| Vin Mazzaro | |
|---|---|
 Mazzaro with the Sacramento River Cats | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1986-09-27)September 27, 1986 (age 39) Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 2, 2009, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 5, 2016, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| MLB statistics (through 2016 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 24–23 |
| Earned run average | 4.79 |
| Strikeouts | 233 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Vincent Michael Mazzaro (born September 27, 1986) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theOakland Athletics,Kansas City Royals,Pittsburgh Pirates,Miami Marlins, andSan Francisco Giants.
Mazzaro grew up inRutherford, New Jersey, and attendedRutherford High School, where he led the team to two consecutive state championships.[1]
Mazzaro was drafted by theOakland Athletics in the third round of the2005 Major League Baseball Draft.
In December 2008,Baseball America named Mazzaro the #8 prospect in Oakland's organization.[2]
Mazzaro made his major league debut on June 2,2009 against theChicago White Sox. He earned the victory after pitching6+1⁄3 innings without allowing a run.[3]
Mazzaro was traded along with minor league pitcherJustin Marks to theKansas City Royals forDavid DeJesus on November 10, 2010. After starting the 2011 season with theOmaha Storm Chasers, he was recalled by the Royals to replace the injuredBruce Chen on May 10.[4]
He surrendered 14 runs in2+1⁄3 innings in an emergency appearance out of thebullpen in a 19–1 loss to theCleveland Indians atKauffman Stadium on May 16, 2011.[5] Besides setting a new franchise record for most runs yielded in a game, he became the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to allow that many without pitching 3 innings. His 14 earned runs given up was also the most by a relief pitcher sinceLes McCrabb of the Philadelphia Athletics allowed the same amount in four innings in a 19–4 defeat to theBoston Red Sox on April 16, 1942.[6] Originally scheduled to be thestarter the following night, Mazzaro was optioned back to the Storm Chasers after the game.[7] Mazzaro was called back to Kansas City on June 7 after Royals starting pitcherSean O'Sullivan was placed on the disabled list. The following year, he finished the season with an overall record of 4–3 with a 5.73 ERA in 18 games, primarily in relief.[8]On November 20, 2012, the Royals designated Mazzaro for assignment as they cleared room on the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft.[8]
On November 28, 2012, Mazzaro was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates with first basemanClint Robinson in exchange for right-handed pitcherLuis Santos and left-hander Luis Rico. Santos and Rico both pitched in theDominican Summer League in 2012.[9]
Mazzaro wasdesignated for assignment on March 29, 2014, and assigned outright to the Triple-AIndianapolis Indians on April 8.[10]
On May 26, 2014, Mazzaro was designated for assignment again in order forBrandon Cumpton to be called up.[11] He elected free agency in October 2014.[12]
On January 21, 2015, theMiami Marlins announced that they had signed Mazzaro to a minor league deal.[13] He split 21 games between Miami and theNew Orleans Zephyrs.
Mazzaro signed a minor league deal with theAtlanta Braves on July 10, 2015. He was assigned to theGwinnett Braves.
Mazzaro signed a minor league deal with theSan Francisco Giants on January 11, 2016. On April 30, 2016, Mazzaro was called to the major league roster in order to replace the strugglingMike Broadway. On May 5, 2016, Mazzaro gave up nine runs, while pitching 1/3 of an inning against theColorado Rockies. Then next day he was designated for assignment to make room forAlbert Suarez.[14]
On May 9, 2017, Mazzaro signed with theSomerset Patriots of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 3 games (2 starts) 6 innings he went 0-0 with a 0.00 era and 6 strikeouts.
Mazzaro signed a minor league deal with theCincinnati Reds on May 18, 2017.[15] He made only 2 starts for the Triple–ALouisville Bats, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) on 13 hits and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts in4+1⁄3 innings pitched. Mazzaro elected free agency following the season on November 6.[16]
On May 6, 2018, Mazzaro signed with theNew Jersey Jackals of the independentCan-Am League. In 34 games 46 innings of relief he went 3-4 with a 1.76 era, 44 strikeouts and 10 saves.
On April 9, 2019, Mazzaro was traded to theLong Island Ducks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. He won the 2019 ALPB championship with Long Island. He re-signed with the Ducks for the 2020 season on February 18, 2020.[17] Mazzaro did not play in a game in for the team due to the cancellation of the 2020 ALPB season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year. With the season on hold, he participated in theSOMERSET Professional Baseball Series, hosted by the Somerset Patriots, during which he played for theNew Jersey Blasters.[18] On April 20, 2021, Mazzaro re-signed with the Ducks for the 2021 season.[19] Mazzaro retired from professional baseball on September 9, 2021.[20]
On May 6, 2022, Mazzaro came out of retirement and signed with theSussex County Miners of theFrontier League.[21] In 16 starts 83 innings he went 5-6 with a 4.99 era and 72 strikeouts.
On December 21, 2022, Mazzaro signed with theNew Jersey Jackals of theFrontier League.[22] In 8 starts for New Jersey, he posted a 4–1 record and 3.27 ERA with 56 strikeouts across41+1⁄3 innings pitched. On March 5, 2024, Mazzaro was released by the Jackals.[23]
· Baseball Almanac
