Touki Toussaint facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Touki Toussaint
Toussaint with the Columbus Clippers in 2023
Los Angeles Angels
Pitcher
Born: (1996-06-20) June 20, 1996 (age 29) Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
August 13, 2018, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	15–16
Earned run average	5.39
Strikeouts	292
Teams
Atlanta Braves (2018–2021) Los Angeles Angels (2022) Cleveland Guardians (2023) Chicago White Sox (2023–2024) Los Angeles Angels (2025)
Medals Men's baseball Representing USA WBSC Premier12 Bronze 2024 Tokyo Team

Dany Gilbert Kiti "Touki" Toussaint (born June 20, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He plays for the Los Angeles Angels organization. Touki has also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Guardians, and Chicago White Sox. The Arizona Diamondbacks chose him in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Braves.

Early Life and Baseball

Touki Toussaint was born in Pembroke Pines, Florida. His parents are Dany Toussaint and Kahaso Kiti. He has family roots from Haiti and Kenya. His nickname, Touki, comes from his parents' last names.

When he was three months old, his family moved to Haiti. Touki and his mom moved back to Florida when he was six. He stopped playing baseball at age 10 because he struck out a lot. He then focused on soccer and hockey. Two years later, he returned to baseball after a friendly bet.

High School Baseball

Touki went to Coral Springs Charter School for one year. Then he moved to Coral Springs Christian Academy in Florida. In 2013, he was a top player as a junior. He had a great pitching record of 6 wins and 2 losses. His earned run average (ERA) was very low at 0.78. He also had 83 strikeouts.

Touki was also a strong hitter. He hit .458 with six home runs. He also had 32 runs batted in. He was named the best player in his county for his division. Touki decided to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University.

Professional Baseball Career

Arizona Diamondbacks

Touki Toussaint was seen as one of the best young players for the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. The Arizona Diamondbacks picked him 16th overall in the first round. He signed with them on his birthday, June 20. He received a $2.7 million bonus.

He started playing professionally with the Arizona League Diamondbacks in July. In August, he moved up to the Missoula Osprey. Touki finished his first year with a 2–4 record. He had an 8.48 ERA in 12 games. He started the 2015 season with the Kane County Cougars.

Atlanta Braves

On June 20, 2015, the Diamondbacks traded Touki to the Atlanta Braves. He was traded along with Bronson Arroyo for Phil Gosselin. He finished 2015 with a 4.83 ERA in 17 starts. His team asked him to use his curveball less. This helped him improve his changeup pitch.

Touki played for the Rome Braves in 2016. He had a tough start but got better. He changed how he threw the ball. In 2017, he played for the Florida Fire Frogs. Later that year, he moved up to the Mississippi Braves. He had 167 strikeouts in 145 innings.

Touki Toussaint pitching for the Braves in 2019

Touki started 2018 with the Mississippi Braves. He had a 2.93 ERA and 107 strikeouts. He was then promoted to the Gwinnett Stripers. He played his first game in the International League in July. Touki was also chosen for the All-Star Futures Game.

On August 13, 2018, the Braves called Touki up to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that same day. He started a game against the Miami Marlins. He allowed only one run in six innings. He spent time at spring training before the 2019 season. He started the year back in Gwinnett.

In 2020, Touki tested positive for COVID-19. He had a record of 0 wins and 2 losses. His ERA was 8.88 over 24.1 innings. On March 27, 2021, he was put on the injured list. He had a strain in his throwing shoulder. He returned to play on July 16.

In 2021, Touki had a 3–3 record with a 4.50 ERA for the Braves. The Braves won the NL East division that year. They went on to win the 2021 World Series. This was the Braves' first championship since 1995. The Braves later removed Touki from their roster on July 2, 2022.

Los Angeles Angels

On July 3, 2022, the Los Angeles Angels got Touki from the Braves. They traded cash for him. Touki played in eight major league games for the Angels. He had a 1–1 record with a 4.62 ERA. He also had 26 strikeouts. On November 15, the Angels removed him from their roster. He became a free agent on November 18.

Cleveland Guardians

On January 4, 2023, Touki signed a minor league contract. This was with the Cleveland Guardians. He was invited to their major league spring training camp. He played 20 games for the Triple–A Columbus Clippers. He had a 4.06 ERA and 48 strikeouts. He also had 3 saves.

On June 16, Touki was added to the Guardians' major league team. He started a game that day. He pitched 3.2 innings and allowed 2 runs. The Guardians removed him from their roster the next day.

Chicago White Sox

On June 20, 2023, the Chicago White Sox claimed Touki. He played in 19 games for them, starting 15. He had a 4–6 record with a 4.97 ERA. He recorded 83 strikeouts in 83.1 innings.

The White Sox removed Touki from their roster on March 24, 2024. He was sent to the Triple–A Charlotte Knights. In 17 games for Charlotte, he had a 5.15 ERA. He had 49 strikeouts in 50.2 innings. On July 29, the White Sox added him back to their active roster. In 11 games for Chicago, he had a 7.43 ERA. He had 26 strikeouts in 23 innings. The White Sox removed him from their roster again on September 3. He became a free agent on September 30.

Los Angeles Angels (Second Time)

On March 11, 2025, Touki signed with a team in the Mexican League. However, on March 21, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He was sent to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. On May 3, the Angels added Touki to their active roster. He played one game for Los Angeles. He was removed from the roster on May 6. Touki was sent back to Salt Lake the next day.