One of the most interesting prospects in the Braves minor league system is Touki Toussaint. If we were ranking pitching prospects by pure stuff and by highest ceiling, it is likely that Touki’s name would appear at the top of that list. Featuring a fastball that is reliably in the mid-90’s and can go even higher than that and a curveball that is one of the things dreams are made of. Seriously, look at it....
I've slowed down the @_YoSoy_Touki gif so we can all bask in its glory pic.twitter.com/yMUdzp5dCK
— braves reddit (@BravesReddit) January 15, 2016
Touki really came into his own in the second half for Rome. Over his final 17 games, he threw 97.1 innings and posted a 2.59 ERA and struck out 110 batters. Keeping his walk rate down is going to be key for him going forward, but if he can harness his impressive arsenal of pitches....the sky is the limit for him.
Touki was kind enough to take some time to talk with us about his offseason, his time in Rome, and what he is working on going into 2017.
First of all Touki, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. I’m sure you’re busy preparing for next season. How’s your offseason going? Would you mind describing what your offseason program has been so far
Lifting, eating right, trying to get bigger for next year, and hanging out with my dog Simba
I heard you played soccer in high school, do you still use that for training at all?
No, I played football my junior, but quit to focus on baseball.
I heard before you decided to go pro, you met Dansby at Vanderbilt?
I had a couple of guys show me around - Jordan Sheffield showed me around mostly. I met Dansby for maybe 10 minutes
June 20th man what a day for you - I know it's your birthday and in 2014 you signed your rookie contract with Arizona on that day and then a year later you were traded to the Braves. In 2016 you went 6 innings, only gave up 5 hits a walk and no earned runs while striking out six the day before. Any big plans for your big day this year?
I just roll with it see what happens, Keep your head up, no matter what happens. Seems to be a big day for me so just take it as it comes
It was your first full season with the Braves this year and you and the rest of the guys up in Rome took home the championship, what was that like?
Awesome, honestly the most fun I've ever had playing baseball. First half everybody was just trying to get to know each other and build that chemistry. Coach Ingle helped us focus and we put it all together...just a bunch of kids having a great time.
Between yourself, Kolby Allard, Max Fried and Mike Soroka you guys had 4 first rounders up in Rome, which is just ridiculous. What was that like everyday? What did you learn from those guys?
We all struggled at different points, Fried and I talked alot and helped each other out. Allard started struggling and me and Fried helped. You know they send you down, that’s part of it just go get em. One guy goes 6 then the next night you try to set the bar a little higher.
Does having guys like Ray-Patrick Didder, Justin Ellison and Ronald Acuna behind you allow you to relax a bit on the mound? What changes in your approach were you able to make based on having such elite defensive talent behind you?
You don't change your approach.. just more confident you know if the ball is in the air it's getting caught, some of those would-be doubles in the gaps turn into outs
Is there a teammate you've played with at Rome who may not be a "Top Prospect" that you really think could surprise folks next year?
Whole team was stacked, Jared James came up and tore it up but you can’t really single anybody out, everybody it was a team effort no real weak link on the team everybody contributed.
Obviously you’ve got the blazing fastball and looney tunes curveball, how has your development of a third pitch been coming along? Is it a focus for you at this point?
Changeup coming along, fastball-changeup is pretty much what the Braves preach along with fastball location and build everything off that. My changeup is definitely coming along.
I know you guys don’t get to hit until Double A but what’s your walk up song going to be for that first pro at-bat?
I can't pick just one, you put me on the spot with that one man. You'll have to wait and see in Mississippi
Who was your favorite player growing up, was there a pitcher that you tried to emulate?
Jackie Robinson was my favorite player as a kid. PItchers - Pedro Martinez, Jose Fernandez. Guys that have that fire fun on the mound, out there smiling having a good time playing the game.
Were you a fan of the Marlins growing up in South Florida?
No, just a fan of the game. I’ll watch a good game if it’s on never a fan of a particular team .
What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of baseball?
Play video games Call of Duty Madden 2K for sure, I also turkey bowl...had to break some ankles recently.
A lot of Braves fans are very excited about you, especially our readers here at Talking Chop. Is there anything you want to say to them?
Stay patient, keep believing we are all looking forward to playing at SunTrust Park.