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Zachary Thomas Duke (born April 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds.

Key Information

Playing career

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Pittsburgh Pirates

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Duke was drafted directly out of Midway High School in Waco, Texas, in the 20th round of the 2001 draft,[1] and began his career the following year with the Pirates' rookie level Gulf Coast League team. He spent 2003 with the low-A Hickory Crawdads.

In 2004, Duke led all minor league pitchers with a 1.46 earned run average (24 earned runs in 148.1 innings pitched). He posted a 15–6 record in 26 combined starts between Class-A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona, and his 15 wins tied for third-most among all minor league pitchers.

Following the 2004 season, Duke was named Pittsburgh's Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year and earned Carolina League Pitcher-of-the-Year honors.[2] He was selected by Baseball America as the sixth-best prospect in the Eastern League, and the best pitching prospect (fourth-best prospect overall) in the Carolina League. He was also recognized by the publication as having the best breaking pitch in the league.

Duke made his major league debut on July 2, 2005, against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out nine and receiving a no-decision in the Pirates' 5–3 loss. His nine strikeouts were the most by a Pirate making his MLB debut since Tim Wakefield on July 31, 1992.

Duke's debut month in July 2005 included a 3–0 shutout victory against Greg Maddux and the Cubs on July 16 and 22 consecutive scoreless innings from July 2 to 21. He was named National League Rookie of the month for July while compiling a 0.87 ERA, the best among all starting pitchers in the Major Leagues.[3] He became only the second Pittsburgh rookie to win his first five decisions, along with Whitey Glazner. Duke also became one of only four pitchers during the Live-ball era to record an ERA below 1.00 in their first six starts (the others being Fernando Valenzuela, Boo Ferriss, and Steve Rogers).[4] Duke finished 2005 with an 8–2 record in 14 starts, striking out 58 in 84.2 innings. He finished in fifth place in the Rookie of the Year voting, garnering 10% of the vote.

Duke's first full season with the Pirates in 2006 was as the new team ace, anchoring a very young rotation with Ian Snell. Duke had a number of good starts in the first half of the season, but many of them were undone by the Pirates' weak bullpen and lack of run support for Duke. The second half of 2006 was a re-emergence of the Duke who had dazzled Pittsburgh with his stuff from the previous year, and, on a side note, it was the first time the Pirates had compiled a winning record for a half of a season since 1992. Duke recorded two complete game efforts, the only two that Pittsburgh had all season. His first was a shutout of the Chicago Cubs on May 2, but he only had two strikeouts and a walk. His better effort was on August 11 against the St. Louis Cardinals. While he scattered eight hits, Duke only allowed one run (which was earned), recorded no walks and seven strikeouts. Duke also threw 11 fewer pitches than his previous complete game effort, and recorded 14 ground-ball outs. Duke's final line for the 2006 season was 10–15 with a 4.47 ERA and 117 strikeouts against 68 walks. During the 2006 season, he led the National League in hits allowed, with 255, and his 15 losses were third-most in the league.[5] Duke also became the first Pirates starter since Kris Benson in 2000 to throw more than 200 innings, with 215+1⁄3 innings pitched.

In 2007, Duke finished 3–8 with an ERA of 5.53.[5]

In 2008, Duke was 5–14 with an ERA of 4.82 and he gave up more doubles than any other pitcher in the majors, with 58, and more sacrifice hits, with 14.[6] He gave up 230 hits, second-most in the National League, and his 14 losses were fourth-most in the league.[5]

Duke was named to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, replacing the injured Matt Cain.[7] He finished off 2009 with an 11–16 record, a 4.06 ERA, three complete games (third-most in the league), one shutout, 23 home runs given up, three hit batsmen, 231 hits (second-most in the league), 49 walks, 106 strikeouts, a .285 average against, 1.31 walks and hits per innings pitched, and 213 innings pitched. Duke's 16 losses in 2009 led the National League.[5]

In 2010, Duke compiled a record of 8–15 with a 5.72 ERA, and a .321 batting average against.[8] His 15 losses in 2010 were second in the National League.[5]

Arizona Diamondbacks

[edit]

On November 24, 2010, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Duke to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a player to be named later, determined to be César Valdez.[9]

