Zack Greinke#pitching style

Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida, the son of teachers Donald and Marsha Greinke. He is of German descent, and was active in Little League and also excelled in tennis and golf tournaments as a youth.{{cite web |last=Collings |first=Buddy |date=June 12, 2001 |title=Greinke Is A Natural But His Work Adds To Baseball Skills |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/06/12/greinke-is-a-natural-but-his-work-adds-to-baseball-skills/ |access-date=April 25, 2014 |work=Orlando Sentinel}}{{cite web |last=Brown |first=David |date=June 20, 2008 |title=Answer Man: Zack Greinke talks burritos, beauty queens, Romo |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Answer-Man-Zack-Greinke-talks-burritos-beauty-?urn=mlb,89356 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624060422/https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Answer-Man-Zack-Greinke-talks-burritos-beauty-?urn=mlb,89356 |archive-date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Yahoo Sports}} As a teenager, Greinke helped lead his team to the Senior League World Series title in 1999. He played shortstop for the team, and his coach estimated that he hit close to .700 in the tournament.{{cite web |last=Humphries |first=Rob |date=August 22, 1999 |title=Conway Wins Senior Crown |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/08/22/conway-wins-senior-crown/ |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Orlando Sentinel}}

Greinke was primarily a shortstop when he started playing baseball at Apopka High School. He hit over .400 with 31 home runs in his high school career.{{cite web |last=Eskew |first=Alan |date=June 4, 2002 |title=Royals Draft Report |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/royalsreport02.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208214053/http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/royalsreport02.html |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Baseball America}} He worked as a relief pitcher as a sophomore and junior, before becoming a starting pitcher as a senior. During his senior season, in 2002, Greinke compiled a 9–2 win–loss record, a 0.55 earned run average (ERA), and 118 strikeouts in 63 innings. He also held opposing batters to a .107 average. He led his team to a 32–2 record and their third straight district title, and was selected as Gatorade National Player of the Year.{{cite news |date=May 29, 2002 |title=Zack Greinke named 2002 Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/orl-zack_2_20101219065800,0,7099669.photo#axzz2rYYsqYaZ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422045540/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/orl-zack_2_20101219065800,0,7099669.photo#axzz2rYYsqYaZ |archive-date=April 22, 2014 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} After the high school season ended, he played in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Classic and impressed pro scouts with his performance against some of the best hitters in the country.{{cite web |last=Falkoff |first=Robert |date=June 4, 2002 |title=Royals choose right-hander Greinke |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020604&content_id=41795&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309213030/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20020604&content_id=41795&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=September 19, 2015 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}}

The Kansas City Royals selected Greinke in the first round, with the sixth overall selection, of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite press release |title=Royals Select RHP Zack Greinke in 1st round |date=June 4, 2002 |publisher=MLB.com |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20020604&content_id=41677&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |access-date=January 26, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006110958/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20020604&content_id=41677&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |work=Kansas City Royals}} They felt Greinke was a polished player who could move quickly through their system. Greinke turned down a scholarship offer from Clemson University{{cite news |date=July 13, 2002 |title=Greinke was sixth overall pick in draft |url=http://a.espncdn.com/mlb/news/2002/0713/1405467.html |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}{{cite news |date=July 14, 2002 |title=Greinke won't play for Tigers |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rjofAAAAIBAJ&pg=6798,3661093 |access-date=January 26, 2011 |work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |via=Google News Archive |agency=Associated Press}} to sign with the Royals for a $2.5 million signing bonus.{{cite web |last=Buchalter |first=Bill |date=July 13, 2002 |title=Greinke Is Ready To Sign And Pitch |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2002/07/13/greinke-is-ready-to-sign-and-pitch/ |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Orlando Sentinel}}

Greinke pitched in six minor league games (five starts) for the Royals farm teams in 2002: three games for the Gulf Coast Royals, two for the Low-A Spokane Indians, and two innings for the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Carolina League. He had a 3.97 ERA in {{fraction|11|1|3}} innings.{{cite web |title=Zack Greinke Minor League Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=greink001don |access-date=September 13, 2012 |work=Baseball Reference}}

In 2003, Greinke opened the season with Wilmington, where he was 11–1 with a 1.14 ERA in 14 starts.{{cite web |title=2003 Wilmington Blue Rocks statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=3ecbf748 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Baseball Reference}} Those numbers earned spots on both the Carolina League mid-season{{cite web |last=Janus |first=Matt |date=June 9, 2011 |title=Four Rocks Named Carolina League All-Stars |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-20259204 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203003329/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110609&content_id=20259204&vkey=news_t426&fext=.jsp&sid=t426 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Minor League Baseball}} and post-season all-star teams as well as Carolina League Pitcher of the Year award.{{cite web |date=August 27, 2003 |title=Carolina League Year-End All-Star Team Announced |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=2341245 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=OurSports Central}} The Blue Rocks' manager, Billy Gardner, Jr., remarked that Greinke was "the best pitcher I've ever seen at this level of the minor leagues."{{cite web |last=Hill |first=Benjamin |date=November 17, 2009 |title=Path of the Pros: Zack Greinke |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091117&content_id=7676790&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124195017/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091117&content_id=7676790&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}}

He was promoted in July to the Double-A Wichita Wranglers of the Texas League, where in nine starts he was 4–3 with a 3.23 ERA.{{cite web |title=2003 Wichita Wranglers statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=decd7885 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Baseball Reference}} He had a couple of games where he struggled at Wichita and gave up a lot of runs. However, he bounced back and helped them make the playoffs with a victory in the final game of the season.

Greinke was named the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2003.{{cite web |date=September 23, 2003 |title=Gettis, Greinke win honors |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20030923&content_id=539892&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006111037/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20030923&content_id=539892&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |access-date=December 9, 2009 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} He was promoted by the Royals in 2004 to the Triple-A Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League, where he was 1–1 with a 2.51 ERA in six starts.{{cite web |title=Omaha Royals 2004 statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=68c96761 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Baseball Reference}}

File:Zack Greinke on July 29, 2009.jpg]]

Greinke was called up to the major leagues on May 22, 2004, and made his major league debut against the Oakland Athletics, allowing two earned runs in five innings. At 20 years old, he was the youngest player in the majors and came close to picking up the win, but the team's closer, Jeremy Affeldt, gave up the lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.{{cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=May 22, 2004 |title=No-decision for Greinke in debut |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040522&content_id=750085&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221220821/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040522&content_id=750085&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2016 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}}{{Cite news |date=May 22, 2004 |title=Crosby, A's capitalize on walk to Durazo in 11th |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20040522_KC@OAK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108223553/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20040522_KC@OAK |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |access-date=September 19, 2015 |work=CBS Sports}}

Greinke recorded his first career win on June 8, when he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Montreal Expos.{{cite web |date=June 8, 2004 |title=Montreal Expos vs Kansas City Royals Box Score: June 8, 2004 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA200406080.shtml |access-date=August 31, 2013 |work=Baseball Reference}} In 24 starts, Greinke finished the 2004 season with an 8–11 record and a 3.97 ERA.

