Thomas Robert Kahnle (/ˈknl/ KAYN-lee,[1] born August 7, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees selected Kahnle in the fifth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, and he made his major league debut in 2014.

Tommy Kahnle
Kahnle with the New York Yankees
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1989-08-07) August 7, 1989 (age 35)
Latham, New York, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 3, 2014, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record10–14
Earned run average3.47
Strikeouts452
Teams

Amateur career

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Kahnle played high school baseball at Shaker High School in Latham, New York, and college baseball at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. As member of the Fighting Knights, Kahnle won the 2009 Division II College World Series and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

In 2009, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and returned to the league in 2010, splitting his time between the Bourne Braves and the Brewster Whitecaps.[2][3][4]

Professional career

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Minor leagues (2010–2013)

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The New York Yankees selected Kahnle in the fifth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He made his professional debut for the Staten Island Yankees in 2010.[6] He appeared in 11 games and had a 0.56 earned run average and 25 strikeouts over 16 innings pitched. He played for the Charleston RiverDogs in 2011, recording a 4.22 ERA and 112 strikeouts over 81 innings. He spent the 2012 season between the Tampa Yankees and Trenton Thunder.[7] He had a 2.37 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 57 innings.

The Yankees invited Kahnle to spring training in 2013.[8][9] He was an Eastern League All-Star in 2013 and finished the season with a 2.85 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 60 innings.[10]

Colorado Rockies (2014–2015)

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The Colorado Rockies selected Kahnle from the Yankees in the 2013 Rule 5 Draft. He opened the 2014 season on the Rockies' Opening Day roster,[11] and made his major league debut on April 3. He would finish the season appearing in 54 games with a 4.19 ERA in 68-plus innings. The following season, Kahnle spent half the season in the minors, only appearing in 36 games for the Rockies while recording two saves. Kahnle was designated for assignment following the 2015 season.[12]

Chicago White Sox (2016–2017)

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The Rockies traded Kahnle to the Chicago White Sox for Yency Almonte on November 24, 2015.[13] In his first season with the White Sox, Kahnle had a 2.63 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 21 walks in 27+13 innings pitched. He started the 2017 season pitching to a 2.50 ERA with 60 strikeouts and seven walks in 36 innings.[14]

New York Yankees (2017–2020)

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On July 18, 2017, the White Sox traded Kahnle, Todd Frazier, and David Robertson to the New York Yankees for Blake Rutherford, Tyler Clippard, Ian Clarkin, and Tito Polo.[15] On August 24, 2017, Kahnle was ejected for the first time in his career after throwing a pitch behind Miguel Cabrera, leading up to Joe Girardi's ejection and an altercation between Austin Romine and Cabrera, triggering a bench-clearing brawl. On June 4, 2018, the Yankees optioned Kahnle to their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, as Adam Warren was activated from the 10-day disabled list. Kahnle was recalled from the RailRiders on August 16 and recorded his first save of the 2018 season on August 21 against the Miami Marlins, replacing Aroldis Chapman in the top of the 12th inning after Chapman was removed due to knee pain.

In 2018, Kahnle posted a 6.56 ERA in 24 games for the New York Yankees.[16]

In 2019, Kahnle was awarded the reliever of the month for the American League in the month of July 2019. He posted a 0.77 ERA in 12 games in July, striking out 17 batters while not surrendering a homer. He allowed just one run and five hits, walking two batters.[17]

On July 31, 2020, Kahnle had an MRI that revealed a damaged ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow.[18] He underwent Tommy John surgery the next week, which ended his 2020 season.[19] On October 31, 2020, Kahnle was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.[20]

Los Angeles Dodgers (2021–2022)

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On December 29, 2020, Kahnle signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[21] After missing the entire 2021 season while rehabbing his injuries, Kahnle made his Dodgers debut on May 1, 2022.[22] However, after pitching in four games, he went on the injured list with right forearm inflammation in May.[23] He didn't return until mid-September.[24] In 13 games, he pitched in 12+23 innings, allowing four runs on five hits (two home runs) for a 2.84 ERA.[25]

