| Zach Plesac | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Plesac with theCleveland Indians in 2020 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-01-21)January 21, 1995 (age 30) Crown Point, Indiana, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 28, 2019, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 27–28 |
| Earned run average | 4.31 |
| Strikeouts | 364 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Zach Robert Plesac (born January 21, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCleveland Indians/Guardians andLos Angeles Angels.
Plesac playedcollege baseball atBall State University. The Indians selected him in the 12th round of the2016 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut for them in 2019.
Plesac was born inCrown Point, Indiana, and attendedCrown Point High School, where he earned many accolades.[1] Plesac starred in football, basketball, and baseball in high school.
Plesac enrolled atBall State University in 2014 and playedcollege baseball for theBall State Cardinals. In his freshman year, he had a 12–2win–loss record with a 2.11earned run average (ERA) and sixsaves in 25games played, with sixgames started, to earnCollegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors. He was also named to theAmerican Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Midwest Region Team, aNational Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American, aLouisville Slugger Third Team All-American, theMid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman Pitcher of the Year and aCollegiate Baseball Freshman All-American. In 2015, he was 5–5 with a 3.27 ERA in 16 starts to earn All-MAC Second Team honors.[2] He also played for theWareham Gatemen of theCape Cod League that year, and was 0–2 with an 11.88 ERA.[3]
TheCleveland Indians selected Plesac in the 12th round, with the 362nd overall pick, of the2016 Major League Baseball draft. He signed on June 29, 2016, for a $100,000 signing bonus.[4] He began his professional career in 2017 with theLow-AMahoning Valley Scrappers, and after posting a 1.38 ERA in eight games (seven starts), was promoted to theSingle-ALake County Captains where he finished the season, posting a 1–1 record with a 3.60 ERA in six starts.[5]
In 2018, Plesac played for both theHigh-ALynchburg Hillcats and theDouble-AAkron RubberDucks, pitching to a combined 11–6 record with a 3.79 ERA in 26 total starts between both teams.[6] He returned to Akron to begin 2019, and was promoted to theTriple-AColumbus Clippers in early May.[5]
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The Indians selected Plesac's contract from the Clippers on May 28, 2019.[7] He made his MLB debut that day atFenway Park against theBoston Red Sox,[4] allowing one run on four hits in5+1⁄3 innings and receiving ano decision.[8] On September 10, Plesac pitched a four-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels. It was both Plesac's first complete game and first shutout of his career.[9] For the season, Plesac ended with an 8–6 record in 21 starts. He struck out 88 in115+2⁄3 innings.
In his first start of the 2020 season, Plesac had one of the best outings of his career against theChicago White Sox, going eight innings, striking out 11, and allowing no earned runs.[10] On August 9, Plesac was sent home by the Indians after violating team andMajor League BaseballCOVID-19 protocols after going out with friends in Chicago following a game against the White Sox.[11] Plesac later issued a statement apologizing.[12]
On September 18, 2020, against theDetroit Tigers, Plesac threw the 97thimmaculate inning in MLB history. Plesac would strikeoutJorge Bonifacio,Niko Goodrum, andAustin Romine with just 9 pitches thrown in the 2nd inning. He would become just the third Cleveland Indians pitcher to throw an immaculate inning, and the first sinceCarlos Carrasco on July 7, 2017, who also accomplished the feat against the Detroit Tigers.
With the2020 Cleveland Indians, Plesac appeared in eight games, compiling a 4–2 record with 2.28 ERA and 57 strikeouts in55+1⁄3 innings pitched.[13] In 2021, Plesac had a 10–6 record, a 4.67 ERA, and 100 strikeouts. Plesac was the starting pitcher on the opposite end of threeno-hitters, an MLB record; the Indians were the first team to be no-hit in three games in one season.[14] In 2022, Plesac was 3–12 with a 4.31 ERA in131+2⁄3 innings, with a 1.322 WHIP.[15]
On January 13, 2023, Plesac agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract with the Guardians, avoiding salary arbitration.[16] After struggling to a 7.59 ERA across five starts to begin the year in 2023, Plesac was optioned to Columbus on May 4.[17] On June 4, Plesac wasdesignated for assignment by the Guardians.[18] Upon clearing waivers, Plesac accepted an outright assignment to Columbus on June 11.[19] Plesac elected free agency following the season on October 13.[20]
On January 6, 2024, theLos Angeles Angels signed Plesac to a one-year contract worth $1 million.[21][22] He was optioned to the Triple–ASalt Lake Bees to begin the 2024 season.[23] On April 8, the Angels designated Plesac for assignment.[24] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Salt Lake two days later.[25] In 13 starts for Salt Lake, he compiled a 3–7 record and 5.42 ERA with 51 strikeouts across74+2⁄3 innings. On June 17, the Angels selected Plesac's contract, adding him to their active roster.[26] In 3 starts for the Angels, he struggled to an 8.25 ERA with 5 strikeouts across 12 innings. Plesac was released by the Angels on August 12.[27]
On April 9, 2025, Plesac signed with theLong Island Ducks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[28] In seven starts for the Ducks, Plesac logged a 4–1 record and 2.84 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 38 innings of work.
On June 5, 2025, Plesac's contract was purchased by theSt. Louis Cardinals organization.[29] He elected free agency on November 6.[30]
Zach is the son of Ron and Jeannine Plesac, and he has two brothers.[31] His uncle,Dan Plesac, played in the major leagues from 1986 to 2003.[32][33] Another uncle, Joe Plesac, played in the minor leagues from 1982 to 1987.[34] Zach is the cousin of shortstopBlaze Alexander, who debuted for theDiamondbacks in 2024.[35]
