Zac Grotz
Acereros de Monclova – No. 72
Pitcher
Born: (1993-02-17) February 17, 1993
San Mateo, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 2, 2019, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record1–0
Earned run average6.17
Strikeouts21
Teams

Zachary Dylan Grotz (born February 17, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 195 pounds (88 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.

Career

Grotz attended Burlingame High School in Burlingame, California.[1] He attended Cal State Monterey Bay in 2012, playing college baseball for the Otters.[2] Grotz transferred to the College of San Mateo for the 2013 season.[3] He then transferred to the University of Tennessee and played for the Volunteers in 2014.[2] Grotz transferred to Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University for the 2015 season.[4]

Houston Astros

Grotz was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 28th round, with the 829th overall selection, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He split the 2015 season between the Rookie league Greeneville Astros and the Low-A Tri-City ValleyCats, registering a combined 5–3 record with a 3.27 earned run average (ERA).[6] Grotz was released by the Astros organization on April 2, 2016.[6]

Washington Wild Things

On April 12, 2016, Grotz signed with the Washington Wild Things of the independent Frontier League.[7] In 29 appearances with Washington, Grotz recorded a 4–2 record and 1.36 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work.[8]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On August 18, 2016, Grotz's contract was sold to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.[9] He pitched in five games for the rookie-level Ogden Raptors, posting a 4–0 record and 0.50 ERA, but was released on September 18.

Bridgeport Bluefish

On February 14, 2017, Grotz signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[10] In 67 appearances for Bridgeport in 2017, Grotz logged a 4–3 record and 3.77 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 74 innings pitched. He became a free agent after the season.

York Revolution

On March 1, 2018, Grotz returned to the Atlantic League, signing with the York Revolution.[11] In 7 games with York, Grotz registered a 2–1 record and 2.53 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 32 innings of work.

New York Mets

On June 15, 2018, Grotz's contract was purchased by the New York Mets organization.[11] He finished the season with the Single-A Columbia Fireflies, pitching to a 3–7 record and 4.61 ERA in 13 appearances. On November 2, he elected free agency.[12]

Seattle Mariners

On February 21, 2019, Grotz signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.[13] He opened the 2019 season with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers.[6] On July 31, the Mariners selected Grotz's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.[14] He made his major league debut on August 2 against the Houston Astros, allowing one run over two innings pitched.[15][16] During the 2019 season, Grotz appeared in 14 games with the Mariners, all in relief, pitching to a 0–1 record with 4.15 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 17+1⁄3 innings pitched.[17] He also made two appearances in Triple-A with the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League.[18]

During the shortened 2020 season, Grotz appeared in five games with the Mariners, with no decisions and a 14.73 ERA and four strikeouts in 7+1⁄3 innings pitched.[17] On September 1, 2020, Grotz was outrighted off of the Mariners' 40-man roster.[19] He did not play in a minor league game due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic[20] and became a free agent on November 2.[21]

Boston Red Sox

On January 18, 2021, Grotz signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.[22][23] He was assigned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox and spent time on the injured list until making his season debut on June 11.[24] In eight appearances (one start) with Worcester, Grotz compiled a 9.58 ERA while striking out seven batters in 10+1⁄3 innings.[21] He did not pitch after July 10,[24] spending the rest of the season on the injured list.[21] On November 7, he again elected free agency.[21]

Acereros de Monclova

On May 27, 2022, Grotz signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[21] Grotz did not appear in a game for the team during the 2022 season. In 2023, he made 10 appearances (7 starts) and logged a 2–2 record and 4.42 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 38+2⁄3 innings pitched.

Kansas City Monarchs

On August 26, 2023, Grotz was loaned to the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[25] In two starts for the Monarchs, Grotz posted a strong 0.82 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 11.0 innings of work.

Acereros de Monclova (second stint)

On October 12, 2023, following the American Association season, Grotz was returned to the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[26]

References

  1. ↑ Terry Bernal (September 18, 2018). "Burlingame HS boasts four in minor league ball". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Zac Grotz bio". utsports.com. Tennessee Volunteers baseball. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  3. ↑ Julio Lara (April 3, 2013). "Zac Grotz and College of San Mateo baseball overcomes slow first inning". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Zac Grotz bio". erauathletics.com. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  5. ↑ Ryan Mosher (June 10, 2015). "Grotz Goes to the Houston Astros in 28th Round of 2015 MLB Draft". erauathletics.com. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 "Zac Grotz Player Page". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Zac Grotz" (PDF). www.frontierleague.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  8. ↑ Washington Wild Things (April 12, 2016). "Grotz added to strengthen Wild Thing bullpen". washingtonwildthings.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  9. ↑ Washington Wild Things (August 18, 2016). "Zac Grotz's Contract Sold to Dodgers". washingtonwildthings.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  10. ↑ Atlantic League. "Grotz Swims to Bridgeport". Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Zac Grotz becomes second York Revolution player recently signed by major league club". The York Dispatch. June 10, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  12. ↑ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  13. ↑ Ryan Mosher (July 31, 2019). "Seattle Mariners Call Up @ERAUBaseball Alum Grotz". erauathletics.com. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  14. ↑ Lauren Smith (July 31, 2019). "Mariners trade Mike Leake to Diamondbacks; Roenis Elias, Hunter Strickland to Nationals". The News Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  15. ↑ Greg Johns (August 2, 2019). "Kikuchi allows 4 HRs as struggles continue". MLB.com. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  16. ↑ Corey Brock (September 24, 2019). "Amid a nightmare season for Mariners, a handful of dreams come true". The Athletic. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Zac Grotz Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Zac Grotz College, Minor & Independent League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Minor MLB Transactions: 9/1/20".
  20. ↑ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled".
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Zac Grotz". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. January 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  23. ↑ @tombaseball29 (January 19, 2021). "#RedSox have signed RHP Zac Grotz to a minor league contract" (Tweet). Retrieved January 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  24. 1 2 "Zac Grotz 2021 Pitching Game Log". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  25. ↑ "2023 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  26. ↑ "2023 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
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