Oakland Athletics.
Oakland Athletics sent RHP Freddy Tarnok on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics transferred RHP Freddy Tarnok from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Oakland Athletics placed RHP Freddy Tarnok on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. Right hip inflammation.
Oakland Athletics recalled RHP Freddy Tarnok from Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics recalled RHP Freddy Tarnok from Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics optioned RHP Freddy Tarnok to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics activated RHP Freddy Tarnok from the 60-day injured list.
Oakland Athletics optioned RHP Freddy Tarnok to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent RHP Freddy Tarnok on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent RHP Freddy Tarnok on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent RHP Freddy Tarnok on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent RHP Freddy Tarnok on a rehab assignment to ACL Athletics.
Oakland Athletics transferred RHP Freddy Tarnok from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Strained right shoulder.
Oakland Athletics placed RHP Freddy Tarnok on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 27, 2023. Strained right shoulder.