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Zack Littell
Zack Littell
from Wikipedia

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

Key Information

Early life

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Professional career

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Seattle Mariners (2013–2017)

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The Seattle Mariners selected Littell in the 11th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He signed with Seattle, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Appalachian State University.[3] 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 33+13 innings in 2013.[4]

He pitched in 2014 for the Advanced Rookie League Pulaski Mariners, going 5–5 with a 4.52 ERA in 13 starts.[4] Littell pitched in 2015 for the Single-A Clinton LumberKings, compiling a 3–6 record and 3.91 ERA in 21 starts.[4]

He started 2016 with Clinton, and was promoted to the Bakersfield Blaze in July.[5][6] In 28 total games (27 starts) between the two clubs, Littell collected a 13–6 record, 2.66 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP.[4]

New York Yankees (2017)

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On November 18, 2016, the Mariners traded Littell to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher James Pazos.[7] Littell started 2017 with the Tampa Yankees and was promoted to the Trenton Thunder in late June.

Minnesota Twins (2017–2020)

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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.[8] 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.[9] On November 20, 2017, the Twins added Littell to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[10]

Littell made his MLB debut on June 5, 2018.[11] 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 20+13 innings. In the minors, he was 6–9 with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.357 WHIP.[4]

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%.[12]

In 2020 in 6+13 innings he gave up five home runs among 12 hits. He had a 9.95 ERA with a 2.368 WHIP.[13] On September 17, 2020, Littell was outrighted off the 40-man roster.[14] He became a free agent on November 2.[15]

San Francisco Giants (2021–2022)

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On February 3, 2021, Littell signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, and received an invitation to spring training.[16][17] The Giants promoted him to the major leagues on April 30.[18] In the 2021 regular season, Littell was 4–0 with a 2.92 ERA in 63 games (2 starts) covering 62+23 innings in which he struck out 63 batters with the Giants; with Triple-A Sacramento, he had a 9.00 ERA.[19] His hard-hit percentage of 46.0% was in the bottom (worst) 5% of major league pitchers.[20]

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.[21] Littell slammed the ball into Kapler's hand and angrily told Kapler he wanted to remain in the game.[22] The next day, the Giants demoted him to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.[23][24]

In 2022, Littell was 3–3 with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.376 WHIP with the Giants.[25] 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.[26] He elected free agency on November 10.[27]

Texas Rangers (2023)

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On January 12, 2023, Littell signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.[28] 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.[29]

Boston Red Sox (2023)

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On May 5, 2023, Littell was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.[30] He was selected to Boston's active roster the next day.[31] 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.[32]

Tampa Bay Rays (2023–2025)

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On May 12, 2023, Littell was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.[33] 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.[34] He ended the season 3-6, with a 4.10 ERA and 74 strikeouts between the two major league teams.

In 2024, Littell made 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.[35]

Cincinnati Reds (2025–present)

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On July 30, 2025, the Rays traded Littell to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Brian Van Belle and Adam Serwinowski.[36]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Zack Littell is an American who has played in (MLB) for several teams, primarily as a reliever early in his career before transitioning to a starting role. Born on October 5, 1995, in , Littell attended Eastern Alamance High School and was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round (327th overall) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft. He signed with the Mariners and began his professional career in the , progressing through their system and later those of other organizations via trades and waivers. Littell made his MLB debut on June 5, 2018, with the Minnesota Twins, where he spent his first three seasons (2018–2020), appearing in 43 games with a 4.52 ERA. He signed with the San Francisco Giants prior to the 2021 season, posting a standout year in relief with a 4–0 record, 2.92 ERA, and 63 appearances, earning praise for his command and versatility. In 2023, Littell split time between the Boston Red Sox (briefly) and the Tampa Bay Rays after being claimed off waivers, then remained with the Rays through 2024 and into 2025, where he logged 29 starts and 156.1 innings in 2024 with an 8–10 record and 3.63 ERA. Later in the 2025 season, he joined the Cincinnati Reds, contributing a 10–8 record overall that year with a 3.81 ERA in 186.2 innings across both teams. Through the 2025 season, Littell's MLB career totals include 34 wins, 29 losses, a 4.03 ERA, 602.2 , and 496 strikeouts in 234 games, highlighting his and ability to eat despite transitioning between roles and organizations. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and throwing right-handed, he is known for his sinker-slider mix and strike-throwing consistency, though his home run susceptibility has been a noted challenge in recent years.

