Zack Littell

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Zack Littell

|image =

|team = Tampa Bay Rays

|number = 52

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|10|5}}

|birth_place = Mebane, North Carolina, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 5

|debutyear = 2018

|debutteam = Minnesota Twins

|statyear = June 6, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 30–26

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.88

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 418

|teams =

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2020}})
San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2023}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2023}}–present)

}}

Zachary Stuart Littell (born October 5, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox. Littell was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the Twins in 2018.

Early life

Littell attended Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane, North Carolina.{{Cite web|url=https://alamancenews.com/pitcher-from-mebane-joins-another-big-league-team/|title=Pitcher from Mebane joins another big-league team|date=February 1, 2023|website=alamancenews.com}}

Professional career

=Seattle Mariners (2013–17)=

Littell was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetimesnews.com/20130609/mariners-draft-eastern-alamance-pitcher-in-11th-round/306099907|title=Mariners draft Eastern Alamance pitcher in 11th round|first=Conor |last=O'Neill |work=Times-News|access-date=November 19, 2016}} He signed with Seattle, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Appalachian State University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=301102|title=Zack Littell Class of 2013 – Player Profile | Perfect Game USA|website=Perfect Game}} Littell made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Mariners. He was 0–6 with a 5.94 earned run average (ERA) and a 1.560 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) in {{frac|33|1|3}} innings in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=littel000zac|title=Zack Littell Minor Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

He pitched in 2014 for the Advanced Rookie League Pulaski Mariners, going 5–5 with a 4.52 ERA in 13 starts. Littell pitched in 2015 for the Single-A Clinton LumberKings, compiling a 3–6 record and 3.91 ERA in 21 starts.

He started 2016 with Clinton, and was promoted to the Bakersfield Blaze in July.{{cite web|url=http://www.mebaneenterprise.com/sports/article_0bfff1a0-4445-11e6-b535-3b0a73a44ae1.html|title=Littell called up to Cali, shuts down Rangers' affiliate|access-date=November 19, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/article94215212.html|title=Minors notebook: Littell lighting things up for the Blaze|access-date=November 19, 2016}} In 28 total games (27 starts) between the two clubs, Littell collected a 13–6 record, 2.66 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP.

=New York Yankees (2017)=

On November 18, 2016, the Mariners traded Littell to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher James Pazos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-acquire-a-pair-of-players-in-a-trade-with-the-rays-on-a-busy-day-of-roster-moves/|title=Mariners make two trades for three players, add three minor leaguers to the 40-man roster and move on from three others|date=November 18, 2016|website=The Seattle Times}} Littell started 2017 with the Tampa Yankees and was promoted to the Trenton Thunder in late June.

=Minnesota Twins (2017–20)=

On July 30, 2017, the Yankees traded Littell and pitcher Dietrich Enns to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitcher Jaime García and cash considerations.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-acquire-starting-pitcher-jaime-garcia-twins-report-article-1.3369155|title=Yankees acquire starting pitcher Jaime Garcia from Twins for two prospects|work=New York Daily News|first=Mike|last=Mazzeo|date=July 30, 2017|access-date=July 30, 2017}} The Twins then assigned him to the Chattanooga Lookouts where he finished the season. In 27 total games (25 starts) between Tampa, Trenton, and Chattanooga, he went 19–1 with a 2.12 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=641793#/career/R/pitching/2017/ALL|title=Zack Littell Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats |publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=March 25, 2018}} On November 20, 2017, the Twins added Littell to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://m.startribune.com/zack-littell-stephen-gonsalves-lewis-thorpe-added-to-twins-40-man-roster/458920863/?section=sports |title=Zack Littell, Stephen Gonsalves, Lewis Thorpe added to Twins' 40-man roster |work=Star Tribune |date=November 21, 2017 |access-date=December 7, 2017}}

Littell made his MLB debut on June 5, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimesnews.com/sports/20180605/from-mebane-to-majors-littell-set-for-twins-debut|title=From Mebane to the majors: Littell set for Twins debut|first=Bob|last=Sutton|website=The Times-News}} In eight games in the majors in 2018, Littell went 0–2 with a 6.20 ERA, 25 hits, 14 strikeouts, and 11 walks in {{fraction|20|1|3}} innings. In the minors, he was 6–9 with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.357 WHIP.

Littell moved to the bullpen full time in 2019. He went 6–0 in 29 games with a 2.68 ERA, 32 K, and 9 BB in 37 innings, while in the minors in 63 innings, he was 3–3 with a 3.71 ERA and 25 walks. He had a hard-hit rate of 52.5%.{{Cite web|url=https://zonecoverage.com/2021/mn-twins-news/why-the-twins-may-have-given-up-on-zach-littell-too-early/|title=Why the Twins May Have Given Up on Zack Littell Too Early|first=Preet|last=Shah|date=June 25, 2021|website=Zone Coverage}}

In 2020 in {{fraction|6|1|3}} innings he gave up five home runs among 12 hits. He had a 9.95 ERA with a 2.368 WHIP.[https://twitter.com/TulsaDrillers/status/1511401435992403978/photo/1 Tulsa Drillers on X] On September 17, 2020, Littell was outrighted off the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/twins-outright-zack-littell.html|title=Twins Outright Zack Littell|website=MLB Trade Rumors|author= Steve Adams |date= September 17, 2020 }} He became a free agent on November 2.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=September 17, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

