Tillo attended Sioux City North High School in Sioux City, Iowa, where he played football, basketball, and baseball.[1][2] As a junior in 2014, he pitched to a 6-0 record and a 0.98 ERA.[3] Following his senior basketball season in 2015, he was named Iowa Mr. Basketball after averaging 24.5 point, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.[4] During his senior baseball season, he went 5-1 with a 3.08 ERA while batting .369.[5] Due to being uncertain on whether he wanted to pursue basketball or baseball at the collegiate level, he did not commit to a college for either sport until June of his senior year, when he ultimately decided to play college baseball at the University of Kentucky.[6] After his senior year, he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 39th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.[7]
Tillo chose to honor his commitment to Kentucky, and not sign with the Twins. In 2016, his freshman year, he pitched only 7+1⁄3 innings.[8] Following the year, he transferred to Iowa Western Community College in order to be closer to home and to transition back into a starting pitcher.[9] In 2017, his sophomore year and first year at Iowa Western, he went 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA, striking out 57 over 44 innings and nine games (five starts).[10][11] After the season, he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[12][13]
Tillo did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[25] In July, he underwent Tommy John surgery.[26] On November 20, 2020, he was added to the 40-man roster.[27] On May 3, 2021, Tillo was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover.[28] He was activated in late June and began rehabbing.[29][30] On August 9, his rehab ended and he was assigned to Northwest Arkansas.[31] He pitched 29 innings in which he went 0-3 with a 4.03 ERA and 27 strikeouts.[32]
On April 7, 2022, Tillo was designated for assignment by the Royals to make room on the 40-man roster for Bobby Witt Jr.[33] Tillo was released by the Royals organization on April 14.[34] Tillo had not appeared in a major league game at the time of his release.
Tillo returned to Triple–A Sacramento to begin the 2023 season. In 17 appearances (4 starts), he struggled to a 1–6 and 9.59 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 25+1⁄3 innings pitched. He was released by the Giants organization on June 11, 2023.[40]
Personal life
Tillo is an avid baseball card collector and collects rare cards of himself.[41]