Definition
Touki Toussaint is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Overview
Touki Toussaint (born December 28, 1996) is a right‑handed pitcher. He grew up in San Jose, California, and attended San Jose State University, where he played college baseball for the Spartans. After a standout junior season in 2017, he was selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. Toussaint signed with the Padres and began his professional career in their minor‑league system.
In July 2019, Toussaint was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for relief pitcher Taylor Clarke. He made his MLB debut with the Twins on May 12, 2021, against the Texas Rangers. During his time with Minnesota, Toussaint appeared both as a starter and a reliever, posting a fastball that regularly reaches the mid‑90s mph and a secondary slider. After the 2022 season, he became a free agent and subsequently signed a minor‑league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, where he continued to pitch at the Triple‑A level.
Etymology/Origin
The given name “Touki” is relatively uncommon in the United States and may be a variation of “Touka” or a nickname derived from his family background; however, specific etymological details about the name are not publicly documented. The surname “Toussaint” is of French origin, meaning “All Saints” (from the French “Toussaint” = All Saints’ Day). No further verified information about the personal significance of his name is available.
Characteristics
- Physical profile: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall; 215 lb (98 kg).
- Pitch repertoire: Primarily a fastball (mid‑90s mph), complemented by a slider, changeup, and occasional curveball.
- Playing style: Known for a compact, repeatable delivery and the ability to generate ground‑ball outs.
- Career statistics (MLB, up to the end of the 2023 season): Win–loss record 5‑5; Earned Run Average (ERA) 4.62; 78 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched.
- Injuries: Has experienced intermittent shoulder and elbow soreness, leading to periods on the injured list, but no major surgery has been reported as of the latest available data.
Related Topics
- Major League Baseball (MLB)
- Minnesota Twins
- Philadelphia Phillies (minor‑league affiliates)
- Baseball pitching mechanics
- 2017 MLB Draft
- San Jose State Spartans baseball program