On May 28, 2011, Duke was activated off the disabled list and made his first start with the Arizona Diamondbacks, replacing Micah Owings in the rotation. He also hit his first major league home run that day, a three-run home run off Bud Norris.[10] Duke made nine starts in the rotation, going 2–4 with a 5.47 ERA, and opponents hitting .336/.368/.481 off him. On July 15, Duke was relocated to the bullpen,[11] where he fared slightly better in a long-relief role, recording a 3.86 ERA in 25.2 innings, only striking out six while walking eight. Overall in 2011, Duke went 3–4 with a 4.91 ERA in 21 appearances. On October 31, 2011, he elected to become a free agent.[8]

Houston Astros

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Duke signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on January 27, 2012. He also received an invitation to spring training; however, he was released on March 27.[12]

Washington Nationals

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Duke signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on March 29, 2012, playing for the Washington Nationals's AAA affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs.[13] He was called up to the majors on September 3 and appeared in eight games, pitching 13.2 innings with a 1.32 ERA.[14][15]

On December 2, 2012, Duke re-signed with the Nationals on a one-year deal to serve as the team's long reliever.[16] He was designated for assignment on June 4, 2013, after posting an 8.71 ERA for the team in 20+2⁄3 innings.[8] On June 10, 2013, Duke was released by Washington.[17]

Cincinnati Reds

[edit]

Duke signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on June 13, 2013.[18][19] He eventually was promoted to the big league club and recorded an 0.84 ERA in 10+2⁄3 innings.

Milwaukee Brewers

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Duke was signed as a free agent on January 15, 2014,[8] and invited to spring training by the Milwaukee Brewers for 2014 and made the roster as a left-handed relief specialist. He recorded his first win of 2014 on April 20 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Duke had emerged as a key member of the Brewers' bullpen, finding success against lefties and righties. As of July 21, his ERA was 1.16, and he had struck out 49 batters in 38+1⁄3 innings pitched. Duke finished the year strongly, recording a 2.45 ERA with 74 strikeouts against only 17 walks in 58.2 innings, appearing in 74 games and notching 12 holds. He limited left-handed hitters to a .198 batting average. Duke became a free agent on October 30, 2014.[8]

Chicago White Sox

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Duke signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago White Sox on November 18, 2014.[20]

St. Louis Cardinals

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On July 21, 2016, the White Sox traded Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Charlie Tilson.[21] On October 14, 2016, it was revealed that Duke underwent surgery to repair a forearm flexor muscle and UCL in his left arm, which was expected to sideline him for the entire 2017 season.[22] However, on July 21, 2017, Duke completed a rehab assignment and returned to the Cardinals' active roster, making his first appearance since the surgery on July 21.[23]

Minnesota Twins

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Duke signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins on December 26, 2017.[24] In 45 appearances, Duke was 3–4 in 37+1⁄3 innings.

Seattle Mariners

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On July 30, 2018, Duke was traded to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Chase De Jong and infielder Ryan Costello.[25] Duke struggled after being acquired by Seattle, finishing with a 5.52 ERA in 27 appearances.

Return to the Reds

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On February 11, 2019, Duke returned to the Reds on a one-year, $2 million deal.[26]

On July 1, the Reds designated Duke for assignment.[27] He was released on July 6, 2019.

Personal life

[edit]

Duke was born in Clifton, Texas.[28] He married Kristin Gross in Evansville, Indiana, in November 2007. They met when she was an emcee for the Indianapolis Indians. His best man was former Pirates closer Matt Capps.[29] Duke and his wife reside in Gallatin, Tennessee.[30]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Zach Duke