Background

Early life

Zack Littell was born on October 5, 1995, in . He grew up in nearby , in Alamance County, where he developed an early interest in athletics. Littell attended Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane, graduating in . There, he excelled in multiple sports, including as a right-handed pitcher and utility player, as well as football. In , he was ranked 14th overall among prospects in and 500th nationally, earning recognition for his performance in high school and youth tournaments with the Canes travel team. Littell had committed to play at but opted to turn professional after being selected by the Mariners in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Personal life

Littell was born on October 5, 1995, in , where he grew up in a with two younger siblings. His family has a strong tradition of taking cruises, which began in 2003 when his great-grandmother organized a reunion voyage for 65 relatives; this has evolved into annual family trips around holidays like New Year's and , often including his wife's extended family. Littell and his wife, Autumn Herring—a high school girlfriend from nearby Haw River—married in 2019 during the offseason, honeymooning on a cruise to . The couple has two sons: Wyatt James, born on January 20, 2022, and Drew, born in 2024. Despite the demands of his MLB career, Littell prioritizes family, with his wife and sons occasionally traveling to support him at games, such as during a 2025 series in . The family resides in the during the season, where Littell appreciates the proximity to outdoor activities. Littell's hobbies reflect his North Carolina roots and love for the outdoors, including , , and golfing. He has taken over 40 cruises in his life, favoring destinations like for and for horseback riding, and expresses interest in a trans-Atlantic cruise after retiring from .

Professional career

Seattle Mariners (2013–2017)

Zack Littell was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round (327th overall) of the out of Eastern Alamance High School in . He signed with the organization on June 19, 2013, for a $100,000 and was assigned to the rookie-level Arizona League Mariners (AZL Mariners). In his professional debut season of 2013, Littell appeared in 14 games for the AZL Mariners, posting a 0-6 record with a 5.94 over 33.1 , while recording 28 strikeouts. The following year, 2014, he advanced to the rookie-level with the Pulaski Mariners, where he made 13 starts and achieved a 5-5 record with a 4.52 in 69.2 , striking out 64 batters and demonstrating improved command. Littell's development continued in 2015 with the Class A of the , his first full-season assignment. There, he recorded a 3-6 mark with a 3.91 across 23 starts and 112.2 , amassing 84 strikeouts and showing consistency as a starter in his age-19 season. By 2016, he returned to Clinton for the start of the year before earning a midseason promotion to the in the . Splitting time between the two affiliates, Littell excelled with a combined 13-6 record, 2.66 , and 156 strikeouts over 165.2 in 27 starts, including two complete games that highlighted his growth into a reliable prospect. Following the 2016 season, on November 18, the Mariners traded Littell to the New York Yankees in exchange for James Pazos, ending his affiliation with the organization after four years.

New York Yankees (2017)

Littell joined the New York Yankees organization on November 18, 2016, when the Seattle Mariners traded him to the Yankees in exchange for James Pazos. Entering the 2017 season as a 21-year-old right-handed , he began the year with the High-A Tampa Yankees of the , where he excelled in his role. With Tampa from April to late June 2017, Littell posted a 9-1 record and a 1.77 over 13 appearances, including 11 starts, allowing just 65 and 4 runs while walking 15 and 57 in 71.1 . His command and ability to induce weak contact helped him limit opponents to a .237 against, contributing to the team's strong early-season performance. Promoted to the Double-A of the Eastern League on , Littell continued his dominance, going 5-0 with a 2.05 in 7 starts across 44 , issuing only 8 walks while fanning 52 batters and surrendering 37 . This stretch highlighted his growth as a prospect, blending a mid-90s with an improved and to generate swings and misses. Littell's breakout campaign earned him recognition within the Yankees' farm system, where he was ranked as the organization's 23rd-best prospect by MLB Pipeline and 24th by Baseball America entering the season. Overall, in 16 starts for the Yankees' affiliates, he achieved a combined 14-1 record with a 1.91 ERA, 109 strikeouts, and a 1.07 , underscoring his potential as a mid-rotation starter. However, his tenure with New York ended abruptly on July 30, 2017, when the Yankees traded him, along with left-hander Dietrich Enns, to the for Jaime Garcia to bolster their major league rotation ahead of the trade deadline. Littell did not appear in a major league game for the Yankees during his brief time in the organization.

