Tillman was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent his first professional campaign split between the rookie-level Arizona League Mariners and the Low-A Everett AquaSox. In 10 games (5 starts) between the two teams,he pitched to a 3-3 record and 5.28 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched. In 2007,Tillman split the season between the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the High-A High Desert Mavericks,pitching to a cumulative 7-11 record and 4.84 ERA with 139 strikeouts in 135.2 innings pitched across 28 starts.[3]
On July 29,2009,the Orioles selected Tillman's contract from Norfolk,and he would make his major league debut against the Kansas City Royals.[6] He pitched 42⁄3 innings, allowing three runs on three solo home runs. The Orioles ended up winning 7–3, leaving Tillman with a no decision.[7] Tillman's best start of his rookie campaign came on September 16 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In a tough-luck no decision, Tillman tossed 62⁄3 of one-run ball, while only allowing five hits.
Tillman finished the year, making 12 starts and posting a 2–5 record with a 5.40 ERA.
On March 30, the Orioles sent Tillman to the Norfolk Tides. On April 28, 2010, Tillman threw a no-hitter at the Gwinnett Braves as the Triple-A Norfolk Tides won the game 6–0. This no-hitter was the first for the Tides since 1992.
On October 1, Tillman struck out a career-high seven batters against the Detroit Tigers. Tillman was optioned between the majors throughout 2010 and Tillman started for the O's during the 2010 campaign. He once again posted a 2–5 record with a 5.87 ERA in 11 starts.
On April 2, 2011, Tillman carried a no-hitter through six innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Orioles second game of the season. He was lifted by manager Buck Showalter after the sixth inning, however, as Tillman's pitch count was already up to 101 pitches. The team no-hitter was lost the following inning by Jeremy Accardo but the Orioles did go on to win 3–1. The Orioles did not score their runs until the 8th inning, giving Tillman a no-decision.
Despite this good start, Tillman's inconsistency and struggle to get opposing batters out led to him making only 13 starts for the Orioles. He struggled with a 3–5 record and 5.52 ERA, and allowed opposing batters to hit .301 off of him.
On March 31, 2012, the Orioles decided to option Tillman to the Tides rather than include him on their starting rotation. He posted an 8–8 record with the Tides in 16 games, pitching to a 3.63 ERA with 30 walks and 92 strikeouts. Tillman made his return to the Orioles on July 4, 2012, allowing only 2 hits over 81⁄3 innings against the Mariners and recording his first major league win of the season.[8] Tillman had his breakout half and went on to make 15 starts, posting a 9–3 record with a 2.93 ERA in 86 innings. He was able to hold hitters to a .207 average and he had a 1.05 WHIP.
The 2013 season was a breakout one for Tillman. He assumed the role of ace of the rotation and compiled the most wins of any pitcher on the staff. Although he did not get the call to pitch, Tillman was selected to his first All Star Game, by American League manager Jim Leyland, after Justin Verlander decided not to go. On August 29, Tillman became the first Oriole pitcher since Erik Bedard in 2006 to record 15 victories in a single season, winning against the Boston Red Sox, pitching 7 innings, allowing two runs, no walks and striking out 8.[9] On September 9, Tillman recorded his 16th win, going into the 8th inning against the New York Yankees, allowing 2 runs (both solo home runs), 4 hits and no walks, while striking out 9. Tillman ended the season with 16 wins, the most of any Orioles pitcher since Mike Mussina had 18 in 1999. He pitched 2061⁄3 innings, struck out 179 batters and had a final ERA of 3.71.[10]
On March 17, 2014, manager Buck Showalter announced that Tillman would be the Orioles' Opening Day starter, for the first time in his career, on March 31, against the Boston Red Sox.[11] He received a no-decision, going 5 innings, allowing one run, and striking out 4. On April 6, Tillman earned his first win of 2014, going 81⁄3 innings against the Detroit Tigers, allowing one run and striking out 5. On May 17, Tillman pitched his first career complete-game shutout, against the Kansas City Royals. Tillman made his first career postseason start during Game 1 of the American League Division Series, against the Detroit Tigers. He was the winning pitcher, going 5 innings, allowing 2 runs, and striking out 6, as the Orioles defeated the Tigers 12–3. The Orioles would eventually get swept in the 2014 American League Championship Series. Tillman finished the season with a career-high 34 starts, 2071⁄3 innings pitched, and a 13–6 record. His 15 no decisions were the most among MLB starting pitchers in 2014.[12] He recorded a 3.34 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while striking out 150 batters.