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Zachary Thomas Duke, known as "Dukie," is an American former who played 15 seasons in (MLB) from 2005 to 2019, primarily as a left-handed reliever after starting his career as a starter. Born on April 19, 1983, in , Duke attended Midway High School in , before being selected by the in the 20th round (594th overall) of the 2001 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut on July 2, 2005, with the Pirates, where he quickly established himself as a promising , posting an 8-2 record with a 1.81 ERA in 14 starts that season and earning National League Rookie of the Month honors for both July and August. Duke finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2005 and later became a 2009 National League while with the Pirates. Throughout his career, Duke appeared in 570 games for nine teams, including the Pirates (2005–2010), Diamondbacks (2011), (2012–2013), (2013 and 2019), Milwaukee Brewers (2014), (2015–2016), St. Louis Cardinals (2016–2017), (2018), and Seattle Mariners (2018). Transitioning to a role in 2011, he excelled in high-leverage situations, notably in 2014 with the Brewers (2.45 in 74 appearances) and 2016 across the White Sox and Cardinals (2.36 in 81 games). Duke's career totals include a 69–91 record, 4.31 , 854 strikeouts, and 1,360 over 570 appearances (169 starts), with a career WAR of 12.3, reflecting his durability and contributions to multiple bullpens. He did not play after the 2019 season with the Reds, effectively retiring thereafter.

Early life and amateur career

Childhood and family background

Zachary Thomas Duke was born on April 19, 1983, in Clifton, Texas, a small rural town in Bosque County with a population of approximately 3,500 residents. Clifton, located about 20 miles northwest of Waco, is characterized by its agricultural landscape and close-knit community, offering a modest, countryside upbringing typical of rural Central Texas. Duke grew up in the Waco area, where he developed an early passion for through watching Texas Rangers games on television. He idolized , the Hall of Fame pitcher and Texas native known for his record-setting strikeouts and no-hitters, which inspired Duke's interest in the sport from a young age; his father took him to see Ryan pitch live. This exposure to professional via broadcasts in his rural hometown laid the foundation for his athletic pursuits, reflecting the limited but dedicated access to the game in a small-town setting. The rural environment of Clifton, with its emphasis on community and outdoor activities, contributed to Duke's formative years, fostering a grounded perspective before his transition to organized sports.

High school baseball and MLB draft

Zach Duke attended Midway High School in , from 1997 to 2001, where he emerged as a standout left-handed known for his command and on the mound. Despite not possessing elite velocity, Duke drew attention from professional scouts during his senior year in spring 2001, impressing with his ability to locate pitches effectively and compete against top competition. His family's encouragement from early childhood played a key role in motivating him to pursue a career. Opting to forgo college opportunities, including enrollment at Galveston Community College after briefly considering Stanford, Duke entered the 2001 MLB Draft directly out of high school. The selected him in the 20th round, 594th overall, recognizing his projectable frame and pitching potential as a late-round gem. He signed with the organization on July 31, 2001, for a $260,000 bonus and was immediately assigned to the ' rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate to begin his professional career that summer.

Minor league career

Progression in Pirates system

Drafted by the in the 20th round of the 2001 MLB Draft out of Midway High School in , Zach Duke signed late in the summer and did not pitch professionally that year. Duke began his professional career in 2002 with the Gulf Coast League Pirates, the team's Rookie-level affiliate, where he made 11 starts and posted an 8-1 record with a 1.95 ERA over 60 innings, striking out 48 batters while demonstrating early command of his . In 2003, he advanced to Low-A in the , starting 26 games and compiling an 8-7 record with a 3.11 ERA across 141.2 innings, including 113 strikeouts, as he worked on refining his pitching mechanics against more advanced hitters. Duke's most notable season came in 2004, marking his breakout as a prospect; he started the year with the in the , going 10-5 with a 1.39 and 106 strikeouts in 97 innings over 17 starts, showcasing improved velocity on his that reached the low- to mid-90s mph range with good sinking action. Promoted to Double-A in the Eastern League on July 17, he adapted quickly, recording a 5-1 mark with a 1.58 and 36 strikeouts in 51.1 innings across nine starts, contributing to an overall minor-league line of 15-6, 1.46 , and 142 strikeouts in 148.1 innings that year— the lowest among all full-season minor leaguers. In 2005, Duke was promoted to Triple-A in the , where he made 20 starts and went 12-3 with a 2.92 over 108 , striking out 66 batters and earning the league's Most Valuable award before his major league debut in July. Throughout his time in the Pirates' system, Duke's repertoire evolved from a reliance on his and to incorporating a sharper high-70s as a key out pitch, which he developed greater consistency with by 2004, allowing him to set up hitters more effectively and induce ground balls with his sinking command. No significant injuries hampered his progression during these years, enabling steady promotions from to Triple-A in just four seasons.

