Even if he's not yet a household name, Tyler Tolbert has already etched his name in MLB history. 

Tolbert's recent stretch at the plate reached a level that tied an MLB record and placed his name alongside an icon of the game during the Kansas City Royals' 16-12 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night. 

Tyler Tolbert made MLB history twice in one night  

He went 5-for-6 with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored, giving him his second-straight five-hit performance and furthering a streak that started on the Fourth of July holiday. Tolbert matched the MLB record with hits in 12 consecutive at-bats. 

Overall, Tolbert's recent streak of consistency made him just the fifth player to go 12-for-12 in 12 at-bats and only the third to register 12 hits in 12 plate appearances in a row. 

Tyler Tolbert's name will now live forever next to Roberto Clemente 

Tolbert, 28, also became just the third player to ever produce back-to-back five-hit games, joining the legendary Roberto Clemente (1970) and Hi Myers (1917). He went 5-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, a double and three runs to help the Royals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 15-1 on Monday.

With his first two home runs of the season coming in his last two games, Tolbert now has the pair of long balls, five RBI and 10 stolen bases in 30 games so far in 2026. But employed for his ability to get on base, Tolbert's average has jumped to nearly an unthinkable milestone. He's hitting a staggering .396 with a .434 OBP with 19 hits and 17 runs in 48 at-bats. 

Tyler Tolbert's sophomore season is far beyond what he produced as a rookie 

After making his MLB debut on March 31, 2025, Tolbert hit a respectable .280 and completed his rookie slash line with a .321 OBP and a .380 slug. But few could've predicted that a year later he would accomplish something the league hadn't experienced since Clemente. 

Initially viewed as mostly a pinch-runner and defensive replacement, Tolbert's has forced his way into Kansas City's every day lineup with his knack for getting on base.