On June 10, 2005, Greinke recorded his first major league hit; a home run off Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Russ Ortiz in a 12–11 loss. However, he also allowed 15 hits and 11 runs in that game. The 15 hits allowed tied a franchise record, while the 11 runs set a club record.{{cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=June 11, 2005 |title=Royals fall after furious comeback |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050611&content_id=1084966&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221220930/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050611&content_id=1084966&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=June 10, 2014 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} In 2005, Greinke led the American League in losses, finishing with a 5–17 record and a 5.80 ERA in 33 starts.

Greinke was sometimes quiet and awkward in the clubhouse. To alleviate some of his anxiety and solitude, the Royals made arrangements for him to live with Royals Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett.{{cite web |last=Passan |first=Jeff |date=April 29, 2009 |title=Greinke's redemption and pursuit of perfection |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-greinke043009 |access-date=September 13, 2012 |work=Yahoo Sports}} Still, by the 2005–2006 off-season he nearly quit baseball; Greinke later remarked that, at the time, he did not expect to return.{{cite news |last=Hunt |first=Michael |date=February 22, 2011 |title=Greinke man of few words but speaks his mind |url=https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/116707264.html/ |access-date=October 3, 2011 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}} He left spring training for personal reasons in late February 2006.{{cite web |last=Eskew |first=Alan |date=April 5, 2007 |title=Greinke edged in duel with Dice-K |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070405&content_id=1881118&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408011226/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070405&content_id=1881118&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=July 18, 2009 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} It was later revealed that he was diagnosed with depression and a social anxiety disorder.{{cite magazine |last=Donovan |first=John |date=March 15, 2007 |title='A long way to go' Greinke battles depression in bid for K.C. rotation |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/john_donovan/03/15/royals.greinke/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317193401/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/john_donovan/03/15/royals.greinke/index.html |archive-date=March 17, 2007 |access-date=September 19, 2015 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=CNN}} He reported back to the Royals' spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona, on April 17, where he underwent ongoing pitching sessions. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list due to psychological issues and took time away from baseball entirely.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Matt |date=June 12, 2012 |title=Zack Greinke faces former team Kansas City Royals |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/06/zack-greinke-faces-former-team-kansas-city-royals/1#.UMSWkXdCpio |access-date=December 9, 2012 |work=USA Today}} He began seeing a sports psychologist and taking anti-depressant medication. Greinke only made three appearances out of the bullpen in 2006, and finished the year 1–0 with a 4.26 ERA.

In 2007, Greinke returned to the Royals rotation at the start of the season, but was assigned to the bullpen in early May.{{cite web |last=Nicholl |first=Conor |date=May 23, 2007 |title=Notes: Greinke thriving as reliever |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070523&content_id=1981729&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526070431/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070523&content_id=1981729&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=May 26, 2007 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} In 52 appearances (14 starts), Greinke finished 2007 with a 7–7 record, one save, and a 3.69 ERA.

Greinke returned to the rotation in 2008 and performed well that season. He made 32 starts in 2008 and finished with a 13–10 record along with 183 strikeouts. His 3.47 ERA was the best by a full-time Royals starter in 11 years. On January 26, 2009, he agreed to a four-year contract with the Royals worth $38 million.{{cite news |date=January 26, 2009 |title=Royals lock up young ace Greinke |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3861561 |access-date=June 1, 2014 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}

After ending the 2008 season with 15 scoreless innings, Greinke started off 2009 by not allowing a run in his first 24 innings, which meant that for 39 innings in a row, he had not given up a run.{{cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=April 30, 2009 |title=Greinke first in Majors to win five games |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090429&content_id=4493384&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607065645/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090429&content_id=4493384&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=June 7, 2009 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} Greinke was named American League (AL) Pitcher of the Month for April, his five wins, 0.50 ERA and 44 strikeouts all tops in the Majors.{{cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=May 5, 2009 |title=Greinke tops among AL hurlers in April |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090505&content_id=4571458&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605080852/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090505&content_id=4571458&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=June 5, 2009 |access-date=December 9, 2009 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} On August 25, Greinke struck out 15 batters, breaking Mark Gubicza's team record for strikeouts in a single game.{{cite web |last=Dodd |first=Rustin |date=August 26, 2009 |title=Greinke's KC-record 15 K's wow Tribe |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090825&content_id=6617006&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006111116/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090825&content_id=6617006&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2009 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} On August 30, Greinke had a one-hit complete game against the Seattle Mariners.{{cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=August 30, 2009 |title=Greinke throws one-hitter to blank Mariners |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090830&content_id=6690226&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905202501/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090830&content_id=6690226&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=September 5, 2009 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}}

Greinke's record for the 2009 season was 16–8, and he posted an ERA of 2.16, the lowest in MLB. On October 21, he was named American League Pitcher of the Year by Sporting News.{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |date=October 21, 2009 |title=Greinke earns SN's AL pitcher honor |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091021&content_id=7514112&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027064231/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091021&content_id=7514112&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=October 27, 2009 |access-date=May 28, 2014 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} On October 28, Greinke was awarded the MLBPA Players Choice AL Pitcher of the Year. On November 17, 2009, he won the AL Cy Young Award.{{cite web |last=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=November 17, 2009 |title=Greinke gets one more win: AL Cy Young |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091115&content_id=7669424&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302133152/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091115&content_id=7669424&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |access-date=September 18, 2012 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Greinke credited some of his performance to his use of "modern pitching metrics" — statistics on team defense and defense independent pitching statistics — to calibrate his own approach to pitching. Greinke specifically mentioned FIP (fielding independent pitching), an indicator developed by sabermetrician Tom Tango, as his favorite statistic. "That's pretty much how I pitch, to try to keep my FIP as low as possible.{{cite news|first = Tyler|last = Kepner|title = Use of Statistics Helps Greinke to A.L. Cy Young|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/sports/baseball/18pitcher.html|work = The New York Times|date = November 17, 2009|access-date = November 18, 2009}}

Despite a stellar 2009 season, his performance in 2010 began to regress as he finished the year 10–14 with a 4.17 ERA and 181 strikeouts.