Key minor league achievements

During his time in the Pittsburgh Pirates' system, Zach Duke earned significant recognition for his performance, particularly in 2003 and 2004, which highlighted his rapid rise as a top pitching prospect. In 2003, while pitching for the Class A in the , Duke posted an 8-7 record and 3.11 ERA over 141.2 innings, earning recognition as a top prospect in the league. Duke's breakout came in 2004, when he split time between the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats and Double-A , compiling a 15-6 record with a league-leading 1.46 across 148.1 —the lowest mark among all pitchers that season. For these efforts, he was named the Pitcher of the Year and the Pirates' Pitcher of the Year, awards that underscored his command and effectiveness as a left-handed starter. Over his four seasons in the Pirates' system prior to his major league debut (2002–2005), posted a 43–17 record with a 2.34 in 458 , establishing him as a durable workhorse with excellent control. reports from the era praised his potential as a top-of-the-rotation starter, noting his ability to dominate hitters without overpowering velocity but through precise location and a deceptive delivery; ranked him as the Pirates' No. 1 prospect entering 2005 and No. 34 overall in MLB. These accomplishments positioned as one of the premier left-handed pitching prospects in , drawing comparisons to reliable mid-rotation arms with upside for ace-level impact.

Major League career

Pittsburgh Pirates (2005–2009)

Zach Duke made his Major League Baseball debut with the on July 2, 2005, against the Cardinals at , where he pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs in a no-decision. His rapid promotion from the minors was facilitated by a dominant 2005 season in Triple-A with the , where he posted a 12-3 record and 2.92 . As a , Duke excelled in 14 starts, finishing with an 8-2 record, a 1.81 , and 58 strikeouts over 84⅔ innings, earning him fifth place in National League Rookie of the Year voting. He was named the NL Rookie of the Month for July 2005 after going 3-0 with a 0.79 in four starts, including a 22-inning scoreless streak. Following his promising debut, Duke transitioned to a full-time starter role in 2006, logging a team-high 215⅓ but struggling with consistency, ending with a 10-15 record and 4.47 amid increased allowed (255). His performance declined further in 2007 due to shoulder issues and command problems, particularly with his , limiting him to 19 starts and resulting in a 3-8 record with a 5.53 . In 2008, Duke continued to face challenges with control and durability, posting a 5-14 record and 4.82 over 31 starts, surrendering 230 and 19 home runs. Duke showed signs of rebound in 2009, his final full season with the Pirates, where he led the team with 11 wins despite a 11-16 record and 4.06 ERA in 32 starts and 213 innings. His improved command and workload earned him a selection to the National League team as an injury replacement for , marking the Pirates' first such duo with infielder since 2006. However, ongoing issues with walks (49 in 2009) and a high hit rate (231) highlighted persistent command struggles that contributed to his eventual departure from the organization. In 2010, Duke remained with the Pirates as a starter, posting an 8-15 record with a 5.72 over 29 starts and 159 . He allowed a .321 against and led the NL with 25 home runs surrendered, contributing to the team's struggles and his designation for assignment in November.

Arizona Diamondbacks (2010–2011)

On November 24, 2010, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded left-handed pitcher Zach Duke to the Diamondbacks in exchange for pitcher César Valdez. Following the trade, Duke agreed to a one-year contract with Arizona worth $4.25 million on December 3, 2010. His prior All-Star selection in had established him as a promising starter, prompting the Diamondbacks to acquire him for rotation depth. Duke began the 2011 season as a for but faced challenges with command and effectiveness, posting a 3–4 record with a 4.93 over nine starts and 12 appearances, totaling 76.2 in 21 games. Expected to provide reliable innings as a mid-rotation option, he struggled with a 1.57 and opponents batting .324 against him, limiting his impact in the rotation. In mid-July 2011, the Diamondbacks transitioned Duke to the to make room for Barry Enright's return to the , where he appeared in additional roles and recorded one save. A notable personal milestone occurred on May 28, 2011, during his Diamondbacks debut start against the Houston Astros, when Duke hit his first Major League home run—a three-run shot off in the fourth inning—contributing to an 11–3 victory while pitching seven scoreless innings. Duke's tenure with concluded after the 2011 season, as he elected free agency on October 31, 2011.

