Who is "Tugboat" Wilkinson? Giants call up pitcher with fun nickname

In May, the San Francisco Giants made an interesting trade, sending veteran backstop and defensive mastermind Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians. Bailey is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, but his lack of offensive production left some fans frustrated while younger players like Jesus Rodriguez and Daniel Susac waited in the wings.

Other fans weren’t sold on the trade though, believing Bailey’s defensive prowess and clutch factor made him a valuable asset. To only get one prospect and a draft pick in return seemed too little.

Well this week, fans should get to see part of what they got for Bailey.

On Monday, Aug. 17, the Giants called up left-handed pitcher Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson from the minors, the prospect they acquired in the trade. Ironically, it’s just in time for the Giants to face the Guardians in a three-game series between Tuesday, Aug. 18 and Thursday, Aug. 20.

Here’s what to know about the latest member of the team.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani looks on before delivering a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on June 24, 2026. Shohei Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2018 after a damaged elbow ligament cut short his rookie pitching season with the Angels. He had a second surgery on his elbow after the 2023 season that was similar. The two-way star returned to excel both at the plate and on the mound, cementing his place as one of baseball’s most unique and accomplished players.

Matt Wilkinson is a former 10th-round draft pick out of Central Arizona College. The 23-year-old starter dominated Double-A this year between his time with the Giants and Guardians’ affiliates, totaling 43.1 innings with a 1.87 ERA all while striking out 10.2 hitters per nine innings.

He struggled to maintain that level of success with the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, though. The southpaw pitched 43.2 innings in Triple-A, recording a 5.15 ERA and striking out just 8.9 hitters per nine innings. He also surrendered seven home runs in those 43.2 innings, compared to just two in his prior 43.1 innings of work at Double-A.

Wilkinson does not boast overpowering stuff. His fastball has averaged 89.9 mph during his time in Triple-A, and he mostly relies on a three-pitch mix of his fastball, slider and changeup, though he also has a cutter in his arsenal that he rarely uses.

The pitch he’s most well-known for is his “Invisi-ball.” Wilkinson describes the pitch as his fastball, just with “really low release and really good extension.” It makes his 90-91 mph fastball come up on hitters quicker than they expect, which has helped him tremendously throughout his minor league career.

At a very young age, Wilkinson’s dad’s best friend gave him the moniker after watching him run the bases. The friend described the pace of Wilkinson’s running as “similar to that of a boat designed to tow larger ships.”

Wilkinson pitched 2.2 innings for Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic in March this year, allowing zero hits, two walks and four strikeouts during his two appearances for the team.
done for Cleveland?

Though not an everyday player for the Guardians, Bailey has performed at a level to be expected of the Gold Glove-winning catcher. His defense has been very good in the 54 appearances he’s made, but he remains a well-below average hitter and sports a .208/.260/.357 triple-slash for the Guardians, amounting to an OPS+ of 70.

That said, he has flashed decent power for the Guardians, with five home runs for the club in just 171 plate appearances, much greater than the rate he collected for the Giants in any of his three seasons prior.

The Giants and Guardians embark on a three-game series in Cleveland beginning tomorrow, August 18, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.

The series ends with the final game on Thursday, August 20, at 1:10 p.m. ET.