On December 17, 2010, Greinke reportedly asked the Royals to trade him, claiming that he was not motivated to play for a rebuilding team.{{cite news |last=Andriesen |first=David |date=December 18, 2010 |title=Greinke demands trade from Royals |url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2010/12/18/former-cy-young-winner-demands-trade-from-royals/ |access-date=July 9, 2020 |work=KCBS-TV}} The Royals were unlikely to afford signing Greinke to a long-term deal once he became a free agent, so they agreed to trade him for some quality prospects.{{cite web |last=Fusfeld |first=Adam |date=December 20, 2010 |title=What Trading Zack Greinke Means For The Royals Playoff Hopes… In 2013 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/what-trading-zack-greinke-means-for-the-royals-playoff-hopes-in-2013-2010-12 |access-date=May 28, 2014 |work=Business Insider}} On December 19, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers with Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 million for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jeremy Jeffress, and Jake Odorizzi. He was given the number 13, instead of his preferred number 23, due to number 23 already being issued to Rickie Weeks.{{Cite news |author=McCalvy |first=Adam |date=December 19, 2010 |title=Brewers add Greinke in deal with Royals |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101219&content_id=16345284&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221120139/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101219&content_id=16345284&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-date=December 21, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2010 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Greinke would later admit that he handled the trade request poorly, saying that he was "pretty rude" on the way out,{{cite web |last=Passan |first=Jeff |date=June 13, 2012 |title=Greinke admits he was bad guy in Royals saga |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/zack-greinke-admits-he-was-bad-guy-in-kansas-city-saga.html |access-date=May 28, 2014 |work=Yahoo Sports}} but the deal worked out well for both teams.{{cite web |last=Pleskoff |first=Bernie |date=March 29, 2012 |title=Royals poised to reap benefits of Greinke trade |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120328&content_id=27718292&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329234705/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120328&content_id=27718292&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |access-date=May 28, 2014 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

In February 2011, before reporting to his first spring training with the Brewers, Greinke suffered a fractured rib while playing basketball.{{cite magazine |last=Heyman |first=Jon |date=March 8, 2011 |title=Greinke's childish mistake costs Brewers after big investment |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2011/03/09/brewers-zackgreinke |access-date=July 14, 2015 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} He started the 2011 season on the disabled list.{{cite web |last=McCalvy |first=Adam |date=March 30, 2011 |title=Mound work first step in long rehab for Greinke |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110330&content_id=17203494¬ebook_id=17203502&vkey=notebook_mil&c_id=mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221222442/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110330&content_id=17203494¬ebook_id=17203502&vkey=notebook_mil&c_id=mil |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Milwaukee Brewers |publisher=MLB.com}}

File:Zackgreinkebrewers.TIF]]

Greinke made his Brewers debut in the second game of a doubleheader on May 4, 2011.{{cite web |last=Curtright |first=Guy |date=May 5, 2011 |title=No second thoughts about Greinke's timetable |url=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110505&content_id=18661786¬ebook_id=18661776&vkey=notebook_mil&c_id=mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051125/http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110505&content_id=18661786¬ebook_id=18661776&vkey=notebook_mil&c_id=mil |archive-date=June 5, 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2014 |work=Milwaukee Brewers |publisher=MLB.com}} Despite missing the first month of the season because of his injury, Greinke finished second on the team in wins with a 16–6 record in 28 starts. He also had a 3.83 ERA, and 201 strikeouts (seventh in the National League (NL)) in 171 innings pitched while surrendering just 45 walks.{{cite web |title=Zack Greinke Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greinza01.shtml |access-date=October 3, 2011 |work=Baseball Reference}}{{Cite web |title=2011 National League Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2011-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} Greinke became only the fifth Brewer pitcher to strike out 200+ batters in a season. He was fourth in the NL in won-lost percentage (.727) and sixth in wins. He went a perfect 11–0 in his starts at Miller Park, the Brewers' home stadium.{{cite web |title=Zack Grienke 2011 Pitching Gamelogs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=greinza01&t=p&year=2011 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Baseball Reference}}

On April 7, 2012, the Brewers defeated the Cardinals 6–0 in Greinke's first start of the season after he pitched seven scoreless innings while giving up four hits and striking out seven.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2012 |title=Greinke solid as Brewers beat Cardinals |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/brewers-cardinals-recap-3/ |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=Sportsnet |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

In an oddity, Greinke became the first pitcher to start three straight games in the Majors in 95 years. On July 7, he was ejected from the game after just four pitches for angrily throwing the ball into the ground following a close play at first base. The following day, Greinke started again, but lasted only until the third inning.{{cite news |last=Boeck |first=Scott |date=July 13, 2012 |title=Greinke's rubber arm: To start third consecutive game |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/07/zack-greinke-milwaukee-brewers-three-consecutive-starts/1#.UALOcPVgFQ4 |access-date=July 15, 2012 |work=USA Today}} The All-Star break followed, and Greinke was the Brewers' starter on July 13, the team's next game. Greinke's third start ended after five innings. Before this, the most recent pitcher to start three consecutive games was Red Faber in 1917, who started both games of a September 3 doubleheader, throwing just six innings in total, followed by a complete game win the following day.{{cite news |last=Kartje |first=Ryan |date=July 8, 2012 |title=Brewers to start Greinke three straight games |url=http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/brewers-to-start-greinke-three-straight-games-070812 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125532/http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/brewers-to-start-greinke-three-straight-games-070812 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=July 14, 2015 |work=Fox Sports Wisconsin}}

To begin 2012, Greinke made 21 starts with the Brewers and had a 9–3 record, 120 strikeouts, and a 3.44 ERA.{{cite news |last=Haudricourt |first=Tom |date=July 27, 2012 |title=Brewers trade Zach Greinke for 3 Angels Prospects |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/164085936.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730094944/http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/164085936.html |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |access-date=September 19, 2015 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

Despite his success with the Brewers, the team was struggling and not likely to make a playoff run. When talks on a contract extension broke down, the team traded Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on July 27, 2012, in exchange for top infield prospect Jean Segura and pitchers Ariel Peña and Johnny Hellweg. Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin remarked that it was one of the tougher decisions he had to make because he was fond of Greinke.

Greinke made his first start for the Angels on July 29.{{cite web |title=Zack Greinke 2012 Pitching Gamelogs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=greinza01&t=p&year=2012 |access-date=September 13, 2012 |work=Baseball Reference}} After a stretch of four unproductive starts from August 3–19 (1–1, 7.20 ERA in 25 innings), Greinke followed up with four consecutive starts of at least seven innings and two or fewer runs — all of them wins. In those starts, he produced a 1.88 ERA in {{fraction|28|1|3}} innings.

Greinke became the first pitcher since 1920 to record 13 strikeouts in five innings or less in a game against the Seattle Mariners on September 25. He then combined with four other Angels pitchers to tie an American League record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game.{{cite web |date=September 26, 2012 |title=Zack Greinke strikes out 13 as Angels hold steady in wild-card chase |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320925103 |access-date=December 9, 2012 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} He finished his time with the Angels with a 6–2 record and a 3.53 ERA in 13 starts. Overall in 2012, combined with both teams, Greinke made 34 starts with a 15–5 record, 200 strikeouts, and a 3.48 ERA.