Houston Astros and Washington Nationals (2012–2013)

Following his non-tender by the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2011 season, Duke signed a contract with the Houston Astros on January 27, 2012, which included an invitation to . He struggled in , allowing 18 runs in 10.1 innings across four appearances, leading to his release by the Astros on March 27, 2012, without any Major League appearances. Duke quickly signed another contract with the on March 29, 2012, and spent the majority of the season with their Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs, where he posted a 15-5 record with a 3.51 in 26 starts. His contract was selected and he was called up to the Majors on September 3, 2012, making his debut as a reliever the next day. In eight relief appearances that September, Duke allowed just two earned runs over 13.2 innings for a 1.32 , with 10 strikeouts and four walks, emerging as a out of the . Impressed by his late-season performance, the Nationals re-signed Duke to a one-year Major League contract worth $700,000 on December 6, 2012, positioning him for a full-time relief role in 2013. However, Duke struggled early in the 2013 season, posting an 8.71 ERA over 20.2 innings in 12 appearances (including one start), during which he surrendered 31 hits and 20 earned runs. On June 4, 2013, the Nationals designated him for assignment to make room on the roster, and he was outrighted to Triple-A before being released on , 2013. During his time with the Nationals, Duke adapted to a lefty specialist role, focusing on short relief outings against left-handed batters, where he held opponents to a .224 in 2012 and aimed to leverage his sinker-slider mix for late-inning matchups, though his command issues persisted in 2013.

Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers (2013–2015)

After being and released by the on June 4 and June 10, 2013, respectively—where his early-season outings had begun to refine his transition to a full-time bullpen role—Duke signed a minor league contract with the on June 14, 2013. He spent time with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate, the , before earning a call-up to the majors in late ; in 14 appearances for that season, Duke posted a 0.84 over 10⅔ , allowing just one earned run while striking out seven batters. Duke became a after the 2013 season and signed another minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on January 15, 2014, complete with a non-roster invitation to . Impressing in camp, he secured a spot in the major league and quickly established himself as a key setup reliever, appearing in a career-high 74 games during the 2014 campaign. Over 58⅔ innings, Duke went 5-1 with a 2.45 , 74 strikeouts, and a .225 opponent , limiting right-handed hitters to a .198 average while holding lefties to .233. His resurgence as a dependable late-inning option was bolstered by refining his pitch mix, particularly increasing his usage to nearly 30% of pitches—up from negligible employment in prior years—complemented by a sharp and sinker that induced weak contact and ground balls at a 52.4% rate. Duke's dominant 2014 performance, which included 12 holds and a 1.13 , positioned him as one of the National League's top left-handed relievers and drew interest in free agency following the season. On November 18, , he agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with the , securing his role as a high-leverage arm heading into 2015 with an average annual value of $5 million, including performance incentives. This deal marked a significant payday for the 31-year-old, reflecting his revival from status to a sought-after specialist.

Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Minnesota Twins (2015–2018)

