| Zach Penrod | |
|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox – No. 67 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1997-06-16)June 16, 1997 (age 27) Nampa, Idaho, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 14, 2024, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 2.25 |
| Strikeouts | 3 |
| Teams | |
| |
Zach Penrod (born June 16, 1997) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theBoston Red Sox ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
Penrod attendedColumbia High School inNampa, Idaho. He was a first-team all-conference baseball player his junior and senior seasons. He then attendedCorban University. In 2016, he did not pitch, only playing as an outfielder. In 2017, he returned to the mound, with a 2.03 ERA in 9 relief appearances.[1] Penrod then transferred toNorthwest Nazarene University. In 2018, he had a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings pitched for theNighthawks. As a batter, he hit .369 with 5 home runs in 46 games.[2] He was named to the second-team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference as an outfielder.[3]
On August 2, 2018, Penrod signed with theTexas Rangers as an undrafted free agent, after he was not selected in the2018 MLB draft.[2] He made his professional debut with the rookie-levelArizona League Rangers, recording a 6.17 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 4 games. On April 1, 2019, Penrod underwentTommy John surgery and was ruled out for the entirety of the year.[4] He was released by the Rangers on June 1, 2020.[5]
On May 27, 2021, Penrod signed with theBoise Hawks of thePioneer League.[6] In his first competitive baseball since 2018, Penrod started 14 games for Boise, with a 3–4 record, 5.66 ERA, and 85 strikeouts across68+1⁄3 innings of work.[7]
On August 23, 2022, Penrod, Byron Smith, and Juan Teixiera were traded to theBillings Mustangs of the Pioneer League.[8] Penrod had not pitched in the first several months of the 2022 season. In 13 games (4 starts) in 2022, he struggled to a 1–3 record and 7.40 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 2saves across20+2⁄3 innings.[9]
On December 12, 2022, Penrod signed with theMissoula PaddleHeads of the Pioneer League.[10] Penrod made 13 appearances (10 starts) for Missoula in 2023, posting a 4–1 record and 2.98 ERA with 65 strikeouts over54+1⁄3 innings pitched.[11]
On August 16, 2023, Penrod signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox.[12] He made four starts for the High-AGreenville Drive down the stretch, posting a 2–1 record and 2.18 ERA with 20 strikeouts over20+2⁄3 innings.[13]
Penrod began the 2024 campaign with the Double-APortland Sea Dogs before being promoted to the Triple-AWorcester Red Sox in late May.[14] In 22 games (12 starts) between the two affiliates, he had an 8–2 record and 4.16 ERA with 93 strikeouts across62+2⁄3 innings pitched.[15] On September 14, Penrod was selected to the40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[16] He made his MLB debut the same day, pitching in relief atYankee Stadium and striking out the first two batters he faced.[17] In 7 games with Boston, Penrod had no decisions but earned 2 holds, with a 2.25 ERA and 3 strikeouts and 4 walks in 4 innings.[18]
Penrod has three brothers, Skyler, Trevor, and JT. Their parents are Jon and Tracy Penrod.[1]