Greinke agreed to a six-year free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $147 million, on December 8, 2012. The deal, which was finalized on December 10, was the largest ever for a right-handed pitcher at the time it was signed.{{cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=December 11, 2012 |title=Greinke's six-year deal with Dodgers finalized |url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121208&content_id=40585162&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210183023/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121208&content_id=40585162&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |archive-date=December 10, 2012 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Los Angeles Dodgers |publisher=MLB.com}} It was surpassed a year later by Félix Hernández's seven-year, $175 million contract extension with the Seattle Mariners.{{cite web |last=Booth |first=Tim |date=February 13, 2013 |title=Felix Hernandez Contract: Mariners Sign Pitcher To 7-Year Deal |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/13/felix-hernandez-contract-mariners_n_2682651.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426233022/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/13/felix-hernandez-contract-mariners_n_2682651.html |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |access-date=April 25, 2014 |work=The Huffington Post}} Greinke later explained that he chose the Dodgers over the Texas Rangers, who also were pursuing him, primarily because they offered more money.{{cite web |last=Heyman |first=Jon |date=February 25, 2013 |title=Greinke admits money was reason, made Texas offer before LA deal |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/greinke-admits-money-was-reason-made-texas-offer-before-la-deal/ |access-date=May 28, 2014 |work=CBS Sports}}

On April 11, 2013, Greinke fractured his left collarbone in a brawl with Carlos Quentin of the San Diego Padres after Quentin was hit by an inside pitch and charged the mound.{{cite web |date=April 12, 2013 |title=LA Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke breaks left collarbone in brawl with slugger Carlos Quentin, San Diego Padres |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/basebrawl-padres-dodgers-charge-mound-fight-article-1.1314626 |access-date=April 12, 2013 |work=New York Daily News |agency=Associated Press}} He was placed on the disabled list and it was revealed that he would require surgery,{{cite web |last=Emerick |first=Tyler |date=April 12, 2013 |title=Greinke to miss eight weeks following surgery |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130412&content_id=44593498 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022201219/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130412&content_id=44593498 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |access-date=April 12, 2013 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} which was performed on April 13.{{cite web |last= |date=April 14, 2013 |title=Zack Greinke undergoes surgery |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/9169176/los-angeles-dodgers-zack-greinke-surgery-collarbone |access-date=May 29, 2014 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} It was estimated that he would miss eight weeks of the season. However, he returned to action on May 10 when he pitched in a rehab game for the Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.{{cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=May 11, 2013 |title=Greinke thinks he's ready to return to LA |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130511&content_id=47185572&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023084111/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130511&content_id=47185572&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |access-date=May 11, 2013 |work=Los Angeles Dodgers |publisher=MLB.com}} He returned to the Dodgers on May 15, tossing {{Fraction|5|1|3}} innings of one-run ball and striking out four to earn the win.{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2013 |title=Zack Greinke makes strong return from DL, leads Dodgers to win |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/330515119 |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

On June 11, 2013, Greinke was hit in the head and neck area by Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. Because Greinke did not participate in the brawl, he was unaffected.{{cite news |date=June 12, 2013 |title=Brawl after beanballs between LA Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, coaches from both teams participate in fight |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/dodgers-backs-managers-coaches-involved-brawl-sparked-beanballs-article-1.1370111 |access-date=May 29, 2014 |work=New York Daily News |agency=Associated Press}}

File:Zack Greinke on September 17, 2013.jpg]]

Greinke picked up his 100th career win on August 5, 2013, against the St. Louis Cardinals.{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2013 |title=Dodgers top Cards for 15th straight road win |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/330805124 |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} He was 5–0 with a 1.23 ERA during the month of August and was selected as National League Pitcher of the Month.{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Zack Greinke wins NL Pitcher of the Month for August |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/4/4530970/zack-greinke-national-league-pitcher-of-the-month-dodgers |access-date=September 19, 2015 |work=True Blue LA |publisher=SB Nation}} Greinke finished his first season with the Dodgers with a 15–4 record and 2.63 ERA in 28 starts. He also batted .328, the highest batting average for a Dodgers pitcher since Orel Hershiser in the 1993 season.{{cite web |last=Laymance |first=Austin |date=September 28, 2013 |title=Greinke sharp in final tuneup for postseason |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/greinke-sharp-in-final-tuneup-for-postseason/c-62102514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920024538/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/62102514/ |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |access-date=September 19, 2015 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He was awarded with the Silver Slugger Award as the best hitting pitcher in the National League.{{cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=November 6, 2013 |title=Greinke named Silver Slugger Award winner |url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/63735818/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715014110/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/63735818/ |archive-date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=July 14, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Dodgers |publisher=MLB.com}}

Greinke began the 2014 season by setting an MLB record with 22 straight starts (dating back to July 2013) where he allowed two or fewer earned runs.{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=May 5, 2014 |title=Dodgers vs. Nationals: Zack Greinke starts opener |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2014/5/5/5683914/zack-greinke-dodgers-nationals-preview |access-date=May 6, 2014 |work=True Blue LA |publisher=SB Nation}}{{cite web |last=Bloom |first=Earl |date=May 28, 2014 |title=Ethier's four RBIs help Greinke snag eighth win |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-andre-ethiers-four-rbis-help-zack-greinke-to-eighth-win/c-77052370 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920024412/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/77052370/dodgers-andre-ethiers-four-rbis-help-zack-greinke-to-eighth-win |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2014 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He was selected to the National League squad at the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=July 6, 2014 |title=Clayton Kershaw, Yasiel Puig lead 4 Dodgers named to All-Star team |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2014/7/6/5873401/clayton-kershaw-yasiel-puig-zack-greinke-dee-gordon-dodgers-2014-all-star-game |access-date=July 6, 2014 |work=True Blue LA |publisher=SB Nation}} and finished the season with a 17–8 record and a 2.71 ERA in 32 starts, the highest win total in his career. He won the Gold Glove Award as the best fielding pitcher in the National League.{{cite web |last=Weisman |first=Jon |date=November 4, 2014 |title=Adrian Gonzalez, Zack Greinke win Gold Gloves |url=http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2014/11/04/adrian-gonzalez-zack-greinke-win-gold-gloves/?adbid=529797550472065025&adbpl=tw&adbpr=23043294&partnerId=as_lad_20141105_35027887 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105030631/http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2014/11/04/adrian-gonzalez-zack-greinke-win-gold-gloves/?adbid=529797550472065025&adbpl=tw&adbpr=23043294&partnerId=as_lad_20141105_35027887 |archive-date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=November 4, 2014 |work=Dodger Insider}}

