‘Tugboat’ Time: Giants Rookie Auditions for 2027 Rotation
Giants Call Up "Tugboat" Wilkinson for Series Against His Old Team
The San Francisco Giants are in Cleveland this week to play the Guardians, and they’ve brought a familiar face with them. Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson — a pitcher the Giants got from Cleveland just a few months ago — has been called up to the big leagues. He might even pitch against his former teammates!
Who Is Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson?
- Age: 23 years old
- Throws: Left-handed
- Size: 6-foot-1, 250 pounds (that’s a big, strong guy!)
- Nickname: "Tugboat" — he got it as a kid when a family friend watched him run the bases and thought he looked like a little tugboat chugging along
- Special Pitch: His fastball is nicknamed the "Invisi-ball" because it moves in a weird, hard-to-see way
- International Experience: He pitched for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic
The Trade That Brought Him Here
May 9, 2024: The Giants traded catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Wilkinson.
This was a "swap of prospects" — both players were young talents each team hoped would develop into stars. Now, just a few months later, Wilkinson is getting his first shot at the major leagues against the very team that traded him away.
How Has He Been Pitching? (The Numbers Made Simple)
Wilkinson has pitched at four different minor league levels this season. Here’s the simple breakdown:
| Stat | What It Means | His Number |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent Batting Average | How often hitters get a hit off him | .187 (very good — hitters struggle!) |
| ERA at Triple-A Sacramento | Runs allowed per 9 innings (lower is better) | 5.15 (looks high, but keep reading…) |
| Strikeouts at Sacramento | Batters he struck out | 43 |
| Walks at Sacramento | Batters he walked (free passes) | 17 |
| Career Minor League K/BB | Strikeouts vs. walks over 313⅔ innings | 390 K / 113 BB (excellent control!) |
The "Two Bad Games" Problem
That 5.15 ERA? Most of the damage came in just TWO bad starts where he gave up 12 runs total. Take those away, and his numbers look much better.
Recent Hot Streak
- 7 shutout innings at Tacoma earlier this month
- 9 strikeouts in that game
- Zero runs allowed
Why the Giants Are Excited About Him
The Giants are looking for starting pitchers who throw strikes — and Wilkinson fits the bill perfectly.
What He Does Well
- Throws strikes — Very few walks (only 17 in 10 Triple-A starts)
- Misses bats — 43 strikeouts in those same 10 starts
- Keeps hitters guessing — That "Invisi-ball" fastball is tough to square up
- Big-game experience — Pitched for Canada in the World Baseball Classic
The Giants’ Plan
San Francisco is auditioning pitchers for next year’s rotation. Wilkinson has six weeks to show he belongs. If he pitches well, he could earn a permanent spot in 2025.
Important Roster Moves to Know
Important Roster Details
- Wilkinson is not yet on the 40-man roster — the Giants must add him to make this call-up official
- He must be added to the 40-man roster this offseason or he’ll be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft (where other teams can steal him!)
- Catcher Daniel Susac might go on the 60-day Injured List to make room
Bonus: Another "Revenge Game" Coming Up
Wilkinson isn’t the only Giant facing his old team this week!
- Marcelo Mayer — Infielder acquired from the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline
- He’s expected to join the Giants just in time for their series at Fenway Park (Boston’s stadium) at the end of the week
- Two players, two former teams, one road trip — talk about drama!
Summary
- Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson, a 23-year-old lefty, has been called up by the Giants for their series in Cleveland.
- He was acquired from the Guardians on May 9 in a trade for Patrick Bailey.
- Despite a bloated 5.15 ERA at Triple-A, his peripherals are excellent: .187 opponent average, 43 K / 17 BB, and a recent 7-inning shutout with 9 Ks.
- The Giants love his strike-throwing ability and are evaluating him for next year’s rotation.
- He must be added to the 40-man roster to stay protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
- Fun facts: 6’1"/250 lbs, "Invisi-ball" fastball, Team Canada WBC alum, nickname from childhood base-running.
- Marcelo Mayer (ex-Red Sox) will also face his old team later this week in Boston.
FAQ
Why is he called "Tugboat"?
A family friend watched little Matt run the bases as a kid and said he looked like a tugboat chugging through the water. The name stuck!
What is the "Invisi-ball"?
It’s a nickname for Wilkinson’s fastball. Because of his unique arm angle and the ball’s movement, hitters have a hard time picking it up — it almost "disappears" for a split second.
What is the Rule 5 Draft?
It’s a special draft in December where teams can pick players not on a 40-man roster. If the Giants don’t add Wilkinson to their 40-man roster this offseason, another team could take him for a small fee — and he’d have to stay on their major league roster all next year.
Why did the Giants trade Patrick Bailey for him?
Bailey was a catcher prospect; Wilkinson was a pitching prospect. Teams often trade from positions of depth to fill positions of need. The Guardians needed catching; the Giants needed pitching.
When might Wilkinson pitch in Cleveland?
The article suggests Wednesday is the most likely day for his potential debut against his former team.