On May 7, 2015, Tillman surrendered a home run to Alex Rodriguez, which moved Rodriguez into sole possession of fourth place on the all time home run list, surpassing Willie Mays.[13] After struggling greatly in the first half of the season, Tillman started off the second half of the year with one of the most dominant starts of his career, going eight innings, allowing only one hit and no runs, including retiring the last 23 batters he faced, against the Detroit Tigers.[14] In addition, it was Tillman's fourth career outing in which he had allowed one or fewer hits over the course of six-plus innings. In his very next start, he pitched 7.0-plus innings and didn't give up a run until the seventh inning, ending his career-high 16-inning scoreless streak. In his third post-All-Star start, Tillman continued his dominance with a no-run, four hit, 82⁄3 inning performance. His season ERA was lowered to 4.35 (it had been 5.40 going into the second half). However, Tillman struggled through the rest of the season, as he finished 11–11 in 31 starts with a 4.99 ERA. The Orioles finished 81–81 and missed out on the postseason.
Tillman was named the Orioles Opening Day starter for the third consecutive year in 2016. Due to two separate rain delays, Tillman was able to throw only two complete innings. However, he struck out the final five batters he faced, and the Orioles went on to win in the bottom of the ninth 3–2, giving them their sixth consecutive Opening Day victory under manager Buck Showalter. Tillman pitched to a 2–1 and 3.24 ERA in the month of April and seemed to have his consistency, which he lacked in 2015, back. In May, Tillman went 5–0 in six starts, pitching to a 2.72 ERA in 392⁄3 with 37 strikeouts. In addition, he held opponents to a .197 batting average. On June 8, Tillman pitched his best game of the year, going 71⁄3 shutout innings, walking no batters, and tied a career-high with nine strikeouts. It was Tillman's 3rd game on the year with nine strikeouts, and his fourth start pitching at least seven innings.
At the All-Star break, Tillman had compiled a 12–2 record with a 3.41 ERA in 1131⁄3 innings, while striking out 98 batters.
On July 21, after tossing seven innings of one-run ball to snap a four-game losing streak for the O's, Tillman recorded his 14th win of the season. He became the first Oriole pitcher since 2003 to win 14 decisions in their first 21 starts. The O's improved to 18–3 when Tillman was pitching.
After battling injuries late in the season, which included a DL stint, Tillman's season ended, having greatly improved on his disappointing 2015 campaign. He compiled a 16–6 record in 30 starts with a 3.77 ERA in 172 innings pitched in 2016. He struck out 140 batters with a 1.29 WHIP, while allowing a career-low 19 home runs.
On October 3, Tillman was named the starting pitcher for the Orioles Wild Card game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Tillman tossed 42⁄3 innings, allowing just four hits and a walk, along with two runs, while striking out four batters. Tillman left the game with runners on the corners, and teammate Mychal Givens came in and induced a double play. The Orioles would go on to lose 5–2 in 11 innings.
After starting the first month of the season on the DL due to a shoulder injury, Tillman made his season debut against the Chicago White Sox on May 7. He tossed five scoreless innings and earned his first victory of the year as the Orioles would win 4–0. The win was Tillman's 73rd career victory, tying him with Sidney Ponson and Lefty Stewart for 20th in franchise history. For the season, Tillman endured his worst season in his career, as he was mostly ineffective and injured throughout. He finished 1–7 with a career worst 7.84 ERA in 24 games, 19 starts.
On February 19, 2018, Tillman and the Orioles signed a one-year contract for $3 million.[15] After struggling through his first four starts, Tillman pitched seven one-hit, shutout innings against the Tigers to earn his first win in 27 appearances dating back to May 2017. He moved in to 20th place on the Orioles All-time win list. On July 20, 2018, he was designated for assignment.[16] Tillman elected free agency on July 25, 2018.
Texas Rangers
On August 2, 2018, Tillman signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers.[17] He made four appearances for the Triple-A Round Rock Express to finish the year, struggling to a 9.00 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 9 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.[18]
Tillman did not play in a game in 2019, taking the season off after having surgery to clean up the labrum in his right shoulder in June.[19]
Comeback attempts
On December 27, 2019, it was announced that Tillman was attempting a comeback and was planning to throw for teams in Spring Training for the 2020 season.[20]
On May 12, 2021, Tillman announced he was making another comeback attempt. He had been working with his former pitching coach in Baltimore, Dave Wallace at Cressey Sports Performance since February.[21]
On January 9, 2023, it was announced that Tillman would be attempting another comeback after recovering from shoulder surgery.[22] Baseball reference sites do not list any professional appearances by Tillman after 2018.
