The Book on Chris Tillman

Graduated Prospect Info

Now that he's no longer rookie-eligible, The Book is closed on Chris Tillman as a prospect. This page remains as a historical record of his time in our prospect list.

Last bio and ranking update: 12/1/2008.

BALChris Tillman
Born 4/15/1988
RHP, BAL

Seattle's second round pick in the 2006 draft, Tillman was the Mariners' Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2007, when he rung up 139 strikeouts in 135 innings split between low-A Wisconsin and high-A High Desert. A tall, hard-thrower with a smooth, carbon-copy motion, Tillman complements a mid-90's fastball with a plus 12-to-6 curve that he uses as his out pitch.

He was traded to Baltimore as part of the 2008 package deal that sent Erik Bedard out west, and put up acceptable numbers in the Oriole system: In 28 starts for AA Bowie, Tillman was with a 11-4 with a 3.18 ERA, while maintaining a high (154) strikeout rate. Of course, he also walked far too many batters, and showed a bit of a propensity for meltdowns when things didn't break quite his way.

While his durability and work ethic remain question marks, Tillman's build and easy motion mean he still projects as at least a middle of rotation starter, though there is also bullpen potential in his easy heat.

Player Updates and Notes

Chris Tillman scuffled a bit in his first MLB start last night, surrendering seven hits and three runs to Kansas City without making it through the fifth inning. He performed well enough to earn a longer look, though, and if he can build on this debut, he could stick in the Orioles rotation for the rest of the year and into 2010.

7/29/2009 by KDaddy

With the release of Adam Eaton, Baltimore is evaluating both Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman as possible rotation candidates for the second half of the season. While Tillman seems closer to big-league ready, Arrieta wouldn't be a crazy choice, either. Stay tuned.

5/22/2009 by KDaddy

Chris Tillman broke into AAA exactly the same way he broke into AA last season: he dominated, no-hitting Charlotte for four innings while striking out five. Tillman is now unquestionably one of the top five starters left in the minors, and he might have a bigger upside than the others thanks to his strikeout skills. He turns 22 on Wednesday, and should get a crack at Baltimore's shaky rotation before the season is over.

4/14/2009 by DataBoy

With the slow-cooking Erik Bedard trade finally ready to serve, Tillman is on the move to Baltimore, as expected.

2/8/2008 by KDaddy

Tillman is expected to be part of an impending multi-player deal for the Oriole's Erik Bedard, according to numerous sources. If so, his short term value rises, as he'd slot higher in a thin Baltimore farm system than he does in Seattle.

1/28/2008 by KDaddy

 

 

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