When Justin Upton of the San Diego Padres homered against Greinke in the eighth inning on June 13, 2015, it was the last run he surrendered until the All-Star break.{{cite news |last=Greenberg |first=Neil |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2015/07/16/zack-greinkes-era-should-be-higher-than-it-is/ |title=Zack Greinke's ERA should be higher than it is |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 16, 2015 |access-date=July 19, 2015}} Greinke was then selected to the All-Star Game, his second straight appearance,{{cite web |last=Shaikin |first=Bill |date=July 6, 2015 |title=Four Dodgers selected to NL All-Star team, but not Clayton Kershaw |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-sn-dodgers-all-star-greinke-grandal-pederson-gonzalez-kershaw-20150706-story.html |access-date=July 6, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times}} and chosen to be the starting pitcher for the National League squad. At that point in the season, Greinke carried a major league-leading 1.48 ERA with a 7–2 record.{{cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Alden |date=July 14, 2015 |title=Greinke chosen to start All-Star Game for NL |url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/136520410/zack-greinke-to-start-all-star-game-for-nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714215915/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/136520410/zack-greinke-to-start-all-star-game-for-nl |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=July 14, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Dodgers |publisher=MLB.com}} After Greinke retired 28 consecutive batters over a span of two starts, Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor ended the streak in the third inning on July 19.{{cite web |last=Emert |first=Jacob |date=July 19, 2015 |title=Greinke has Hershiser's legendary streak in sight |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-retires-28-straight-batters/c-137395016 |access-date=July 19, 2015 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

Greinke's recorded a scoreless innings streak which reached 45 innings; it started on June 18 and ended on July 26 start against the New York Mets at Citi Field and is the sixth-longest streak in MLB history. He shared the NL Player of the Week honors with his teammate Clayton Kershaw for July 13–19.{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=July 20, 2015 |title=Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke share NL Player of the Week honors |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2015/7/20/9006211/clayton-kershaw-zack-greinke-player-of-the-week-national-league-dodgers |access-date=July 20, 2015 |work=True Blue LA |publisher=SB Nation}} Greinke finished the 2015 season with a 19–3 record, 200 strikeouts, and a major-league-best 1.66 ERA.{{cite web |title=Zack Greinke 2015 Pitching Gamelogs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=greinza01&t=p&year=2015 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |work=Baseball Reference}} His ERA was the second lowest in Dodgers history behind Rube Marquard in 1916, and his ERA+ (225) and major-league-leading WHIP (0.844) were the best in franchise history.{{Cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Pitchers » Advanced Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=11,a |website=FanGraphs}}{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=October 21, 2015 |title=2015 Dodgers review: Zack Greinke, Mr. Consistent |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2015/10/21/9578755/zack-greinke-2015-dodgers-review |access-date=October 21, 2015 |work=True Blue LA |publisher=SB Nation}} He led all major league pitchers in left on base percentage, stranding 86.5% of base runners.{{Cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Pitchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sortcol=12&sortdir=default&pagenum=1 |website=FanGraphs}}

Greinke pitched in two games in the 2015 National League Division Series against the New York Mets. He allowed five runs in {{fraction|13|2|3}} innings and took the loss in the deciding fifth game in the series.{{cite web |title=2015 NL Division Series (3-2): New York Mets (90-72) over Los Angeles Dodgers (92-70) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2015_NLDS2.shtml |access-date=October 16, 2015 |work=Baseball Reference}} At the conclusion of the series, it was announced that he would opt out of the last three years of his contract with the Dodgers and become a free agent.{{cite web |last=Heyman |first=Jon |date=October 16, 2015 |title=Zack Greinke to opt out of Dodgers contract, command a big deal |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/zack-greinke-to-opt-out-of-dodgers-contract-command-a-big-deal/ |access-date=October 16, 2015 |work=CBS Sports}} He officially opted out on November 3.{{cite web |last=Shaikin |first=Bill |date=November 4, 2015 |title=Zack Greinke opts out of Dodgers contract, hits free agency |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-zack-greinke-opts-out-of-dodgers-contract-hits-free-agency-20151104-story.html |access-date=November 4, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

After the season, Greinke was selected as the Outstanding National League Pitcher at the Players Choice Awards,{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=November 9, 2015 |title=Players vote Zack Greinke as NL Outstanding Pitcher in 2015 |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2015/11/9/9702836/zack-greinke-mlb-players-outstanding-pitcher-national-league |access-date=November 9, 2015 |work=True Blue LA |publisher=SB Nation}} and won his second Gold Glove Award.{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Doug |date=November 10, 2015 |title=Defensive standouts nab Gold Glove Awards |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/gold-glove-winners-announced/c-156972846 |access-date=November 10, 2015 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Greinke finished second in the NL Cy Young Award voting to Jake Arrieta.{{cite web |title=Baseball Awards Voting for 2015 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2015.shtml#NLcya |access-date=December 25, 2015 |website=Baseball Reference}}

File:Zack Greinke on February 27, 2016.jpg

On December 8, 2015, Greinke signed a six-year, $206.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Steve |date=December 11, 2015 |title=D-backs and Greinke finalize 6-year contract |url=https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/d-backs-zack-greinke-finalize-6-year-deal/c-159097870 |access-date=December 11, 2015 |work=Arizona Diamondbacks |publisher=MLB.com}} Greinke started on Opening Day 2016 at Chase Field against the Colorado Rockies; he gave up seven runs in four innings, including two home runs to rookie shortstop Trevor Story, who was making his MLB debut. The Diamondbacks lost the game 10–5.{{cite web |last=Longenhagen |first=Eric |date=April 5, 2016 |title=Trevor Story, Rockies ruin Zack Greinke's Diamondbacks debut |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/69517/trevor-story-rockies-ruin-zack-greinkes-diamondbacks-debut |access-date=April 5, 2016 |website=ESPN}} In his second start, on April 9, Greinke matched up against Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs. He allowed three runs in the first inning, and struggled through the rest of his outing. The Diamondbacks lost the game 4–2.{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2016 |title=Greinke roughed up again, Cubs beat Diamondbacks |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/360409129 |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} Greinke got his first win as a Diamondback on April 19, 2016, against the San Francisco Giants, allowing just one run in over six innings of work.{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2016 |title=Greinke outduels Bumgarner, Castillo homers in Diamondbacks' win over Giants |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2016/04/21/greinke-outduels-bumgarner-castillo-homers-diamondbacks-win-over-giants/83310804/ |website=The Arizona Republic}}{{cite web |last1=Rymer |first1=Zachary D. |date=April 9, 2016 |title=How Worried Should Diamondbacks Be About $206.5 Million Man Zack Greinke? |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2631707-how-worried-should-diamondbacks-be-about-2065-million-man-zack-greinke |access-date=April 10, 2016 |website=Bleacher Report}} On July 3, 2016, Greinke was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a left oblique strain.{{cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Steve |date=July 3, 2016 |title=Greinke hits DL with left oblique strain |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/d-backs-pitcher-zack-greinke-placed-on-dl-c187693422 |access-date=July 3, 2016 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{cite web |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Greinke frustrated by slow recovery from oblique injury |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17114771/zack-greinke-arizona-diamondbacks-frustrated-slow-recovery-injury |access-date=July 21, 2016 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} On August 24, 2016, he recorded his 2000th career strikeout in the Diamondbacks' 10–9 win over Atlanta Braves.{{cite web |last=Rill |first=Jake |date=August 24, 2016 |title=Greinke reaches 2,000-strikeout milestone |url=https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/d-backs-zack-greinke-gets-2-000th-strikeout-c197527950 |access-date=August 25, 2016 |website=Arizona Diamondbacks |publisher=MLB.com}} Greinke made 26 starts in his first season with Arizona, and he had a 13–7 record and a 4.37 ERA in {{frac|158|2|3}} innings. He won his third consecutive Gold Glove Award after the season.{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2016 |title=Zack Greinke wins Rawlings Gold Glove Award |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/zack-greinke-wins-rawlings-gold-glove-award-208427902 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