Pitching style
Tillman threw four pitches: a four seam fastball at 91–95mph (146–153km/h), occasionally touching 96mph (154km/h), a cutter at 83–87mph (134–140km/h), a curveball at 75–78mph (121–126km/h) that reached 80mph (130km/h) during the first month of his career, and a changeup, thrown mostly to lefties, at 78–84mph (126–135km/h).[23] The curveball and changeup were Tillman's "out pitches".
Personal life
Tillman married girlfriend Christina Hellman in November 2014 in Tampa, Florida. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in July 2017.[24]
Miguel Ángel Cuellar Santana was a Cuban professional baseball player. He played for 15 seasons in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher in 1959 and from 1964 through 1977, most prominently as a member of the Baltimore Orioles who won the American League (AL) pennant in each of Cuellar's first three seasons with the team. During that time, Cuellar and the Orioles won the 1970 World Series. Cuellar also played for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros and California Angels.
José Dennis Martínez Ortiz, nicknamed "El Presidente", is a Nicaraguan former professional baseball pitcher. Martínez played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Atlanta Braves from 1976 to 1998. He threw a perfect game in 1991, and was a four-time MLB All-Star. He was the first Nicaraguan to play in the majors.
Michael Cole Mussina, nicknamed "Moose", is an American former baseball starting pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles (1991–2000) and the New York Yankees (2001–2008). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his sixth year of eligibility in 2019.
Allan Fulton Worthington, nicknamed "Red", is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of 14 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York / San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox (1960), Chicago White Sox (1960), Cincinnati Reds (1963–64) and Minnesota Twins (1965–69). Worthington batted and threw right-handed.
David Arthur McNally was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from 1962 through 1975, most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won four American League pennants and two World Series championships between 1966 and 1971. A three-time All-Star, McNally won 20 or more games for four consecutive seasons from 1968 through 1971. He was one of four 20-game winners for the 1971 Orioles, currently the last team as of 2023 to have four 20-win pitchers on the same roster.
Thomas Gerald Underwood was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. His younger brother, Pat was also a pitcher, and made his major league debut against Tom. It was the first time in major league history this had occurred.
Michael Kendall Flanagan was an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher, front office executive, and color commentator. He spent 18 years as a player in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays (1987–1990).
Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets. A three-time Cy Young Award winner and as well as an AL MVP recipient, Verlander is considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
Ubaldo Jiménez García is a Dominican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. Jiménez was an MLB All-Star in 2010. That year, he pitched the first no-hitter in Rockies' franchise history.
Thomas Edgar Cheney was an American Major League Baseball player. Cheney, a right-handed pitcher from Morgan, Georgia, played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Senators in a span of eight seasons from 1957 to 1966.
Andrew Mark Miller is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a starting pitcher who struggled early in his MLB career, Miller found sustained success as a reliever utilizing a multi-faceted fastball and slider approach that proved deceptive for batters to hit. A left-handed batter and thrower, Miller stands 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg).
Yovani Gallardo is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft out of Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds. Gallardo was an All-Star in 2010, and won the Silver Slugger Award for pitchers that year.
Maxwell Martin Scherzer, nicknamed "Mad Max", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. A right-handed starting pitcher, Scherzer is an eight-time MLB All-Star, has won three Cy Young Awards, has pitched two no-hitters, and won the World Series with the Nationals in 2019, and the Texas Rangers in 2023. Known for his intensity and competitiveness on the field, he is considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
Johnny Cueto Ortiz is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins.
Jacob Joseph Arrieta is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres.
Christopher Allen Sale is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. He bats and throws left-handed and is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall.
Dylan Matthew Bundy is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins.
Kevin John Gausman, nicknamed "Gaus", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. Before his professional career, Gausman attended Louisiana State University (LSU) and played college baseball for the LSU Tigers, with whom he was an All-American. The Orioles selected him in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2013. He was an All-Star in 2021 and 2023.
Eduardo José Rodríguez Hernández, nicknamed "E-Rod", is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.
Dean Junior Kremer is an Israeli–American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). In 2015, he became the first Israeli drafted by an MLB team. He made his MLB debut in September 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
