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ZACH SPEARS, LEFT HANDED PITCHER
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| Born: June 3, 1997 Height: 6′ 7″ Weight: 237 Bats: Left Throws: Left Drafted: 8th Round, 234th Overall, 2018 How Acquired: Draft College: Miami University (OH) Agent: N/A |
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE |
| Spears is a big framed lefty who was a starter for three years at Miami of Ohio. He struggled the first two years, but saw some improvements during his junior year, posting a 3.84 ERA in 77 innings, with an 82:37 K:BB ratio. He had control problems throughout his college career, and while they didn’t disappear during his junior year, he made progress. He also improved his strikeout totals in his last two years.
Spears throws 89-93 MPH, although the large frame should give him the capability of throwing harder. He also throws a changeup, which gets average grades, along with a slider that’s his out pitch. He’s working on a cutter. Spears signed for the slot amount. 2018 Spears spent his debut season in the Morgantown rotation. He mostly struggled, with poor walk and K rates, and opponents batting 322/400/462 against him. He was effective against left-handed batters, who had a .690 OPS against him, but right-handed hitters battered him for a .929 figure. 2019 Spears did not have a good debut, but the Pirates thought he’d made progress during the off-season. He was slated to join the starting rotation at Greensboro, but suffered an injury lifting weights and then re-injured it. He had shoulder surgery, which cost him the entire season. The Pirates will probably give Spears a shot at Greensboro in 2020 if he’s able to pitch. |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2020: Minor league contract |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: $171,800 MiLB Debut: 2018 MLB Debut: MiLB FA Eligible: 2024 MLB FA Eligible: Rule 5 Eligible: 2021 Added to 40-Man: Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| June 5, 2018: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 8th round, 234th overall pick; signed on June 11. |
