Zach Neal

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Zach Neal
Zach Neal 2016.jpg
Neal warms up on September 6, 2016
Saitama Seibu Lions – No. 54
Pitcher
Born: (1988-11-09) November 9, 1988 (age 33)
Columbia, South Carolina
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: May 11, 2016, for the Oakland Athletics
NPB: 2019, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Win–loss record2–4
Earned run average4.94
Strikeouts37
NPB statistics
(through July 14, 2021)
Win–loss record19-12
Earned run average4.11
Strikeouts134
Teams

Zachary Sheridan Neal (born November 9, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Career[]

Florida/Miami Marlins[]

Neal played college baseball at Sam Houston State University, Howard College, and the University of Oklahoma. He was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 17th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the GCL Marlins and also played for the Low-A Jamestown Jammers, accumulating a 2-1 record and 1.44 ERA in 7 games. In 2011, Neal played for the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, posting a 7-6 record and 4.16 ERA in 22 appearances. The next year, he split the season between the High-A Jupiter Hammerheads and the Double-A Jacksonville Suns, pitching to a cumulative 8-7 record and 2.78 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 30 games.[1]

Oakland Athletics[]

On March 31, 2013, Neal signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics.[2] He was assigned to the Double-A Midland RockHounds, where he spent the season, registering an 8-12 record and 4.35 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 165.2 innings of work. In 2014, Neal split the season between the High-A Stockton Ports, Midland, and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, logging a 10-7 record and 3.09 ERA in 27 appearances between the three teams. In 2015, Neal split the year between the Triple-A Nashville Sounds and Midland, pitching to a 10-13 record and 4.67 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 167.2 innings pitched.

Neal was called up to the majors for the first time on May 11, 2016.[3] Despite posting a low strikeout rate (3.5), Neal was a solid contributor for Oakland, appearing in 24 games, 6 spot starts. He finished with a 2-4 record and 2 saves. On January 18, 2017, he was designated for assignment by Oakland.[4] He cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Nashville.[5] He began the 2017 season with Nashville, but was called up to the Athletics on May 24.[6] He was twice optioned back to Nashville and recalled during the season before being designated for assignment on August 16.[7] On the year, he recorded a 7.98 ERA in 6 appearances. He elected to become a free agent after the season.[8]

Los Angeles Dodgers[]

On January 6, 2018, Neal signed a minor league contract that included an invite to spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[9] He was added to the Dodgers major league roster on April 3.[10] After pitching in one inning for the Dodgers, he was designated for assignment on April 5.[11]

Cincinnati Reds[]

On April 17, 2018, the Dodgers traded Neal and Ibandel Isabel to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Ariel Hernández. He was assigned to the Louisville Bats.[12] Neal was assigned to the Triple-A , where he pitched to a 2-2 record and 5.90 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 39.2 innings of work.

Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)[]

However, on July 4, 2018, Neal was traded back to the Dodgers organization (along with Dylan Floro and international bonus pool space) in exchange for James Marinan and Aneurys Zabala.[13] He pitched in 14 games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, starting 11 of them, and finished with a 3–2 record and 4.40 ERA.[8] Neal declared free agency on October 11, 2018.

Saitama Seibu Lions[]

Neal signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2019 season.[14] He finished his first NPB season with a 12-1 record and 2.87 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 100.1 innings of work. In 2020, Neal pitched to a 6-8 record and 5.22 ERA in 21 games.

References[]

  1. ^ "Zach Neal Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History".
  2. ^ LeRoy, Oscar (April 3, 2013). "Rockhounds: Former Howard star Neal hoping to make more baseball memories in Midland". mrt.com. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  3. ^ Oakland Athletics [@Athletics] (May 11, 2016). "MOVES: RHP Zach Neal selected; LHP Surkamp recalled; INF Lowrie to 15-day DL (shin contusion); LHP Coulombe optioned; INF Sogard to 60-day DL" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Todd, Jeff (January 18, 2017). "Athletics Designate Zach Neal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  5. ^ Hall, Alex (January 25, 2017). "Zach Neal clears waivers, remains in Oakland A's organization". Athletics Nation. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  6. ^ "Athletics' Zach Neal: Promoted to majors". CBS Sports. May 24, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  7. ^ Todd, Jeff (August 16, 2017). "Athletics Designate Zach Neal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Zach Neal Stats, Highlights, Bio". milb.com. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  9. ^ Starkand, Daniel (January 6, 2018). "Dodgers Rumors: Zach Neal Agrees To Minor League Contract". DodgerBlue.com.
  10. ^ Stephen, Eric (April 3, 2018). "Zach Neal called up from Triple-A, Josh Fields placed on paternity list". SB Nation. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  11. ^ Todd, Jeff (April 5, 2018). "Dodgers Claim Alec Asher, Designate Zach Neal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  12. ^ Sheldon, Mark (April 17, 2018). "Reds acquire Minor Leaguers Neal, Isabel". MLB.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  13. ^ Polishuk, Mark (July 4, 2018). "Dodgers Acquire Dylan Floro, Zach Neal From Reds". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  14. ^ Coskrey, Jason (2019-04-07). "Lions newcomer Zach Neal gets Japan journey off to bright start". The Japan Times Online.

External links[]

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