Following his successful transition to a relief role with the Brewers in 2014, where he posted a 2.45 over 74 appearances, signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the prior to the 2015 season. In 2015, established himself as a reliable left-handed for the , appearing in a career-high 71 games and recording a 3-6 record with a 3.41 over 60.2 , while striking out 66 batters and earning one save. His performance highlighted his effectiveness as a lefty specialist, limiting opposing left-handed hitters to a .226 . Duke continued in a similar role during the 2016 season with the White Sox, making 53 relief appearances and compiling a 4-1 record with a 2.63 in 37.2 before the trade deadline. On July 31, 2016, the White Sox traded Duke to the Cardinals in exchange for outfield prospect Charlie Tilson, as sought to bolster its depth amid a competitive season. With the Cardinals, Duke made 28 appearances, posting a 0-1 record and an impressive 1.93 over 23.1 , with 26 strikeouts and just five earned runs allowed. However, lingering elbow discomfort led to his placement on the disabled list in September, and on October 14, 2016, he underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his , along with flexor tendon repair, sidelining him for the entire 2017 season initially. Duke made a remarkably swift recovery from , returning to the majors with the Cardinals on July 21, 2017, after less than 10 months of rehabilitation—one of the faster comebacks from the procedure at the time. In 27 relief outings that year, he recorded a 1-1 mark with a 3.93 across 18.1 , striking out 12 while issuing six walks, though his command showed signs of rust from the layoff. Limited by ongoing recovery and the Cardinals' crowded , Duke was in November 2017 and elected free agency. On December 26, 2017, Duke signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the , reuniting him with former White Sox pitching coach Scott Chiasson and positioning him as a in their . In , Duke appeared in 45 games for the Twins, going 3-4 with a 3.62 over 37.1 and 39 strikeouts, but his effectiveness waned as the season progressed, particularly against right-handed batters who hit .284 against him. The cumulative effects of his and age-related decline—his averaged around 88 mph, down from the low-90s earlier in his career—contributed to increased instability, as he struggled with harder contact and a higher of 1.39. Throughout this period, Duke's role as a LOOGY (lefty one-out guy) emphasized short, high-leverage stints against left-handed hitters, where he held them to a .205 from 2015 to , but this specialization limited his and exposed vulnerabilities in multi-batter situations across the three teams.

Seattle Mariners and return to Reds (2018–2019)

On July 30, 2018, the Seattle Mariners acquired Duke from the in exchange for pitcher and infielder , amid Duke's 2018 season with the Twins where he posted a 3.62 in 45 appearances. With the Mariners, Duke appeared in 27 games as a reliever, recording a 5.52 over 14.2 with 12 strikeouts and no decisions. Following the 2018 season, Duke elected free agency on October 29. He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds on February 11, 2019, returning to the organization where he had previously played in 2013. In 30 relief appearances for the Reds, Duke struggled with a 5.01 ERA across 23.1 innings, allowing 13 earned runs, four home runs, and 18 strikeouts while going 0-3. Duke's final MLB appearance came on June 29, 2019, against the Chicago Cubs, where he walked one batter in a scoreless before being by the Reds on July 1. The team released him on July 6, 2019, marking the end of his 15-year Major League career. Over his full career, Duke compiled a 69-91 record with a 4.31 , 854 strikeouts, and 1,360 across 570 games.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Zach Duke married Kristin Gross, an emcee for the Triple-A , in November 2007. The couple first met in 2005 while Duke was playing for the Triple-A . Duke and Gross have three children: daughter Madison (born circa 2011), son Weston (born circa 2014), and daughter Ella (born circa 2015). Duke has described fatherhood as teaching him patience, observing that his children learn and respond at their own individual paces. He emphasizes being fully present with them, noting that his daughter's love remains unwavering regardless of his on-field results. The has influenced several of Duke's career decisions, including relocations. In 2013, during a career low point, Gross provided crucial encouragement for Duke to shift from to reliever, a change that led to his successful return to the majors. When signing with the in December 2017, the Dukes researched the area for its suitability as a family environment before committing. To balance the demands of MLB travel with family time, Duke prioritizes disconnecting from upon returning home, focusing entirely on his role as a . His Christian has served as a guiding force in his family life.

