Zachary Charles Miner (born March 12, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Lamigo Monkeys.

Zach Miner
Miner with the Detroit Tigers
Pitcher
Born: (1982-03-12) March 12, 1982 (age 42)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 4, 2006, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 2013, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Win–loss record25–22
Earned run average4.25
Strikeouts237
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Career edit

Atlanta Braves edit

Standing at 6 foot 3 inches and 205 pounds, Miner had no previous college experience before playing minor and major league baseball. He did, however, play high school baseball for Palm Beach Gardens Community High School. Miner was a fourth round pick by the Atlanta Braves, and in 2000, he received the second-team All-American pitcher award, and had been offered a full ride to Miami University.[1]

Miner spent 2001–2004 in the Braves minor league system, pitching for the Single-A Jamestown Jammers (2001), Class-A Macon Braves (2002), Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2003), and Double-A Greenville Braves (2004). 2005 found him with the Double-A Mississippi Braves, but after four games he was promoted to the Triple-A Richmond Braves. Miner started 17 games for the Braves, going 2–7 with a 4.23 ERA. On July 31, 2005, the Braves traded Miner along with relief pitcher Román Colón to the Detroit Tigers for setup man/closer Kyle Farnsworth.[2]

Detroit Tigers edit

Miner did not make the 25-man roster at the end of the 2006 spring training, but he was called up to the Tigers in May 2006 to replace the injured Mike Maroth. He was a reliable 5th starter but was moved to the bullpen near the end of the season. He was on the Tigers playoff roster as a reliever. He pitched once in the 2006 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 2007 Zach started the season in Triple A Toledo, but was called up on May 17, and made a spot start against the Boston Red Sox in place of the sick Mike Maroth. After a brief return to Toledo, Miner was called up to help in the bullpen. He finished the season 3–4 while pitching in 34 games. Zach allowed 22 runs, 18 earned, through 53+23 innings.

Miner started the 2008 season with the Tigers, but was sent to Toledo July 2 after walking four batters in two innings in a loss to the Minnesota Twins.[3] On July 21, Miner returned to the Tigers as a starter against the Kansas City Royals. Miner pitched six shutout innings in the Tigers 19–4 victory.[4]

In April 2009, Miner came off a strong start in his first outing of the season to being roughed up in his second outing against the White Sox. In this game, he allowed back to back home runs to Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko - the 300th of each man's career.[5]

Miner underwent Tommy John surgery in June, 2010 and missed the entire 2010 season, after which he was designated for assignment.[6]

Kansas City Royals edit

Miner signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 31, 2010.[7]

Detroit Tigers edit

On April 20, 2012, Miner was traded back to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations.[8]

Philadelphia Phillies edit

Miner signed a minor league contract with Philadelphia in December 2012.[9] He received a call up to the big leagues on August 3, and on September 20, joined the Phillies starting rotation after Kyle Kendrick was shut down for the remainder of the season. He elected free agency on October 8.[10] He was outrighted off the roster on October 3, 2013.

Seattle Mariners edit

Miner signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on February 13, 2014. He was released on June 9, 2014.[11]

Lamigo Monkeys edit

Shortly after his release from the Mariners, Miner signed with the Lamigo Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ Jenkins, David (June 6, 2000). "Reds', Braves' Picks To Cost". Chattanooga Times Free Press. p. D2.
  2. ^ "Zach Miner Statistics (Minor Leagues)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  3. ^ "Tigers' Miner sent to Triple-A; Lopez recalled". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 2, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  4. ^ "Cabrera, Joyce drive in 11 combined as Tigers slam Royals". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 21, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  5. ^ Merkin, Scott (April 13, 2009). "Back-to-back, Dye, Konerko reach 300". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  6. ^ Beck, Jason (November 29, 2010). "Tigers clear room by designating Miner". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  7. ^ Joshi, Sunil (December 31, 2010). "Royals sign Miner to Minor League deal". MLB.com. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  8. ^ Kaegel, Dick (April 20, 2012). "Royals deal Miner back to Tigers for cash". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  9. ^ "The Philadelphia Phillies sign Zach Miner". December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  10. ^ Zolecki, Todd (September 20, 2013). "Kendrick shut down due to shoulder; Miner to rotation". phillies.com: News. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  11. ^ "Seattle signs Wolf, Miner". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  12. ^ "EDA Rhinos rough up Monkeys - Taipei Times". 15 September 2014.

External links edit