5 Atlanta Braves who don’t deserve to make the 40-man roster

5) Why Michael Tonkin doesn’t deserve a spot on the Braves 40-man roster

Michael Tonkin is another pitcher the Braves are giving a shot this year. His minor league options have been used up so if he does ever get onto the 26-man roster the Braves will need to DFA him to ever clear the spot for somebody else.

Tonkin has played all over the world with stints in Japan, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. He pitched last year at Triple-A Gwinnett for Atlanta, posting a 3.17 ERA and saving 16 games. It’s understandable why the Braves are keeping him on the 40-man roster. The potential definitely seems to be there. But this does raise another question: why didn’t they ever give him a shot last season?

There were opportunities. If you aren’t going to use him, the roster spot should go to someone else.

The Braves may have their doubts about Tonkin. Still pitted behind many others on the depth chart, he’s a safe player to keep on the 40-man roster yet not deserving.

However, if there is one guy Braves fans are unfamiliar with and want to root for to overcome some odds, Tonkin is the player to latch onto. He last pitched in the majors back in 2017 with the Minnesota Twins. Now more worldly and on the precipice of making it back to the majors again, he’s an undeserving player on the 40-man roster we can hope earns his keep and cracks the 26-man roster and stays.