| Zac Grotz | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diablos Rojos del México | |||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1993-02-17)February 17, 1993 (age 32) 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 record | 1–0 | ||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 6.17 | ||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 21 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
Medals
| |||||||||||||||
Zachary Dylan Grotz (born February 17, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theDiablos Rojos del México of theMexican League. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSeattle Mariners. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 195 pounds (88 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
Grotz attendedBurlingame High School inBurlingame, California.[1] He attendedCal State Monterey Bay in 2012, playingcollege baseball for theOtters.[2] Grotz transferred to theCollege of San Mateo for the 2013 season.[3] He then transferred to theUniversity of Tennessee and played for theVolunteers in 2014.[2] Grotz transferred toEmbry–Riddle Aeronautical University for the 2015 season.[4]
Grotz was drafted by theHouston Astros in the 28th round, with the 829th overall selection, of the2015 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He split the 2015 season between theRookie leagueGreeneville Astros and theLow-ATri-City ValleyCats, registering a combined 5–3 record with a 3.27earned run average (ERA).[6] Grotz was released by the Astros organization on April 2, 2016.[6]
On April 12, 2016, Grotz signed with theWashington Wild Things of theindependentFrontier League.[7] In 29 appearances with Washington, Grotz recorded a 4–2 record and 1.36 ERA with 51 strikeouts in46+1⁄3 innings of work.[8]
On August 18, 2016, Grotz's contract was sold to theLos Angeles Dodgers organization.[9] He pitched in five games for the rookie-levelOgden Raptors, posting a 4–0 record and 0.50 ERA, but was released on September 18.
On February 14, 2017, Grotz signed with theBridgeport Bluefish of the independentAtlantic 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 afree agent after the season.
On March 1, 2018, Grotz returned to the Atlantic League, signing with theYork 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.
On June 15, 2018, Grotz's contract was purchased by theNew York Mets organization.[11] He finished the season with the Single-AColumbia Fireflies, pitching to a 3–7 record and 4.61 ERA in 13 appearances. On November 2, he elected free agency.[12]
On February 21, 2019, Grotz signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners organization.[13] He opened the 2019 season with theDouble-AArkansas 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 theHouston 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 in17+1⁄3innings pitched.[17] He also made two appearances inTriple-A with theTacoma Rainiers of thePacific 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 in7+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 theCOVID-19 pandemic[20] and became a free agent on November 2.[21]
On January 18, 2021, Grotz signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox.[22][23] He was assigned to the Triple-AWorcester Red Sox and spent time on theinjured 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 in10+1⁄3 innings.[21] He did not pitch after July 10,[24] spending the rest of the season on the injured list.[21] He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[21]
On May 27, 2022, Grotz signed with theAcereros de Monclova of theMexican 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 in38+2⁄3 innings pitched.[25]
On August 26, 2023, Grotz was loaned to theKansas City Monarchs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[26] In two starts for the Monarchs, Grotz posted a strong 0.82 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 11 innings of work.
On October 12, 2023, following the American Association season, Grotz was returned to theAcereros de Monclova of theMexican League.[27] He made 14 starts for Monclova in 2024, compiling a 7–1 record, 81 strikeouts, and a league–leading 2.35 ERA across76+2⁄3 innings pitched.[28]
On January 17, 2025, Grotz was traded to theDiablos Rojos del México of theMexican League in exchange for Steven Moyers.[29]
