Zack Short

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Zack Short

|image = Zack Short (52833555758) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Short with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2023

|team = Houston Astros

|number =

|position = Infielder

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|5|29}}

|birth_place = Kingston, New York, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 21

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Detroit Tigers

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .167

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 13

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 60

|stat4label = Stolen bases

|stat4value = 10

|teams =

Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2023}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2024}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2024}})
Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

Zachary Ryan Short (born May 29, 1995) is an American professional baseball infielder in the Houston Astros organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves.

Amateur career

Short attended Kingston High School in Kingston, New York, and Sacred Heart University, where he played college baseball for the Sacred Heart Pioneers. In 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=733248&seasonid=29031 |title=#16 Zack Short - Profile |website=pointstreak.com |access-date=May 6, 2020}}

Professional career

=Chicago Cubs=

File:Zack Short (51011175646) (cropped).jpg in 2018]]

The Chicago Cubs selected Short in the 17th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite news |last1=Hubert |first1=Brian |title=Kingston High graduate Zack Short drafted by Chicago Cubs |url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/2016/06/11/kingston-high-graduate-zack-short-drafted-by-chicago-cubs/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=Daily Freeman |date=June 11, 2016}} After signing, Short spent his first professional season with both the Arizona League Cubs and Eugene Emeralds where he batted .257 with one home run and 31 RBIs in 53 games. He played 2017 with the South Bend Cubs and Myrtle Beach Pelicans, hitting for a combined .250/.383/.419 with 13 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 131 games, and 2018 with the Tennessee Smokies,{{cite web|author=Stephanie Lynn |url=http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2017/08/zack-short-leads-the-way-for-myrtle-beach/ |title=Zack Short Leads the Way for Myrtle Beach | Cubs Den |website=Chicagonow.com |date=August 7, 2017 |accessdate=May 30, 2021}}{{cite news|author=David Borges |url=https://www.nhregister.com/sports/article/Minor-Leagues-Sacred-Heart-products-Zack-Short-13149195.php |title=Minor Leagues: Sacred Heart products Zack Short, Jason Foley take different paths |newspaper=New Haven Register |date=August 11, 2018 |accessdate=May 30, 2021}} hitting .227 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs in 124 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=670097#/career/R/hitting/2019/ALL|title=Zack Short Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|website=MiLB.com|access-date=March 4, 2019}}

The Cubs invited Short to spring training in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/sports/kingston-high-alum-zack-short-starts-spring-as-non-roster-invitee-with-cubs/article_1b28e9b2-2ca4-11e9-b0ce-bb1056b215eb.html|title=Kingston High alum Zack Short starts spring as non-roster invitee with Cubs|first=Mike |last=Stribl |website=Daily Freeman|date=February 16, 2019}} He began 2019 with the Iowa Cubs,{{cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2019/04/04/chicago-cubs-ian-happ-iowa-cubs-minor-league-baseball-pacific-coast-league-icubs/3330027002/ |title=Breaking down the Iowa Cubs' 2019 opening day roster |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |date= |accessdate=May 30, 2021}} but also spent time with Tennessee and in the Arizona League while rehabbing. Over 63 games in total for the season, Short batted .235 with six home runs and 25 RBIs. Following the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League with the Mesa Solar Sox.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-arizona-fall-league-updates |title=Cubs Arizona Fall League updates |work=Mlb.com |date= |accessdate=May 30, 2021}}

Short was added to Chicago's 40–man roster following the 2019 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/cubs-protect-miguel-amaya-zack-short-ahead-of-rule-5-draft-565253462.html |title=Cubs Protect Miguel Amaya, Zack Short Ahead of Rule 5 Draft – NBC Chicago |website=Nbcchicago.com |date=November 20, 2019 |accessdate=May 30, 2021}}

=Detroit Tigers=

On August 31, 2020, the Cubs traded Short to the Detroit Tigers for Cameron Maybin shortly before the trade deadline.{{cite news|last=McCosky|first=Chris|title=Tigers trade Cameron Maybin to Cubs for shortstop Zack Short|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2020/08/31/detroit-tigers-trade-cameron-maybin-chicago-cubs-shortstop-zack-short/3449835001/|access-date=August 31, 2020|newspaper=The Detroit News}} He did not play a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=March 18, 2023|website=MLB.com}}

On April 21, 2021, Short was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite news |last1=Petzold |first1=Evan |title=Detroit Tigers call up INF Zack Short; designate 1B Renato Nunez for assignment |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2021/04/21/detroit-tigers-zack-short-designate-assignment-renato-nunez-miguel-cabrera-injury/7317028002/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=Detroit Free Press |date=April 21, 2021}} He made his MLB debut that day as the starting third baseman against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On April 23, Short recorded his first MLB hit, a single off of Kansas City Royals starter Mike Minor. On June 26, Short recorded his first MLB home run, a two-run home run, off Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2021/06/26/detroit-tigers-game-zack-short-casey-mize-houston-astros-doubleheader/5357636001/|title=Detroit Tigers' Zack Short makes statement in 3-1 win in Game 1 vs. Houston Astros}} He finished the 2021 season with a .141 batting average in 61 games.

