Freddy Tarnok Bio
Frederic Michael Tarnok (born November 24, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, and Miami Marlins. Tarnok works as a right-handed pitcher and has built his career on a power arm developed through the Atlanta Braves farm system.
He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2017 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the organization in 2022. After stints in the majors and minors with several organizations, Tarnok moved to Japan in late 2025, signing with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp to continue his career in NPB.
Early Life and Background
Frederic Michael Tarnok was born on November 24, 1998, to parents Jeff and Neung. Through his mother, Tarnok is of Thai descent, giving him a multicultural family background. He grew up alongside two half brothers, Christopher and Nick, in a household that supported his early interest in athletics.
Tarnok attended Riverview High School in Riverview, Florida, where he played baseball and quickly emerged as a standout pitcher. In his senior year in 2017, he went 7–0 with a 0.66 earned run average (ERA) while also batting .393, drawing national attention from professional scouts. His performance that season established him as one of the top high school arms in his region.
Following his senior season, Tarnok was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Braves and chose to forgo his commitment to play college baseball at the University of Tampa, launching his professional career at the age of 18.
Path to Professional Baseball
After signing with Atlanta, Tarnok began his climb through the minor leagues. He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves, going 0–3 with a 2.57 ERA over 14 innings. The assignment gave him his first taste of professional competition and allowed the Braves to evaluate his development plan.
In 2018, Tarnok pitched for the Rome Braves of the Single-A South Atlantic League and was named an All-Star. Over 27 games and 11 starts, he went 5–5 with a 3.96 ERA, striking out 83 batters across 77 and one-third innings. The All-Star recognition signaled his growing status within the organization.
Tarnok missed time in 2019 due to injury but still started 19 games for the Florida Fire Frogs of the High-A Florida State League, pitching to a 3–7 record with a 4.87 ERA. He did not appear in a game in 2020 because the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a delay that affected prospects throughout the sport.
Freddy Tarnok Career
Atlanta Braves System (2017–2022)
Tarnok spent his first five professional seasons within the Atlanta Braves organization, progressing steadily through the minor leagues. He began 2021 in rehabilitation before joining Rome, then a member of the High-A East, and was promoted in mid-July to the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A South. Across both levels, he went 6–4 with a 3.44 ERA and 109 strikeouts over 73 and one-third innings in 16 games and 14 starts.
On November 18, 2021, the Braves selected Tarnok’s contract and added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He returned to Mississippi to start 2022 and was promoted in early July to the Gwinnett Stripers of the Triple-A International League. On August 16, 2022, he was called up to the majors, and on August 17, he made his MLB debut from the bullpen, pitching two-thirds of an inning with no hits or walks and recording his first career strikeout against Tyler Naquin.
Oakland Athletics (2022–2024)
On December 12, 2022, the Oakland Athletics acquired Tarnok from the Braves in a three-team trade that sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta and William Contreras, Joel Payamps, and Justin Yeager to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Athletics also received Manny Piña, Kyle Muller, Esteury Ruiz, and Royber Salinas in the deal. Tarnok’s transition to Oakland marked the start of a difficult stretch marked by injuries.
On April 13, 2023, Tarnok was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. He was activated on July 8 and optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators before being recalled on July 14. In five appearances for Oakland, he logged a 4.91 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14 and two-thirds innings. On August 31, he underwent season-ending surgery to repair the labrum and cartilage in his right hip, sidelining him for the rest of the year.
Tarnok began the 2024 season in Triple-A Las Vegas, recording a 13.50 ERA with six strikeouts across six appearances. On June 1, 2024, he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies. After two scoreless appearances for the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, he went 0–3 with a 6.33 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 21 and one-third innings for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. On November 4, he was removed from Philadelphia’s 40-man roster, sent outright to Lehigh Valley, rejected the assignment, and elected free agency.
Miami Marlins (2024–2025)
On December 29, 2024, Tarnok signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins, looking to rebuild his career in a new organization. In 12 appearances for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he posted a 2–2 record and 4.79 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 41 and one-third innings pitched, showing encouraging form.
On June 15, 2025, the Marlins selected Tarnok’s contract, adding him to their active roster. In five appearances for Miami, he posted a 1–0 record and 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts and one save across 7 and one-third innings pitched. Tarnok finished the season with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, helping the club win the Triple-A National Championship against the Las Vegas Aviators. On November 5, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Jacksonville, electing free agency the following day.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Era (2025–Present)
On November 22, 2025, Tarnok signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball, beginning a new chapter overseas. The move gave him a chance to pitch in a top international league and further develop his craft away from the major leagues. He was assigned uniform number 42 with Hiroshima.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tarnok is a right-handed pitcher whose strengths have historically centered on a power fastball and the ability to generate swings and misses. His best stretch came late in 2022 and again with the Miami Marlins in 2025, when he produced low ERAs in short major league stints. Health has been the biggest variable in his development, and his strongest performances have come when his arm and lower body have stayed sound.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tarnok’s most significant career milestone came on August 17, 2022, when he made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves and recorded his first career strikeout against Tyler Naquin. He later helped the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp win the 2025 Triple-A National Championship and capped the year by signing a $1.5 million contract with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, his first move to international baseball.
Freddy Tarnok Career Wins and Performances
Across his professional career, Tarnok has compiled a body of work that includes major league appearances, minor league success, and a Triple-A National Championship. His major league statistics through the 2025 season include a 2–1 win–loss record, a 3.97 ERA, and 25 strikeouts. In NPB, he has begun the 2026 season with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, posting a 3.27 ERA with 33 strikeouts in his early appearances.
Minor League Highlights
Tarnok has spent the bulk of his career in the minor leagues, where he has been named a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2018 and a Triple-A National Championship contributor in 2025. His most recent minor league stop was with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, where he recorded a 2–2 record and 4.79 ERA across 12 appearances in 2025 before earning another major league call-up with Miami.
Other Performances
Beyond his major league stints, Tarnok has posted strong strikeout totals in the minors, including 109 strikeouts across 73 and one-third innings between Rome and Mississippi in 2021. He also recorded 44 strikeouts in 41 and one-third innings for Jacksonville in 2025, reinforcing his reputation as a power pitcher even when results have been inconsistent.
Freddy Tarnok Family
Family Background and Heritage
Tarnok was raised by his father, Jeff, and his mother, Neung. Through his mother, he is of Thai descent, and he grew up alongside two half brothers, Christopher and Nick. His multicultural background has been part of his identity throughout his athletic journey.
Personal Life
Tarnok keeps his personal life largely private, and details about a spouse or children are not publicly available. He has remained focused on his baseball career, moving between organizations in the United States before taking his talents to Japan with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2025.
2025 Season Performance
Tarnok’s 2025 season began with a minor league contract signed with the Miami Marlins on December 29, 2024. After posting a 2–2 record and 4.79 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 12 appearances for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he was promoted to the majors on June 15, 2025. In five appearances for Miami, he went 1–0 with a 2.45 ERA, 10 strikeouts, and one save across 7 and one-third innings, providing the Marlins with effective relief work.
After being removed from Miami’s 40-man roster in November, Tarnok elected free agency and quickly found a new opportunity abroad. His decision to sign with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp reflected both a financial upgrade and a chance to compete in NPB. The transition positioned him to build on the strong 2025 major league numbers he posted in Miami.
Heading into 2026, Tarnok carries momentum from his late-season success with the Marlins and a Triple-A National Championship ring. His one-year deal with Hiroshima gives him a platform to prove he can handle a high level of international competition, and his early NPB results, including a 3.27 ERA and 33 strikeouts, suggest a smooth transition to a new league and a promising outlook for the year ahead.