In 2017, Greinke was selected to the NL All-Star team, his fourth All-Star selection. At the time of his selection he was 10–4 with a 3.05 ERA in {{frac|109|1|3}} innings, 128 strikeouts (10.21 strikeouts per nine innings), WHIP of 1.02 and a .219 opponents batting average.{{cite news |last=Gardner |first=Steve |date=July 10, 2017 |title=Resurgent Diamondbacks well-represented at All-Star Game |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/07/11/diamondbacks-all-star-game-paul-goldschmidt-zack-greinke/466760001/ |access-date=September 17, 2017 |work=USA Today}} On September 16 versus the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park, he completed eight shutout innings with two hits allowed and eight strikeouts as Arizona won, 2−0. His game score of 90 was the second-best of his career, and he also hit two doubles at the plate.{{cite news |last1=Hawthorne |first1=Jonathan |last2=Simon |first2=Alex |date=September 16, 2017 |title=Greinke brilliant, Goldy homers to beat Giants |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/d-backs-zack-greinke-gets-win-vs-giants-c254658370 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} In 32 starts in 2017, Greinke finished with a 17–7 record, 215 strikeouts, and a 3.20 ERA in {{frac|202|1|3}} innings. The Diamondbacks finished with a 93–69 record and clinched a Wild Card spot, but lost to the Dodgers in the Division Series. Greinke won his fourth consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award after the 2017 season. He also finished fourth in the Cy Young voting behind Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Stephen Strasburg.{{cite web |date=November 15, 2017 |title=Back-to-back: Nationals' Max Scherzer wins 2nd consecutive Cy Young, 3rd overall |url=https://bbwaa.com/17-nl-cy/ |access-date=November 15, 2017 |work=BBWAA}}

Greinke was once again named an All-Star in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Daniel |date=July 12, 2018 |title=Greinke to replace Lester on NL All-Star roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-to-join-nl-all-star-team-c285481132 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He finished the season with a 15–11 record and a 3.21 ERA in 33 starts.{{Cite web |last=Zarett |first=E. Jay |date=October 10, 2018 |title=MLB trade rumors: Diamondbacks would 'love to move' ace Zack Greinke |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-trade-rumors-news-2018-arizona-diamondbacks-love-move-ace-zack-greinke/17k7588el4adx1lrbvvicd2gzf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011072554/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-trade-rumors-news-2018-arizona-diamondbacks-love-move-ace-zack-greinke/17k7588el4adx1lrbvvicd2gzf |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |website=The Sporting News}} Following the season, he won his fifth consecutive Gold Glove Award.{{Cite web |last=Randhawa |first=Manny |date=November 4, 2018 |title=Greinke, Ahmed earn Gold Glove Awards |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-nick-ahmed-win-gold-glove-awards-c300228950 |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |language=en}}

On April 2, 2019, Greinke hit two home runs and struck out 10 as the Diamondbacks won 8–5 against the Padres.{{cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Steve |date=April 3, 2019 |title=Zack Greinke homers twice as D'backs win 8-5 over Padres |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-homers-against-padres |access-date=April 3, 2019 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} In 2019 with Arizona before he was traded, he was 10–4 with a 2.90 ERA.

Greinke batted .271 with three home runs and 8 RBI with the Diamondbacks in 2019, earning him his second career Silver Slugger Award.{{Cite web |last=McLennan |first=Jim |date=November 7, 2019 |title=Zack Greinke wins 2019 Silver Slugger |url=https://www.azsnakepit.com/2019/11/7/20954351/zack-greinke-wins-2019-silver-slugger |website=AZ Snake Pit |publisher=SB Nation}}

On July 31, 2019, the Diamondbacks traded Greinke to the Houston Astros with cash considerations for four minor league prospects: Corbin Martin, J. B. Bukauskas, Seth Beer, and Joshua Rojas.{{cite web |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Astros deal for Greinke in Deadline stunner |url=https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/zack-greinke-astros-trade |access-date=October 10, 2019 |work=Arizona Diamondbacks |publisher=MLB.com}} The Diamondbacks also agreed to pay $24 million of Greinke's remaining $77 million salary.

On September 14, 2019, against the Kansas City Royals, Greinke became the 19th pitcher in MLB history to win a game against all 30 MLB franchises.{{Cite web |last1=DeRosa |first1=Theo |last2=Randhawa |first2=Manny |last3=Maguire |first3=Brent |date=June 28, 2024 |title=There are now 22 pitchers who have defeated all 30 teams |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/pitchers-who-have-beaten-all-30-teams |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |language=en}} In 2019 with the Astros, he was 8–1 with a 3.02 ERA. Between the two teams, in 2019 he was 18–5 with a 2.93 ERA, as in 208.2 innings (sixth in the majors) over 33 starts he walked only 30 batters (1.3 walks per nine innings, the best ratio of his career and third-best in the major leagues), and had a WHIP of 0.982 (fifth-best in the major leagues). At the plate, he batted .280/.308/.580 with three home runs and 8 RBI in 50 at bats. Greinke started Games 3 and 7 of the 2019 World Series for Houston. Greinke allowed two runs on two hits in {{frac|6|1|3}} innings in his Game 7 start.{{cite news |last=Footer |first=Alyson |date=October 31, 2019 |title=Greinke cruises in G7 start -- until his exit in 7th |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-world-series-game-7-start |access-date=October 31, 2019 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}{{cite news |last=Nightengale |first=Bob |title=Opinion: Astros' decision to pull Zack Greinke in Game 7 will face scrutiny forever |work=USA Today |date=October 31, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2019/10/31/zack-greinke-astros-game-7-world-series/4107308002/ |access-date=October 31, 2019}} He was pulled by manager A. J. Hinch in the seventh inning after surrendering a one-out home run to Anthony Rendon, followed by a walk to Juan Soto, with the Astros leading 2–1. He was replaced by Will Harris, who allowed a two-run home run to Howie Kendrick. The Astros lost the game 6–2, prompting questions by members of the media about Hinch's decision to pull Greinke.{{cite news |last=Powell |first=Michael |title=For Astros in the World Series, a Surprising Hook and a Sudden Fall |work=The New York Times |date=October 31, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/sports/nationals-astros-world-series-greinke.html |access-date=October 31, 2019}}

