Michael Toglia

Michael Toglia's Biography

Michael Anthony Toglia is an esteemed American professional baseball player, famous for his tremendous talent on the field as a first baseman and outfielder. He was born on August 16, 1998 and made his mark in professional baseball as a part of the Colorado Rockies team in the Major League Baseball (MLB). Michael’s, or better know to many as “Toglia”, journey as a professional baseball player is a tale of undeterred dedication, precision, power, and extraordinary skill that has led him to rise in the ranks of Major League Baseball.

Toglia hails from Gig Harbor, Washington where he nurtured his talent for baseball at the Gig Harbor High School. He showcased his talent and skill with spectacular performances in his senior year in 2016, where he hit an impressive .316 with four home runs and contributed 21 RBIs. Not just impressive with the bat, Toglia also donned the role of a pitcher, achieving a fantastic ERA of 1.00 in a span of 42 innings.

Toglia got his first taste of the MLB when he was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball draft the same year his high school years ended. However, undeterred by the allure of the big leagues, he chose to remain committed to his decision to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Here, he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins, adding further skill, strength and experience to his game.

His summers were filled with baseball as well, playing in the West Coast League (WCL) for the Wenatchee AppleSox. Toglia’s superlative performance which saw him batting at .306 with seven home runs and 40 RBIs led to him being recognized as the league’s most valuable player and a spot on the All-WCL team.

In 2017, as a freshman at UCLA, Toglia continued to impress on the field by hitting .261 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs during 56 games. This led him to be named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and receive an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.

During the following summer, he displayed his batting prowess for the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He hit .248 with six home runs and 25 RBIs over 37 games. His sophomore year in 2018 saw him start in all 59 of UCLA’s games, where he showcased his incredible batting skill by maintaining a slash line of .336/.449/.588 with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs. This phenomenal performance earned him a place on the All-Pac-12 First Team.

He reprised his role for the Kettleers after 2018, batting .220 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 38 games. Following stellar performances, he entered 2019 being named a preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball and demonstrated why by finishing his junior year with a batting average of .314, accompanied by 17 home runs and 65 RBIs.

As one of the top prospects for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, the Colorado Rockies were quick to rehire his services with the 23rd overall pick and signing him for $2.7 million. He was then assigned to the Boise Hawks where he hit .248 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs over 41 games during his first professional season.

The year 2020 saw the minor league baseball season brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2021 Toglia was assigned to the Spokane Indians, earning selection for the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field in June. Following successful performances which included 17 home runs, 66 RBIs, and seven stolen bases over 74 games, he was promoted to the Hartford Yard Goats of the Double-A Northeast.

Toglia’s skills and performances didn’t go unnoticed, and he was promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in August 2022. Later that month, the Rockies selected Toglia’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues.

On his debut night as the team’s starting first baseman against the Atlanta Braves, while he went hitless over four at-bats, the Rockies clinched a 3-2 win. His first MLB hit came as a single off of Kyle Wright of the Atlanta Braves, shortly after his debut. The same night saw him hit his first MLB home run, a two-run shot, off of Braves closer Kenley Jansen.

Although he was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the 2023 season, Toglia fought his way back and in 2024, he made the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. On July 14, Toglia made history by becoming the first Rockies player to hit three home runs in a single game, leading them to an 8–5 victory against the New York Mets.

Toglia’s journey from the fields of Gig Harbor High School to the limelights of MLB personify dedication, talent, and hard work. His skill as both an outfielder and first baseman, along with his tenacity for hitting home runs, continues to make him an valuable asset on the field. His story personifies the perseverance and determination essential for the road to becoming an unforgettable name in the history of baseball.