Zach Neal

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.

Zach Neal
Neal warms up on September 6, 2016
Saitama Seibu Lions – No. 54
Pitcher
Born: (1988-11-09) November 9, 1988
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 2020 season)
Win–loss record18-9
Earned run average4.11
Strikeouts117
Teams

Career

Florida 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.

Oakland Athletics

In 2013, he signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics.[1]

Neal was called up to the majors for the first time on May 11, 2016.[2] 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.[3] He cleared waivers and was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.[4] He began the 2017 season with Nashville, but was called up to the Athletics on May 24.[5] He was twice optioned back to Nashville and recalled during the season before being designated for assignment on August 16.[6] He elected to become a free agent after the season.[7]

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.[8] He was added to the Dodgers major league roster on April 3.[9] After pitching in one inning for the Dodgers, he was designated for assignment on April 5.[10]

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.[11] However, on July 4, he was traded back to the Dodgers (along with Dylan Floro and international bonus pool space) in exchange for James Marinan and Aneurys Zabala.[12] He pitched in 14 games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, starting 11 of them, and finished with a 3–2 record and 4.40 ERA.[7] 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.[13]

References
  1. LeRoy, Oscar (April 3, 2013). "Rockhounds: Former Howard star Neal hoping to make more baseball memories in Midland". mrt.com. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  2. 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.
  3. Todd, Jeff (January 18, 2017). "Athletics Designate Zach Neal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  4. Hall, Alex (January 25, 2017). "Zach Neal clears waivers, remains in Oakland A's organization". Athletics Nation. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  5. "Athletics' Zach Neal: Promoted to majors". CBS Sports. May 24, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  6. Todd, Jeff (August 16, 2017). "Athletics Designate Zach Neal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  7. "Zach Neal Stats, Highlights, Bio". milb.com. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  8. Starkand, Daniel (January 6, 2018). "Dodgers Rumors: Zach Neal Agrees To Minor League Contract". DodgerBlue.com.
  9. Stephen, Eric (April 3, 2018). "Zach Neal called up from Triple-A, Josh Fields placed on paternity list". SB Nation. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  10. Todd, Jeff (April 5, 2018). "Dodgers Claim Alec Asher, Designate Zach Neal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  11. Sheldon, Mark (April 17, 2018). "Reds acquire Minor Leaguers Neal, Isabel". MLB.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  12. Polishuk, Mark (July 4, 2018). "Dodgers Acquire Dylan Floro, Zach Neal From Reds". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  13. Coskrey, Jason (2019-04-07). "Lions newcomer Zach Neal gets Japan journey off to bright start". The Japan Times Online.
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