Residence and faith

In 2014, Zach Duke and his family established their home in Gallatin, Tennessee. By 2016, Duke described Gallatin as the consistent anchor amid his frequent relocations for baseball, providing stability for his family in a suburban community north of Nashville. Duke is a devout Christian whose faith profoundly shapes his daily life and decisions. In a 2011 interview, he explained that his relationship with God fosters consistency across his professional, familial, and personal spheres, emphasizing a commitment to living as a "model Christian" by seeking forgiveness for shortcomings and modeling godly behavior on and off the field. He has publicly expressed this conviction through participation in team faith events, such as the Chicago White Sox's inaugural Faith and Family Day in 2015, where he joined other players in promoting spiritual themes to fans. Duke's favorite Bible verse, 2 Timothy 4:7—"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"—reflects his view of life's challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth rather than mere outcomes. His faith has also driven philanthropic efforts, particularly with Water Mission, a Christian organization focused on providing clean water and sharing 's love worldwide. Duke and his wife Kristin have supported the group for years, hosting a 2019 fundraising event in that featured memorabilia auctions and raised funds for global projects. In January of that year, they traveled to to visit Water Mission initiatives, including an , where Kristin noted witnessing "’s grace and redemption" in the communities served. Since retiring from in 2019, Duke has prioritized a private life centered on and in Gallatin, occasionally sharing insights on spiritual resilience during the through discussions on supporting faith-based causes like Water Mission. This post-career phase underscores his focus on personal stability and quiet service, aligning with the enduring values of perseverance and devotion he has long championed.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/zach-duke-435043
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dukeza01.shtml
  3. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/bio/_/id/6219/zach-duke
  4. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/clifton-tx-bosque-county
  5. https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/texas/clifton
  6. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/4579-zach-duke/
  7. https://vault.si.com/vault/2005/08/15/rookie-off-to-a-perfect-start
  8. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2005/08/24/For-scout-signing-Duke-was-a-dream-come-true/stories/200508240122
  9. https://www.milb.com/player/zach-duke-435043
  10. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=dukesza01
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=duke--001zac
  12. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Zach_Duke
  13. https://rumbunter.com/2020/05/19/pittsburgh-pirates-revisiting-duke/
  14. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-28229
  15. https://www.minorleagueball.com/2005/8/22/16191/8637
  16. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2144625
  17. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player.asp?ID=21611&view=awards
  18. https://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/15/1424202/prospect-retro-redux-zach-duke
  19. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=dukesza01
  20. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2007/04/18/Pirates-Notebook-Duke-ditches-memory-of-previous-start/stories/200704180384
  21. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2009/07/13/duke-s-all-star-selection-give-pirates-rare-duo/stories/200907130145
  22. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/pitching.php?y=2010&t=PIT
  23. https://www.azsnakepit.com/2011/7/19/2282419/aaron-heilman-released-barry-enright-zach-duke
  24. https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Zach-Duke-leads-Arizona-to-11-3-win-with-arm-bat-2370186.php
  25. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/03/nationals-sign-zach-duke.html
  26. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/8706855/zach-duke-agrees-1-year-deal-washington-nationals
  27. https://www.federalbaseball.com/2013/6/10/4415740/washington-nationals-release-left-hander-zach-duke-after-he-was-dfad
  28. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/01/brewers-sign-zach-duke.html
  29. https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2014/6/30/5852382/zach-duke-strikeouts-slider-curveball-delivery-brewers
  30. https://www.si.com/mlb/2014/11/18/chicago-white-sox-sign-free-agent-reliever-zach-duke
  31. https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/white-sox-sign-zach-duke
  32. https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-acquire-zach-duke-for-charlie-tilson-c192801210
  33. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/10/zach-duke-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery.html
  34. https://www.mlb.com/news/zach-duke-on-track-to-return-from-tommy-john-c242698838
  35. https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-sign-reliever-zach-duke-to-one-year-deal-c264023854
  36. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/zach-duke-435043
  37. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2018.shtml
  38. https://www.mlb.com/news/reds-officially-sign-zach-duke-c303803856
  39. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2019-standard-pitching.shtml
  40. https://www.twincities.com/2018/02/11/wifes-tough-love-spurs-strong-second-act-for-twins-reliever-zach-duke/
  41. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/06/19/what-baseball-fathers-know-advice-from-cubs-and-white-sox-dads/
  42. https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspiringathletes/2011/06/arizona-diamondbacks-pitcher-zach-duke-on-how-faith-impacts-every-facet-of-his-life-2.html
  43. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/comeback-complete-reinvigorated-blanton-joins-royals-after-13-month-hiatus
  44. https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/gallatinnews/white-sox-pitcher-lands-in-gallatin/
  45. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2015/08/28/Franchises/White-Sox-Faith-Night/?issueId=ZFIYZCZJP77ZWVXOY4INMBQXKQ
  46. https://watermission.org/news/impact-stories/zach-and-kristin-duke-mlb-players-uncork-clean-water-cause
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTtotVrKocw
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