Braves prospect Touki Toussaint was about to watch Kolby Allard throw a bullpen Thursday afternoon when his manager called him in for a meeting.
Toussaint, who was preparing for his sixth start with Triple-A Gwinnett, was surprised when manager Damon Berryhill informed him he wouldn’t be making his Friday outing. Toussaint was scratched because he was ticketed for the big leagues.
“Are you serious?” he asked Berryhill. Toussaint called his mother to relay the news. She had been battling a cold, but suddenly regained her voice, yelling in jubilation.
That debut became a reality Monday afternoon, with his mother and family on hand. Toussaint pitched six innings, allowing just one run in a 9-1 win over the Marlins. It was a game likely resembling his Triple-A experience: SunTrust Park was lightly filled, and the last-place Marlins fielded a lineup comprised of few household names.
“It was surreal going out there,” he said. “I was just trying to go out there and compete. No expectations and give the team a chance to win.”
Toussaint illustrated charisma and personality, no different than his energetic young teammates Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies. He was having fun and looked comfortable doing so – a recurring theme with the ahead-of-schedule Braves.
It was easy for Toussaint to feel relaxed. Catchers Kurt Suzuki and Tyler Flowers were offering advice throughout the afternoon. It didn’t hurt seeing familiar faces either.
“Just growing up around the guys, being able to see them daily,” Toussaint said. “Acuna, Albies, (Max) Fried, Allard, (Sean) Newcomb; it just felt like, ‘Alright. You’re just out there. Just play ball.’”
After a quick first inning, Toussaint ran into trouble in the second. Three-straight Marlins reached and Isaac Galloway’s double knotted the game at one.
“In my career, I’ve been in that situation a lot,” Toussaint said. “So it was just, ‘Alright, you’ve been here before. Just execute your pitches.’”
He retired the next three with a lineout and two strikeouts. He set down 12 of the next 14, with All-Star J.T. Realmuto reaching on a hit-by-pitch and walk.
The three-pitch repertoire was as advertised: Toussaint’s curveball was eye-popping at times. His changeup resembled a splitter, but he’s always known it as the former. His fastball sat in the low-to-mid 90s, topping at 96 mph.
“He wasn’t rushing, he was getting himself together and taking it a pitch at a time,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker, who indicated Toussaint will be a strong candidate to make another start this month. “It was impressive. … He can throw (the curveball) for strikes. He’s got a feel for what he’s doing.”
It’s been a drastic jump for Toussaint. He began 2017 in High-A Florida, where he owned an ERA over 5.00 and struggled with his command. His improved fastball control, alongside the maturing changeup that confused several Marlins, vaulted him through a deep system.
Toussaint finished after 82 pitches, allowing only two hits and striking out four against two walks. He joined Allard as a rookie Braves who defeated the Marlins to begin a major-league career.
“He kept us off balance,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “I thought we chased a little bit out of the zone. … Breaking ball in is really the one to hit. He doesn’t really get the ball to the left side of the plate. He’s a guy you’ve got to see and limit the plate. Just cover one side with him really. First time seeing him gave us a little trouble.”
The Braves have their five-man rotation, but they plan to sprinkle in other starters to give their main unit additional rest. Toussaint earned the opportunity for another look. He’ll be optioned back to Gwinnett because he was the 26th man for Monday’s doubleheader, but he could return in 10 days – coincidentally, when the Braves are in Miami.
“It’s not my choice. It’s not my decision,” Toussaint said of making another start. “I’m just going to keep competing and whenever they call my name, be ready.”
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