New York Yankees (2023–2024)

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On December 21, 2022, Kahnle signed a two-year contract to return to the New York Yankees.[26] Kahnle began the 2023 season on the injured list with biceps tendinitis, and was activated to make his season debut on June 1.[27] He had a 1–3 record with a 2.66 ERA and two saves in 42 games for the Yankees before he was shut down in September with shoulder inflammation.[28]

Kahnle began the 2024 season on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. He was activated on May 22.[29] Kahnle recorded a save in the 2024 ALCS.[30]

Personal life

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Kahnle and his wife, Veronica, a mental health counselor, married in 2016.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Player Spotlight: Tommy Kahnle". MLB.com. August 1, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  2. ^ "#10 Tommy Kahnle – Profile". pointstreak.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Thomas Kahnle". pointstreak.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "CCBL rookies making their mark in first half of MLB season". capecodbaseball.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. ^ "Former Shaker pitcher Tommy Kahnle taken by Yankees in MLB Draft". Northcolonie.org. June 9, 2010. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  6. ^ "Yankee prospect Tommy Kahnle ready to take next step in pro career". Troyrecord.com. December 12, 1913. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  7. ^ "Yankee Prospects Austin, Kahnle and Pinder Promoted to Trenton". mlb.com. September 2, 2012. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  8. ^ "Tommy Kahnle to pitch in elite company – Yankees training camp". Troyrecord.com. January 31, 2013. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  9. ^ "Kahnle solid in Yankees debut". Times Union. February 28, 2013. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  10. ^ Buynak, Matt (July 11, 2013). "Yankees' prospect Tommy Kahnle shining in system". Sportzedge.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  11. ^ Tymkovich, Jay (March 28, 2014). "Jordan Lyles optioned to minors, Franklin Morales takes over as 5th starter, and Tommy Kahnle to bullpen". Purple Row. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "Rockies designate Axford, Rosario for assignment". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 20, 2015. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  13. ^ Saunders, Patrick (November 24, 2015). "Tommy Kahnle traded by Rockies for White Sox's Yency Almonte – The Denver Post". Denverpost.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  14. ^ Skrbina, Paul (July 19, 2017). "White Sox send three players 'home' in deal with Yankees". chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  15. ^ "Yanks get Frazier, D-Rob, Kahnle from White Sox". Newsday. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  16. ^ "Tommy Kahnle Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  17. ^ Langs, Sarah (August 3, 2019). "Relievers of the Month: Kahnle, Lugo". mlb.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  18. ^ Hoch, Bryan (July 31, 2020). "Tommy Kahnle likely to have Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  19. ^ "Kahnle has Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  20. ^ Mark Polishuk (October 31, 2020). "Tommy Kahnle Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  21. ^ Simon, Andrew (December 29, 2020). "Kahnle, Dodgers agree to two-year deal". mlb.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  22. ^ Stephen, Eric (May 1, 2022). "Dodgers activate Tommy Kahnle from injured list". SB Nation. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  23. ^ Stephen, Eric (May 17, 2022). "Tommy Kahnle placed on injured list with right forearm inflammation". SB Nation. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  24. ^ Stephen, Eric (September 13, 2022). "Dodgers activate Tommy Kahnle from injured list after missing 4 months". SB Nation. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  25. ^ "Tommy Kahnle Statistics". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  26. ^ Hoch, Bryan (December 21, 2022). "Kahnle reunites with Yankees on 2-year deal". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Perry, Dayn (June 1, 2023). "Yankees injury updates: Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle return, boost Bombers". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  28. ^ "Yankees put reliever Kahnle on 15-day injured list". ESPN.com. September 25, 2023. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "Yanks reinstate Kahnle from IL to bolster bullpen". ESPN.com. May 22, 2024. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "'Huge for Tommy': Another changeup-only outing earns Kahnle Game 4 save". MLB.com.
  31. ^ Coffey, Alex (January 13, 2020). "How Veronica Kahnle's work as mental health counselor helps her husband, Yankee Tommy Kahnle, maintain perspective: 'I'm just getting an out'". The Athletic. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
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