Daniel Zamora

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Daniel Zamora

|image = Daniel Zamora 2019-05-14 (cropped).jpg

|image_size =

|caption = Zamora with the New York Mets in 2019

|team = Toros de Tijuana

|number = 40

|position = Pitcher

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|4|15}}

|birth_place = Loma Linda, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 17

|debutyear = 2018

|debutteam = New York Mets

|finalleague =

|finaldate =

|finalyear =

|finalteam =

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 3–1

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.50

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 27

|teams =

New York Mets ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2019}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2021}})

|highlights =

}}

Daniel James Zamora (born April 15, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. Zamora played college baseball for the Stony Brook Seawolves and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 40th round of the 2015 draft. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, for whom he made his debut in 2018, and Seattle Mariners.

Amateur career

Zamora attended Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailybreeze.com/2011/04/08/baseball-bishop-amats-zamora-ruiz-combine-to-no-hit-st-paul/ |title=BASEBALL: Bishop Amat's Zamora, Ruiz combine to no-hit St. Paul – Daily Breeze |publisher=Dailybreeze.com |date=April 8, 2011 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} Zamora was selected in the 27th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2012 MLB draft, but did not sign.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sgvtribune.com/former-bishop-amat-pitcher-daniel-zamora-beat-the-odds-to-reach-the-big-leagues|title=Former Bishop Amat pitcher Daniel Zamora beat the odds to reach the big leagues|date=2018-09-05|website=San Gabriel Valley Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-22}} Instead, he enrolled at Stony Brook University, where he played college baseball for the Stony Brook Seawolves.

Zamora struggled in his freshman year in college, making 14 starts and posting a 5.11 ERA in 75.2 innings.{{Cite web|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=58|title=Daniel Zamora - Baseball|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}} He redshirted his 2014 sophomore season after tearing his labrum and missing the entire year. Making his return a redshirt sophomore in 2015, Zamora was deemed the 'ace' of the Stony Brook rotation, making 13 starts and putting up a 3.00 ERA while striking out 80 in 81 innings. Zamora was named to the America East All-Conference First Team, leading the conference in strikeouts and helping Stony Brook win the conference championship and reach the NCAA tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://americaeast.com/news/2015/5/24/210105497.aspx|title=Stony Brook Claims 5th America East Baseball Title|website=americaeast.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}} In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Orleans Firebirds,{{cite web|url=https://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=426629 |title=Daniel Zamora |publisher=pointstreak.com |access-date=September 25, 2019}} and returned to the league in 2015 to play for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=809103&seasonid=29031 |title=Daniel Zamora |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}

Professional career

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Zamora in the 40th round of the 2015 MLB draft.{{cite web|last=Gaine |first=Chris |url=https://www.sbstatesman.com/2015/06/30/zamora-signs-professional-contract-with-pittsburgh-pirates/ |title=Zamora signs professional contract with Pittsburgh Pirates | The Statesman |publisher=Sbstatesman.com |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} He played for the Bradenton Marauders of the High–A Florida State League in 2017, and was named an All-Star. He also played briefly for the Altoona Curve of the Double–A Eastern League.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-trade-josh-smoker-for-stony-brook-alum-daniel-zamora-1.16463166 |title=Mets trade Josh Smoker for Stony Brook alum Daniel Zamora |publisher=Newsday |date=January 31, 2018 |access-date=August 18, 2018}}

=New York Mets=

The Pirates traded Zamora to the New York Mets for Josh Smoker in January 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-acquire-lhp-daniel-zamora-from-pittsburgh/c-265625086 |title=Mets acquire LHP Daniel Zamora from Pittsburgh |work=MLB.com |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} He began the 2018 season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies of the Eastern League. The Mets promoted him to the major leagues on August 17.{{cite web|author=Daily News Sports Staff |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-sports-daniel-zamora-20180817-story.html |title=Mets bring up lefty reliever Daniel Zamora from Double-A Binghamton and place Bobby Wahl on DL |publisher=NY Daily News |date=August 17, 2018 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} He made his debut that night.{{cite web|author=Anthony DicComo |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-recall-daniel-zamora-bobby-wahl-on-dl/c-290740648 |title=Mets recall Daniel Zamora; Bobby Wahl on DL |work=MLB.com |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} He was the first player drafted in the 40th round to make the majors since the draft was shortened to 40 rounds. In his rookie season, Zamora appeared in 16 games, pitching nine innings and striking out 16 with a 3.00 ERA. In 2019 for the Mets, Zamora appeared in 17 games, registering a 5.19 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 8.2 innings of work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazinavenue.com/2019/10/9/20896894/mets-2019-season-daniel-zamora-bullpen-new-york|title = Daniel Zamora disappointed in his few appearances for the 2019 Mets|date = October 9, 2019}} He did not appear in a game in the pandemic shortened 2020 season. He was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets to begin the 2021 season. On May 21, 2021, Zamora was designated for assignment by the Mets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/mets-pete-alonso-injured-list-brandon-drury.html|title=Mets Put Alonso on IL, Select Drury, DFA Zamora|date=May 21, 2021 }}

=Seattle Mariners=

On May 22, 2021, Zamora was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/mariners-claim-daniel-zamora-from-mets.html|title = Mariners Claim Daniel Zamora from Mets| date=May 22, 2021 }} Zamora split time between the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers and Seattle, but was designated for assignment on June 24 after struggling to a 6.23 ERA in 4 major league appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/rays-trade-wyatt-mathisen-mariners.html|title=Rays Trade Wyatt Mathisen to Mariners|date=June 24, 2021 }}

The next day, Zamora cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma.{{Cite web|url=https://mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/minor-mlb-transactions-6-25-21.html|title = Minor MLB Transactions: 6/25/21| date=June 25, 2021 }}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On February 21, 2022, Zamora signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.

On March 10, 2022, Zamora signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, pitching in 51 games with a 4–2 record, a 3.86 ERA, and 71 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=4ebc22b8|title=2022 Oklahoma City Dodgers|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=September 28, 2022}} Zamora elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=May 13, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 13, 2022 |language=en}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates (second stint)=

On December 11, 2022, Zamora signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/pirates-announce-several-minor-league-deals.html | title=Pirates Announce Several Minor League Deals | date=December 22, 2022 }} He spent the year with the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians, also appearing in one game for the Single–A Bradenton Marauders. In 27 games for the Indians, Zamora logged a 4.97 ERA with 32 strikeouts across 29 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=May 13, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}

On April 7, 2024, Zamora retired from professional baseball.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ev14sRm79/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==|title=Instagram|website=www.instagram.com}}

=Toros de Tijuana=

On March 15, 2025, Zamora came out of retirement and signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/beisbolpuro/status/1901027637021065510?s=46&t=UN5XGiNzRq3-vt33N7zCTw|title=x.com}}