Zack Greinke
From BR Bullpen
Donald Zackary Greinke
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
- High School Apopka High School
- Debut May 22, 2004
- Born October 21, 1983 in Orlando, FL USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Zack Greinke was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the sixth overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft. He throws a mid-90's fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a change-up--all with excellent command. The right-hander struck out 118 batters while walking just 8 as high school senior in Apopka, Florida. Greinke won the 2002 "Gatorade High School Player of the Year Award", and his high school batting average was well above .400. He hit .495 with 10 home runs in 99 AB as a senior and was a first-team Baseball America All-American as a two-way player. He signed with Kansas City for $2,475,000.
He is the brother of Luke Greinke.
[edit] Rise to Kansas City
The Royals' first round pick made six professional appearances in the summer of 2002. He made three starts for the GCL Royals, two with the Spokane Indians, and he made a relief outing for the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Greinke's total ERA for the three stops was 3.79, and he did not figure in any decisions. In the winter, Baseball America ranked Greinke as the third best prospect in the Puerto Rican League following a 0-1, 2.45 record for the Mayaguez Indians. The Florida native won 11 games with a 1.14 ERA for the Blue Rocks in 2003, prompting a promotion to Wichita. Greinke was a 4-3 with the Wranglers; his ERA was 3.23. In the 2003 Futures Game, he pitched a scoreless 4th inning for the USA, striking out two. Overall, he finished third in the affiliated minors in ERA behind Jon Connolly and Kameron Loe. For his performance in Wilmington, Greinke was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year and his overall efforts earned him a The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year Award. Had he qualified, he would have led the Carolina League in ERA by 1.27. Baseball America rated him as the top prospect in the Carolina League and having the top breaking pitch in that league. They also placed him as the #2 prospect among all right-handed pitchers, trailing only Edwin Jackson. They said his "pitchability is unmatched by any minor leaguer."
Greinke spent the bulk of the 2004 campaign with the Royals. He allowed two runs over five innings in his debut on May 22nd. He finished the season with an 8-11 record, a 3.97 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP. 2005 was not nearly as successful for the young pitcher. The Royals continued to flounder in the standings, and Greinke's confidence wavered. Despite a strong month of April, the 21 year old finished the first half with a 1-11 record and a 6.20 ERA. His record for the season was 5-17 and he led the 2005 AL in losses. In only his third major league at-bat, Greinke hit a home run for one bright spot.
[edit] Breakdown and Recovery
2006 brought a strange twist to Greinke's career. His attitude changed in Spring Training, and he suffered a mental breakdown while throwing a bullpen session. Greinke announced he was leaving the team. He spent much of the season seeking help for depression and anxiety. He was able to return to baseball later in the season, and even made three relief appearances for the Royals.
In 2007, the embattled pitcher returned to spring training, this time hungry for a spot in the starting rotation. He won a spot, and pitched well in his first two regular season starts: giving up just two runs in 13 innings while fanning 12. The Royals moved Greinke back to the bullpen in May, and he stayed there until late September. On September 20, Greinke pitched eight strong inning against the Chicago White Sox. He yielded two hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out 10. In 52 games, the 23 year old's record was 7-7, and his ERA was 3.69. In 2008, he was back full time in the starting rotation and had a solid year, going 13-10, 3.47 in 32 starts for a team that finished tied for last in the AL Central.
Greinke was amazing to start 2009, going 8-1 with a 0.84 ERA. He became the first pitcher in 43 years, since Juan Marichal, to have an ERA under 1 after 10 starts, and while he slowed down after that, he continued to rank among the best pitchers in all of baseball for the remainder of the year. He made the All-Star team for the first time and led the American League in ERA and WHIP, finished second in strikeouts, and managed to post a 16-8 record with a dreadful Royals team that gave him very little run support. He was rewarded for his outstanding season by winning the 2009 American League Cy Young Award in a landslide over Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2003 The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year, Wilmington Blue Rocks, Carolina League & Wichita Wranglers, Texas League
- AL All-Star (2009)
- 2009 AL Cy Young Award
- AL ERA Leader (2009)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2009)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (2008 & 2009)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (2009)
| AL Cy Young Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Cliff Lee | Zack Greinke | tbd |
