Robert Zárate

Robert Alexander Zárate

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.

• Born February 1, 1987 in Valencia, Carabobo Venezuela

BR register page

Biographical Information

Robert Zárate played in minor leagues and in Nippon Pro Baseball.

Zarate signed with the Toronto Blue Jays at age 17. He began his professional career with the 2005 DSL Blue Jays, going 1-0 with two saves and a 2.20 ERA. In 2006, he had a 1-0, 2.37 record for the DSL Blue Jays. During 2007, the southpaw was 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA for the same club and fanned 58 while walking 11 in 46 innings. In 2008, he tossed two shutout innings for the GCL Blue Jays.

After not pitching in the minor leagues in 2009, Zarate was with Venezuela for the 2009 Baseball World Cup. He saved their opener, an upset win over Team USA, the defending champions; to do it, he retired top US prospects Pedro Alvarez and Jason Castro as well as major leaguer Tug Hulett. He then pitched for the independent Gunma Diamond Pegasus in 2011. The Hanshin Tigers signed him in 2011 as a development player, and he pitched 11 games with a 3.00 ERA in the NPB Farm Leagues. Zárate then went 3-2 with a 1.35 ERA in the minors in 2012, and he also pitched 2 games with a 9.00 ERA for the big club. He recorded a 3.38 ERA in 14 appearances in 2013, but he again struggled for the top team as his ERA was 5.40 in 2 games.

The Tigers released Zárate after the 2013 season, and he returned to the Diamond Pegasus in 2014. He was 0-3 with a 5.11 ERA in the winter for the Tigres de Aragua, and the Tampa Bay Rays signed him. He went 2-1 with a 2.90 ERA for the AAA Durham Bulls, but he didn't reach the Major Leagues. Zarate was 3-1 with a 2.12 ERA in the winter, and he was didn't pitch in the next two summers. Zarate had a 1-2 record with a 4.46 ERA in Aragua in 2017, and he signed with the Cleveland Indians. Zarate recorded a 3.30 ERA in 29 relief outings for the AAA Columbus Clippers, and he was released on July 23. He also recorded a 5.17 ERA in 4 games for the Toros de Tijuana, and his ERA was 8.00 in 4 games for the Leones de Yucatan. Zárate had a 4.09 ERA in 5 games in Aragua that winter, and he was 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA for the Navegantes del Magallanes the next winter. He only pitched one game in 2020, and he was 7-1 with a 3.03 ERA in 2021. He tied Ronald Belisario for the Venezuelan League lead in victories. Zárate had a 0.63 ERA in 20 relief outings in 2022, but he only pitched 2/3 of an inning in 2023 and his professional career ended.

Overall, Zárate was 7-5 with a 2.71 ERA, struck out 164 and pitched 139 1/3 innings in 5 seasons in the minor leagues.