Frederic Michael Tarnok Bio
Frederic Michael Tarnok (born November 24, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). The right-handed hurler has previously competed at the major league level with the Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, and Miami Marlins. Tarnok was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft and made his MLB debut with Atlanta in August 2022.
Early Life and Background
Frederic Michael Tarnok was born on November 24, 1998, and grew up in Florida. His parents are Jeff and Neung Tarnok. Through his mother, Tarnok is of Thai descent. He has two half brothers named Christopher and Nick.
Tarnok attended Riverview High School in Riverview, Florida, where he developed into a standout baseball player. During his senior year in 2017, Tarnok dominated on the mound, posting a 7-0 record with a 0.66 earned run average while also contributing at the plate with a .393 batting average.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his exceptional senior season at Riverview High School, Tarnok attracted attention from multiple college programs. He held a commitment to play baseball at the University of Tampa, a respected collegiate baseball program. However, his strong high school performance led to another opportunity that would change his trajectory.
The Atlanta Braves selected Tarnok in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. Faced with the choice between college baseball and professional baseball, Tarnok opted to sign with the Braves and begin his professional career immediately, forgoing his collegiate commitment.
Frederic Michael Tarnok Career
Minor League Development (2017–2021)
Tarnok began his professional career in 2017 with the Gulf Coast League Braves, a Rookie-level affiliate. In his debut season, he struggled to find his footing, going 0-3 with a 2.57 ERA across 14 innings pitched.
The 2018 season marked a significant breakthrough. Assigned to the Rome Braves of the Single-A South Atlantic League, Tarnok flourished. He was named an All-Star after going 5-5 with a 3.96 ERA over 27 appearances, 11 of which were starts. He recorded 83 strikeouts over 77 and one-third innings, showcasing the form that would define his early career.
Injury interrupted his 2019 campaign with the Florida Fire Frogs of the High-A Florida State League. Despite missing time, Tarnok still managed to make 19 starts, compiling a 3-7 record with a 4.87 ERA. The 2020 season was lost entirely when the minor league schedule was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tarnok returned in 2021, beginning the season on the injured list during his rehabilitation. He made his season debut in mid-June with Rome, now competing in the High-A East league. After 28 and one-third innings with Rome, he earned a promotion to the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A South in mid-July. Between the two teams, Tarnok went a combined 6-4 with a 3.44 ERA and 109 strikeouts over 73 and one-third innings.
Atlanta Braves Breakthrough (2022)
On November 18, 2021, the Atlanta Braves selected Tarnok’s contract and added him to the 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. He opened the 2022 season with Mississippi and earned another promotion in early July, moving up to the Gwinnett Stripers of the Triple-A International League.
On August 16, 2022, Tarnok received the call to the majors. He made his MLB debut the following day, pitching from the bullpen. Tarnok recorded two-thirds of an inning with no hits, no walks, and recorded his first career strikeout against Tyler Naquin of the New York Mets. He appeared in multiple games for Atlanta during his time with the club.
Oakland Athletics (2023)
On December 12, 2022, Tarnok was involved in a significant roster movement. The Oakland Athletics acquired him from the Braves as part of a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. Atlanta obtained catcher Sean Murphy in that deal.
Tarnok’s 2023 season was derailed by injury. On April 13, 2023, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. He did not return until July 8, when he was activated and optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. He was recalled to the majors on July 14. In five MLB appearances with Oakland, Tarnok posted a 4.91 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 14 and two-thirds innings. The season ended prematurely when he underwent surgery on August 31 to repair the labrum and cartilage in his right hip.
Philadelphia Phillies (2024)
Tarnok began the 2024 season with Las Vegas but was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies on June 1. He made two scoreless appearances for the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws before advancing to Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. With Lehigh Valley, he went 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 21 and one-third innings. On November 4, Tarnok was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Lehigh Valley. He rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Miami Marlins (2025)
On December 29, 2024, Tarnok signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He reported to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, where he performed well with a 2-2 record, 4.79 ERA, and 44 strikeouts over 41 and one-third innings in 12 appearances.
The Marlins selected Tarnok’s contract on June 15, 2025, adding him to their active roster. In five appearances with Miami, he recorded a 1-0 record, 2.45 ERA, and 10 strikeouts while recording one save across seven and one-third innings. The season concluded with Jacksonville winning the Triple-A National Championship against Las Vegas.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Era (2026–Present)
On November 22, 2025, Tarnok signed a one-year contract worth $1.5 million with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. He joined the storied Japanese franchise as they sought to strengthen their pitching staff for the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a right-handed pitcher, Tarnok has demonstrated the ability to work effectively both as a starter and from the bullpen. His minor league track record shows consistent strikeout ability, with particularly strong numbers during his 2018 and 2021 campaigns. His versatility has allowed him to transition smoothly between levels and roles throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tarnok’s career has been marked by several significant moments. His MLB debut on August 17, 2022, represented the culmination of years of minor league development. The 2021 season proved to be his strongest minor league year, as he combined for 109 strikeouts across two levels. His contribution to Jacksonville’s Triple-A National Championship victory in 2025 added a championship to his professional resume before his move to Japan.
Frederic Michael Tarnok Career Wins
Across his professional career spanning MLB and the minor leagues, Tarnok has accumulated a record of victories at multiple levels. His MLB career includes appearances with Atlanta, Oakland, and Miami, while his minor league history encompasses Rookie-level, Single-A, High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A competition.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through the 2025 MLB season, Tarnok has compiled a 2-1 win-loss record with a 3.97 earned run average and 25 strikeouts across his major league appearances. His most extended MLB stint came with Miami in 2025, where he recorded his first career save while posting a 2.45 ERA in limited action.
Minor League and International Highlights
Tarnok’s minor league career includes a 2018 All-Star selection with Rome and multiple 100-strikeout seasons. His most recent international statistics with Hiroshima Toyo Carp show a 0-2 record with a 3.27 ERA and 33 strikeouts through early May 2026. He contributed to Jacksonville’s Triple-A National Championship in 2025.
| League | Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (through 2025) | 2-1 | 3.97 | 25 |
| NPB (through May 2, 2026) | 0-2 | 3.27 | 33 |
Frederic Michael Tarnok Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Frederic Michael Tarnok was born to Jeff and Neung Tarnok. Through his mother, Tarnok has Thai heritage, making him part of the notable Thai-American athletic community. He grew up alongside his two half brothers, Christopher and Nick.
Personal Life
Tarnok has maintained connections to his Thai heritage through his mother’s side of the family. His athletic career has taken him across multiple organizations and countries, from his Florida roots through MLB stops in Atlanta, Oakland, and Miami, to his current position in Japan with Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a resurgence for Tarnok after injury-plagued previous years. Beginning the year in the minors with Jacksonville, he demonstrated enough consistency to earn a major league recall in mid-June. His brief stint with Miami was highly effective, as he posted a sub-3.00 ERA while recording his first career save and logging his first major league win.
The season concluded on a high note with Jacksonville’s Triple-A National Championship victory. That championship experience provided Tarnok with valuable postseason-style pressure situations before his transition to NPB. His ability to perform at multiple levels throughout the season demonstrated the health and effectiveness he had regained following his 2023 hip surgery.
Looking ahead, Tarnok’s move to Hiroshima Toyo Carp marks a new chapter in his professional career. The one-year, $1.5 million contract reflects the organization’s confidence in his abilities. His experience across multiple MLB organizations and his demonstrated adaptability to different roles and levels position him well for the challenges of Nippon Professional Baseball.