=San Francisco Giants (2021–22)=

On February 3, 2021, Littell signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, and received an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2021/2/4/22265236/san-francisco-giants-zack-littell-minors|title=Giants sign RHP Zack Littell to a MiLB deal|first=Brady|last=Klopfer|date=February 4, 2021|website=McCovey Chronicles}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/giants-to-sign-zack-littell.html|title=Giants To Sign Zack Littell|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} The Giants promoted him to the major leagues on April 30.{{Cite web|title=Giants Select Zack Littell, Designate Skye Bolt|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/giants-select-zack-littell-designate-skye-bolt.html|access-date=August 12, 2021|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US}} In the 2021 regular season, Littell was 4–0 with a 2.92 ERA in 63 games (2 starts) covering {{frac|62|2|3}} innings in which he struck out 63 batters with the Giants; with Triple-A Sacramento, he had a 9.00 ERA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/litteza01.shtml|title=Zack Littell Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} His hard-hit percentage of 46.0% was in the bottom (worst) 5% of major league pitchers.{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/zack-littell-641793?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb|title=Zack Littell Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com|website=baseballsavant.com}}

On September 13, 2022, Giants manager Gabe Kapler came to the pitcher's mound to remove Littell from a game, after Littell had given up two earned runs on three hits and a walk on only 15 pitches.{{Cite web|url=https://dodgersway.com/2022/09/13/giants-drama-gabe-kapler-reliever-adds-dodgers-joy-video/|title=Giants drama between Gabe Kapler and reliever adds to Dodgers’ joy|date=September 13, 2022|website=Dodgers Way}} Littell slammed the ball into Kapler's hand and angrily told Kapler he wanted to remain in the game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/09/12/sf-giants-best-braves-behind-strong-pitching-with-some-heated-moments|title=Exhausted Giants beat Braves; Zack Littell has heated moment with Kapler|date=September 13, 2022|work=Mercury News|author= Shayna Rubin|accessdate=June 19, 2023}} The next day, the Giants demoted him to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/zack-littell-sent-triple-after-heated-exchange-giants-gabe-kapler|title=Giants option Littell after heated exchange with Kapler|author=Alex Pavlovic|date= September 13, 2022|work=NBC Sports|accessdate=June 19, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/zack-littell-sent-triple-heated-223015542.html|title=Zack Littell sent to Triple-A after heated exchange with Giants' Gabe Kapler|website=Yahoo|accessdate=June 19, 2023}}

In 2022, Littell was 3–3 with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.376 WHIP with the Giants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/litteza01.shtml|title=Zack Littell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA with Triple-A Sacramento. The Giants waived him off the 40-man roster on November 9, 2022. When no team chose to pick him up, the Giants outrighted him to Sacramento.{{cite web| url=https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2022/11/9/23450378/giants-transactions-dom-nunez-isan-diaz | title=Giants outright players, lose players, add Dom Núñez|author= Brady Klopfer|date=November 9, 2022}} He elected free agency 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 2, 2023|website=Baseball America|language=en}}

=Texas Rangers (2023)=

On January 12, 2023, Littell signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.{{Cite web|title=Rangers' Zack Littell: Signs minor-league deal|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rangers-zack-littell-signs-minor-league-deal/amp/|access-date=January 13, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He began the year with the Triple-A Round Rock Express, for whom he made eight appearances and recorded a 2.25 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched. The Rangers never called him up from the minor leagues.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/giants/news/former-sf-giants-red-sox-recall-zack-littell|title=Former SF Giants reliever briefly returns to MLB with Red Sox |work=Sports Illustrated }}

=Boston Red Sox (2023)=

On May 5, 2023, Littell was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web|title=Red Sox's Zack Littell: Traded to Boston|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-zack-littell-traded-to-boston/amp/|access-date=May 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was selected to Boston's active roster the next day.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Zack Littell: Active in big-league bullpen|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-zack-littell-active-in-big-league-bullpen/amp/|access-date=May 7, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In two relief appearances for Boston, he surrendered three hits, three walks, and three runs in three innings pitched, for a 9.00 ERA. Littell was designated for assignment on May 10, five days after being acquired.{{cite web|title=Red Sox’s Zack Littell: Loses 40-man spot|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-zack-littell-loses-40-man-spot/|access-date=May 10, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 10, 2023 |language=en}}

=Tampa Bay Rays (2023–present)=

On May 12, 2023, Littell was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.{{cite web|title=Rays’ Zack Littell: Claimed by Tampa Bay|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-zack-littell-claimed-by-tampa-bay/|access-date=May 12, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He pitched for both the Triple–A Durham Bulls (with whom he was 0-1 with an 18.00 ERA) and the Rays, which converted him into a starting pitcher. On August 4, he threw a career-high 6 innings, allowing no runs and earning a win against the Detroit Tigers.{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Wait, Zack Littell is a Starter Now?! |url=https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wait-zack-littell-is-a-starter-now/ |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=FanGraphs Baseball}} He ended the season 3-6, with a 4.10 ERA and 74 strikeouts between the two major league teams.

In 2024, Littell would make 29 starts for the Rays, posting a 3.63 ERA on the season with an 8-10 record and 141 strikeouts. Littell led the Rays in innings pitched for the season.

On May 31, 2025, Littell pitched a complete game against the Houston Astros; Littell gave up 10 hits and three earned runs while throwing 117 pitches.{{Cite web |title=Rays' red-hot bats back Littell's CG in a day for the record books |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/zack-littell-throws-complete-game-junior-caminero-hits-two-homers-in-rays-win |last=Berry |first=Adam |date=May 31, 2025 |access-date=June 6, 2025 |website=MLB.com}}