# Freddy Tarnok

Frederic Michael Tarnok (born November 24, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Miami Marlins organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics. He was selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut for them in 2022.

## Amateur career

Tarnok attended Riverview High School in Riverview, Florida, where he played baseball. In 2017, his senior year, he went 7–0 with a 0.66 ERA while also batting .393. Following his senior season, he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Braves, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at the University of Tampa.

## Professional career
### Atlanta Braves

Tarnok made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves, going 0–3 with a 2.57 ERA over 14 innings. In 2018, he pitched with the Rome Braves of the Single–A South Atlantic League, with whom he was named an All-Star. Over 27 games (11 starts), Tarnok went 5–5 with a 3.96 ERA, striking out 83 batters over 77+1⁄3 innings. Tarnok missed time during the 2019 season 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 play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tarnok missed the beginning of the 2021 season while rehabbing and made his first appearance in mid-June for Rome, now members of the High-A East. After 28+1⁄3 innings pitched with Rome, he was promoted to the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A South in mid-July with whom he finished the year. Over 16 games (14 starts) between the two teams, Tarnok went 6–4 with a 3.44 ERA and 109 strikeouts over 73+1⁄3 innings.
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 begin the 2022 season. In early July, he was promoted to the Gwinnett Stripers of the Triple-A International League. On August 16, 2022, Tarnok was called up to the majors. He made his MLB debut on August 17 from the bullpen. He pitched two-thirds of an inning with no hits or walks and his first career strikeout against Tyler Naquin.

### Oakland Athletics

On December 12, 2022, the Oakland Athletics acquired Tarnok from the Braves in a three-team trade in which the Atlanta Braves acquired Sean Murphy, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired William Contreras, Joel Payamps, and Justin Yeager, and the Athletics also acquired Manny Piña, Kyle Muller, Esteury Ruiz, and Royber Salinas. On April 13, 2023, Tarnok was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. He was activated from the injured list on July 8 and subsequently optioned to the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators. He was recalled to the active roster on July 14. In 5 appearances for Oakland, he logged a 4.91 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 31, Tarnok underwent season–ending surgery to repair the labrum and cartilage in his right hip.
Tarnok began the 2024 season in Triple–A Las Vegas, recording a 13.50 ERA with 6 strikeouts across 6 appearances.

### Philadelphia Phillies

On June 1, 2024, Tarnok was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies. After two scoreless appearances for the High–A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, he worked to an 0–3 record and 6.33 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 21+1⁄3 innings pitched with the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. On November 4, Tarnok was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Lehigh Valley; he subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.

### Miami Marlins

On December 29, 2024, Tarnok signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.

## Personal life

Tarnok's parents are Jeff and Neung. He has a brother, Christopher, and a half-brother, Nick. Through his mother, Tarnok is of Thai descent.