Short spent the majority of the 2022 season with the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens, playing in 128 games and hitting .229/.355/.373 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. He appeared in six major-league contests with the Tigers, going hitless with two RBI and two walks in 13 plate appearances.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/zack-short-670097|title=Zack Short Stats|website=MLB.com|access-date=August 24, 2022}}

Short was optioned to Triple–A Toledo to begin the 2023 season.{{cite news |title=Baseball: Kingston High grad Zack Short sent to Toledo Mud Hens by Detroit Tigers |url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/2023/03/27/baseball-kingston-high-grad-zack-short-sent-to-toledo-mud-hens-by-detroit-tigers/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=Daily Freeman |date=March 27, 2023}} In 112 games for the Tigers, he batted .204/.292/.339 with career–highs in home runs (7), RBI (33), and stolen bases (5).{{Cite web|title=Mets' Zack Short: Claimed by Mets|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-zack-short-claimed-by-mets/|access-date=November 7, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=November 6, 2023 |language=en}}

=New York Mets=

On November 6, 2023, Short was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.{{cite news |last1=Woodbery |first1=Evan |title=Tigers infielder claimed off waivers by Mets |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/11/tigers-infielder-claimed-off-waivers-by-mets.html |access-date=June 25, 2024 |publisher=MLive.com |date=November 6, 2023}} He made the Mets opening day roster.{{Cite web |title=Mets' Mark Vientos being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, will not make Opening Day roster |url=https://sny.tv/articles/mets-mark-vientos-optioned-to-triple-a-syracuse-opening-day-roster |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=sny.tv}} In 10 games for the Mets, he went 1–for–9 (.111) with two walks. On April 26, 2024, Short was designated for assignment to make room for J. D. Martinez on the roster.{{cite news |last1=DiComo |first1=Anthony |title=Everything to know ahead of J.D.'s debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/j-d-martinez-recalled-by-mets |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=April 26, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Kingston High grad Zack Short designated for assignment by Mets |url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/2024/04/26/kingston-high-grad-zack-short-designated-for-assignment-by-mets/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=Daily Freeman |date=April 26, 2024}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On May 1, 2024, the Mets traded Short to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite news |last1=Canales |first1=Kevin |title=Red Sox strengthen infield by trading for Zack Short from Mets |url=https://hudsonreporter.com/sports/red-sox-sign-zack-short/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=Hudson Reporter |date=May 1, 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Bird |first=Hayden |date=May 1, 2024 |title=Red Sox acquire infielder Zack Short in trade with Mets |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2024/05/01/zack-short-red-sox-trade-mets/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |publisher=Boston.com}} On May 8, after appearing in two games for Boston and going 0–for–7, the Red Sox designated Short for assignment.{{cite news |last1=Hartwell |first1=Darren |title=Red Sox trade infielder to Braves eight days after acquiring him |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-trade-zack-short-braves/611629/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |publisher=NBC Sports Boston |date=May 9, 2024}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On May 9, 2024, the Red Sox traded Short to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite news |title=Red Sox Trade INF Zack Short to Atlanta Braves |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-trade-inf-zack-short-to-atlanta-braves |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=May 9, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Short stay: Red Sox trade INF Zack Short to Braves |url=https://www.albanyherald.com/sports/short-stay-red-sox-trade-inf-zack-short-to-braves/article_1de8c212-c14c-56b7-8a69-edd9e303ca80.html |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=Albany Herald |date=May 9, 2024}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Red Sox trade Zack Short to Braves for cash considerations |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40113946/red-sox-trade-zack-short-braves-cash-considerations |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=May 9, 2024}} On May 12, he made his Braves debut against the New York Mets.{{cite news |title=MLB: Kingston High grad Zack Short makes debut for Braves in loss to Mets |url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/2024/05/13/mlb-kingston-high-grad-zack-short-makes-debut-for-braves-in-loss-to-mets/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=Daily Freeman |date=May 13, 2024}} In 30 games with Atlanta, Short batted .148/.313/.204 with five RBI. On July 25, Short was designated for assignment by the Braves.{{Cite news |last=Toscano |first=Justin |title=Braves reinstate Austin Riley, designate Zack Short for assignment |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-reinstate-austin-riley-designate-zack-short-for-assignment/VSZGBV6FBRHJ3CER7PFU45JV3U/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers on July 27.{{Cite web|title=Outright Assignments: Hiura, Short|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/outright-assignments-hiura-short.html|access-date=July 28, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 27, 2024 |language=en}} Short elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

=Houston Astros=

On January 7, 2025, the Houston Astros signed Short to a minor league deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/astros-sign-zack-short-to-minor-league-deal.html|title=Astros Sign Zack Short To Minor League Deal|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=January 7, 2025|accessdate=January 7, 2025|first=Darragh|last=McDonald}}