In 2020, Greinke produced a 3–3 record with a 4.03 ERA in 12 starts spanning 67 innings, and was second in the AL in walks per nine innings (1.209) and fourth in home runs per nine innings (0.806).{{Cite web |title=2020 American League Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2020-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}

On April 1, 2021, Greinke earned his first Opening Day win and 209th win overall as the Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics, 8–1, at the Oakland Coliseum. He pitched six scoreless innings, the 65th time his career he has produced at least six scoreless innings.{{cite news |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=April 2, 2021 |title=Greinke's gem lifts Astros to record OD win |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-astros-beat-athletics-on-opening-day?game_pk=634640 |access-date=October 23, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} In the May 25 contest versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, he reached 3,000 career innings, the 135th pitcher in major league history to achieve this milestone.{{cite web |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Kershaw's strong start gives Dodgers 9–2 win over Astros |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401227769 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} On June 4, 2021, Greinke threw a complete game for the first time since April 19, 2017. He allowed six hits with one run and one walk and three strikeouts in a 13–1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York.{{cite news |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=June 5, 2021 |title=Greinke hurls CG in Astros' 13-run onslaught |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-pitches-a-complete-game-in-win-over-blue-jays?game_pk=633815 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

In 2021, Greinke finished with an 11–6 record and 4.16 ERA over 30 games (29 starts). He ranked second in the AL in walks per nine innings (1.895) and fifth in WHIP (1.170) and home runs (30).{{Cite web |title=2021 American League Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2021-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} In the World Series versus the Atlanta Braves, Greinke started Game 4, recording four scoreless innings. At the plate, he singled in the second inning to become the first Astros pitcher to get a hit in World Series play.{{cite news |last=Beck |first=Jason |date=October 30, 2021 |title='Vintage Greinke' in potential farewell start |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-singles-in-world-series-game-4-2021 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} In Game 5, he was called in as a pinch hitter in the fourth inning and recorded a single, becoming the first pitcher to record a pinch hit in the World Series since Jack Bentley in {{wsy|1923}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/world-series-astros-zack-greinke-records-historic-pinch-hit-single-in-game-5/|title=World Series: Astros' Zack Greinke records historic pinch-hit single in Game 5|first=R. J.|last=Anderson|work=CBS Sports|date=October 31, 2021|access-date=November 1, 2021}} On November 3, 2021, Greinke was declared a free agent.{{cite news |last=Laymance |first=Reid |date=November 3, 2021 |title=Carlos Correa among 7 Astros declared free agents |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Carlos-Correa-seven-Astros-declared-free-agents-16589315.php |access-date=November 4, 2021 |work=Houston Chronicle}}

File:ZackGreinkeKcvsStl2023.jpg]]

Greinke expressed interest in finishing his career with the Royals, which he mentioned to George Brett during the 2021-22 lockout.{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Alec |date=April 7, 2022 |title=The tie that binds Royals greats Zack Greinke and George Brett: 'Do you have the room in the basement ready?' |url=https://theathletic.com/3235268/2022/04/07/the-tie-that-binds-royals-greats-zack-greinke-and-george-brett-do-you-have-the-room-in-the-basement-ready/ |work=The Athletic}} On March 16, 2022, Greinke signed a one-year, $13 million contract to return to the Royals.{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Anne |date=March 16, 2022 |title=Greinke reunites with Royals on 1-year deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/zack-greinke-deal-with-royals |accessdate=March 16, 2022 |work=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}} On March 31, Greinke was announced as the Royals' Opening Day starter, the first time he'd been given the role for the Royals since 2010, marking the largest gap between Opening Day pitching starts for the same team.{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Anne |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Greinke to make history as KC Opening Day starter (Again!) |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-royals-opening-day-starter |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He made his 500th career start on June 29 versus the Texas Rangers, going six innings in a 2−1 win.{{cite magazine |last=Foote |first=Jordan |date=June 29, 2022 |title='Student of the game' Zack Greinke notches win in 500th start |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/game-day/kc-royals-student-of-the-game-zack-greinke-notches-win-in-500th-start#gid=ci02a4f79a4000247d&pid=usatsi_18612406 |access-date=July 10, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Greinke finished 4–9 with a 3.68 ERA in 26 starts with the Royals in 2022.

Greinke re-signed with the Royals on a one-year contract worth $8.5 million on February 3, 2023.{{cite web |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Royals, Zack Greinke finalize $8.5M deal for 2023 season |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/03/royals-zack-greinke-finalize-85m-deal-for-2023-season/51251457/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203183525/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/03/royals-zack-greinke-finalize-85m-deal-for-2023-season/51251457/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |website=USA Today |agency=Associated Press}} On March 24, Greinke was named the Royals' Opening Day starter for the second consecutive year.{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2023 |title=Kansas City Royals on Twitter: "Back to Zack. For the second-consecutive year, Zack Greinke is our #OpeningDay starter. #WelcomeToTheCity " |url=https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1639297807193366530 |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}} On May 15, Greinke became the fifth pitcher (after Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Greg Maddux) to strike out 1,000 unique batters over his career.{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Anne |date=May 14, 2023 |title=Greinke becomes 5th pitcher to ring up 1,000 different batters |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-strikes-out-1000th-different-batter |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He became a free agent following the season.

Greinke throws six different pitches:

• Four-seam fastball — {{convert|88|-|92|mph}}
• Two-seam fastball — {{convert|86|-|91|mph}}
• Cutter — {{convert|85|-|89|mph}}
• Slider — {{convert|85|-|87|mph}}
• Curveball — {{convert|66|-|77|mph}}
• Changeup — {{convert|86|-|90|mph}}{{cite web |title=Zack Greinke PitchFx |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfx.aspx?playerid=1943&position=P |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=FanGraphs}}

His curveball has two speeds with different types of movement, and he will sometimes throw a curve that is more in the middle range combining the types of movement. His two-seamer is his most-used pitch against right-handed hitters and is used more frequently than against lefties, as is his slider. His changeup is thrown only to left-handed hitters. Greinke's curveball is typically used early in the count, while his slider is his most common two-strike pitch.{{cite web |last=Apostoleris |first=Lucas |date=December 21, 2010 |title=Greinke's Pitches |url=http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2010/12/21/1889564/greinkes-pitches |access-date=February 10, 2014 |work=Beyond the Box Score |publisher=SB Nation}}

Greinke's slider has been one of his more effective pitches. Hitters have only a .154 batting average and .230 slugging percentage against the pitch. It has produced 51% of his strikeouts. Its whiff rate is 42%, and more than half the pitches put in play are ground balls.{{cite web |title=Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Zack Greinke |url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=425844 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408030055/http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=425844 |archive-date=April 8, 2012 |access-date=September 12, 2012 |work=Brooks Baseball}} However, he limits the use of the slider in order not to put excessive strain on his arm.{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Tim |date=May 15, 2014 |title=How Zack Greinke changed his approach to protect his elbow |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-zack-greinke-changed-his-approach-to-protect-his-elbow-050003006.html |access-date=May 29, 2014 |work=Yahoo Sports}}

