by Malcolm Butler
Landon was in Brandon when he got the call.
Louisiana Tech’s 6-foot-3 closer got the news almost every little leaguer dreams of on Monday when Landon Tomkins was selected with the 287th overall pick of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft going in the 10th round to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He was at his house with his dad, Larry, when he got the news.
“Man all I can do is thank God and thank my family, friends, and coaches for giving me this path,” said Tomkins through a text exchange Monday evening. “And helping me along throughout my career even with the bumps and bruises.”
Every baseball player has them … bumps and bruises.
However, the hard-throwing Bulldog late-inning reliever dished out more this season then he accrued.
Tomkins recorded a 6-2 overall mark with a 3.52 ERA, striking out 75 batters over 76.2 innings pitched during his senior season, forming a tough one-two punch with fellow reliever Ethan Bates.
His success over his final two years in a Tech uniform set the stage for Monday’s call.
“It’s a dream I’ve had since I first picked up a baseball when I was a young kid, and it’s a dream I thought about every day,” said Tomkins. “It was something I really wanted to make happen not only for me but for my family. I can’t thank the people enough who have had a helping hand in my career all the way down from tee ball to where I am now. It’s just a surreal feeling I don’t think I’ve even registered it all in my head yet. I have nothing but thanks to God.”
He said he will most likely report this weekend to Pittsburgh to sign his contract before being sent to Bradenton, Florida, to begin preparations.
Tomkins was a huge part of the Bulldogs success in 2022 when Tech captured the Conference USA Tournament title and advanced to the Austin Regional of the NCAA Tournament. He sported a 4-0 record with a 3.45 earned run average.
For his career, he boasted a 13-4 mark with a 3.95 earned run average, striking out 132 batters in 132 innings pitched. He made 74 career appearances and totaled eight saves.
Tech head coach Lane Burroughs feels Tomkins earned the opportunity with not only his performance at Tech, but also during summer ball in 2022..
“Without a doubt, last summer was huge for him,” said Burroughs. “He went out, worked on his craft and became the top reliever in the Prospect League. He came back to campus and was really good from the very beginning of the fall through the spring.”
Tomkins began his career at Hinds Community College before signing with Tech. He was part of back-to-back NCAA Regional teams in 2021 and 2022.