Greinke has produced good strikeout-to-walk ratios throughout his career, finishing in his league's top 10 five times and ranking eighth among active pitchers in the category, at 3.76:1 as of the end of the 2017 regular season.{{cite web |title=Active Leaders & Records for Strikeouts / Base On Balls |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/strikeouts_per_base_on_balls_active.shtml |access-date=September 12, 2012 |work=Baseball Reference}}

Greinke has been described as a "scientist as a pitcher" and is known for preparing for each start more extensively than most.{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=December 13, 2012 |title=Zack Greinke on his pitching style |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2012/12/13/3762918/zack-greinke-pitching-style |access-date=May 29, 2014 |work=True Blue LA |publisher=SB Nation}}

Owing to his upright overhand pitching style, with a pause where the ball is hidden down next to his right knee before release, a forward-facing follow-through, and late movement that reaches the lower third of the strike zone, he is in an excellent position for fielding soft, short hits coming at him, which helped him gain many assists and six consecutive NL Gold Glove Awards as a pitcher. He was still awarded an NL Gold Glove in 2019 because he started the 2019 season in Arizona before being traded.

File:Zack Greinke (47664047441) (cropped).jpg]]

Greinke is a good hitting pitcher, having won two Silver Slugger Awards in his career with a .225 batting average. He has also amassed nine stolen bases over his career (on ten stolen base attempts), and he has expressed a desire to end his career with ten home runs and ten stolen bases; he has nine of each, with his last home run and stolen base each being in 2019. He entered Game 5 of the 2021 World Series as a pinch-hitter and recorded a hit, being the first pitcher to have a pinch hit in a World Series game since Jack Bentley of the New York Giants in {{wsy|1923}}.{{cite news |last=Beck |first=Jason |date=November 2, 2021 |title=Greinke makes history with pinch-hit single |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-pinch-hit-single-world-series-game-5-2021 |accessdate=November 2, 2021 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} As of {{currentyear}}, he is the last pitcher to have a hit in a postseason game, as the designated hitter was introduced in the National League in 2022, meaning that the pitcher is not required to hit at any point. In his fourth at-bat as a major leaguer, Greinke hit his first home run. Years later, when teammate Alex Gordon was in a slump, Greinke had the idea to take him into the video room and show the clip of his home run multiple times before leaving by saying, "Do more of that."{{cite news |date=March 4, 2017 |title=Zack Greinke once used a video of himself homering to inspire a slumping Alex Gordon |url=http://www.si.com/.amp/extra-mustard/2017/03/05/zack-greinke-home-run-motivate-alex-gordon |newspaper=Sports Illustrated}}

Greinke is married to Emily Kuchar, whom he met while attending Apopka High School. Kuchar is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and was Miss Daytona Beach USA 2008.{{cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |date=February 21, 2010 |title=Jerry Crasnick: Zack Greinke is a changed man |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2010/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=4933298 |access-date=October 3, 2011 |work=ESPN}}{{cite web |author=Kaegel |first=Dick |date=May 3, 2009 |title=Quiet Greinke making plenty of noise |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090503&content_id=4549912&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507145519/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090503&content_id=4549912&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=May 7, 2009 |access-date=October 3, 2011 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Their sons were born in 2015, 2017, and 2021.{{cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Bill |date=July 24, 2015 |title=Friday lineups: Baby Greinke has arrived, dad on his way back for Dodgers |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/friday-673743-greinke-lineups.html |access-date=July 26, 2015 |website=The Orange County Register}}{{cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Steve |date=June 8, 2017 |title=Zack Greinke to paternity list; Bracho up |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-to-paternity-list-bracho-up-c235176082 |access-date=October 10, 2019 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} They reside in Orlando, Florida.

Greinke's younger brother, Luke, was also a pitcher who played college baseball at Auburn University.{{cite web |title=Luke Greinke Auburn Tigers baseball bio |url=http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/greinke_luke00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219084400/http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/greinke_luke00.html |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=Auburn Tigers}} Luke was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 12th round (380th overall) of the 2008 MLB draft,{{cite web |last=Martino |first=Andy |date=June 19, 2008 |title=Luke Greinke is Yankees' cool hand in Single-A Staten Island |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/luke-greinke-yankees-cool-hand-single-a-staten-island-article-1.296146 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=New York Daily News}} but was out of baseball a year later because of injuries.{{cite web |last=Hale |first=Mark |date=July 18, 2009 |title=Brother of Royals ace battling injuries after being cut by Yanks |url=https://nypost.com/2009/07/18/brother-of-royals-ace-battling-injuries-after-being-cut-by-yanks/ |access-date=January 26, 2014 |work=New York Post}}

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{{Portal|Biography|Florida|Baseball}}

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{{Reflist}}

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{{baseballstats|mlb=425844|espn=5883|br=g/greinza01|fangraphs=1943|brm=greink001don|retro=G/Pgreiz001}}

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{{Succession box|title=American League Pitcher of the Month|years=April 2009|before=Jon Lester|after=Justin Verlander}}

{{Succession box|title=National League Pitcher of the Month|years=August 2013
July 2018|before=Clayton Kershaw
Jon Lester|after=Kris Medlen
Cole Hamels}}

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{{Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year}}

{{2002 MLB Draft}}

{{Kansas City Royals first-round draft picks}}

{{The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year Award}}

{{AL Cy Young}}

{{AL ERA champions}}

{{NL ERA champions}}

{{NL P Gold Glove Award}}

{{NL P Silver Slugger Award}}

{{Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year Award}}

{{Sporting News NL Starting Pitcher of the Year Award}}

{{P Fielding Bible Award}}

{{Roy Campanella Award}}

{{2019 All MLB Team}}

{{This Year in Baseball Starting Pitcher of the Year Award}}

{{Kansas City Royals Opening Day starting pitchers}}

{{Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day starting pitchers}}

{{Houston Astros Opening Day starting pitchers}}

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Category:1983 births

Category:American League All-Stars

Category:American League ERA champions

Category:American people of German descent

Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players

Category:Arizona League Diamondbacks players

Category:Baseball players from Orlando, Florida

Category:Brevard County Manatees players

Category:Cy Young Award winners

Category:Gold Glove Award winners

Category:Gulf Coast Royals players

Category:Houston Astros players

Category:Kansas City Royals players

Category:Living people

Category:Los Angeles Angels players

Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players

Category:Major League Baseball pitchers

Category:Milwaukee Brewers players

Category:Nashville Sounds players

Category:National League All-Stars

Category:National League ERA champions

Category:Omaha Royals players

Category:Omaha Storm Chasers players

Category:Rancho Cucamonga Quakes players

Category:Reno Aces players

Category:Silver Slugger Award winners

Category:Spokane Indians players

Category:Sugar Land Skeeters players

Category:Wichita Wranglers players

Category:Wilmington Blue Rocks players