Minnesota Twins (2017–2020)

Littell was acquired by the from the New York Yankees on July 30, 2017, along with left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns, in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jaime García and cash considerations. Following the trade, he reported to the Twins' Double-A affiliate, the , where he posted a 5–4 record with a 3.43 ERA over 81⅔ innings in 16 starts, striking out 73 batters. On November 20, 2017, the Twins added Littell to their 40-man roster to protect him from the . In 2018, Littell began the season with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, the , where he went 7–7 with a 4.01 in 125⅓ across 25 starts, recording 103 strikeouts. He made his major league debut on June 5, 2018, starting against the at . Over the remainder of the season, Littell appeared in eight major league games for the Twins, including two starts, compiling a 0–2 record with a 6.20 in 20⅓ while 14 batters. Littell spent the early part of 2019 with Rochester, where he recorded a 5–8 mark and a 5.24 ERA in 111⅔ innings over 22 appearances (21 starts), fanning 94. He was recalled to the majors multiple times during the season and transitioned to a full-time relief role, making 29 appearances with an undefeated 6–0 record, a 2.68 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched. This performance included a 171 ERA+ and contributed to the Twins' bullpen depth during their 101-win campaign. In the postseason, Littell appeared in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees on October 4, 2019, but took the loss after allowing two unearned runs without recording an out. The 2020 season, shortened by the , saw Littell limited to six relief outings for the Twins, where he posted a 9.95 over 6⅓ with three strikeouts. He was placed on the 10-day on August 1 with a left strain and later outrighted to the alternate training site on September 17 after clearing waivers. Following the season, Littell elected free agency on November 2, 2020.

San Francisco Giants (2021–2022)

Littell signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on February 4, 2021, receiving an invitation to spring training. His contract was selected from the Giants' alternate training site on April 30, 2021, marking his addition to the major league roster. Throughout the 2021 season, Littell served primarily as a reliable reliever in the Giants' bullpen, appearing in a league-high 63 games while making two starts. He posted a 4–0 record with a 2.92 ERA over 61.2 innings pitched, recording 63 strikeouts, seven holds, and two saves, contributing to a 1.0 WAR that underscored his value in the team's surprising 107-win campaign. In the postseason, Littell appeared in the against the , pitching 2.2 across two games but allowing three earned runs for a 10.13 . Entering the 2022 season on a one-year major league contract worth $730,000, Littell continued in a relief role but experienced a decline in performance. He made 39 appearances, all out of the , finishing 3–3 with a 5.08 in 44.1 , including 39 strikeouts, five holds, and one save, while posting a 0.1 . Littell was placed on the 15-day during the season due to a right shoulder strain, limiting his availability. He was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on October 6, 2022, for the Giants' final games.
YearTeamGGSW-LERAIPSOSVHLDWAR
2021SFG6324-02.9261.263271.0
2022SFG3903-35.0844.139150.1
Littell elected free agency on November 10, 2022, concluding his tenure with the Giants after two seasons as a key depth piece in their .

Texas Rangers (2023)

On February 3, 2023, Littell signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and received a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training camp. His performance during the spring was underwhelming, leading to his assignment to the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, the , to begin the season. In eight appearances with Round Rock of the , Littell compiled a 2–0 record with a 2.25 , allowing nine hits and two walks while striking out 16 over 12 . He did not factor into any major league games during his brief tenure in the organization. On May 5, 2023, the Rangers traded Littell to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations, ending his time with after less than three months.

Boston Red Sox (2023)

On May 5, 2023, the Boston Red Sox acquired Littell from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations, adding depth to their bullpen amid early-season injuries. The following day, May 6, the Red Sox selected his contract from Triple-A Worcester, promoting him to the major league roster; he wore uniform number 52 during his brief tenure. Littell made his first appearance for Boston on May 7 against the Philadelphia Phillies at , entering in relief during a 7-5 loss. He pitched one inning, allowing two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and no strikeouts, contributing to the Red Sox's ongoing search for reliable middle relief options. Two days later, on May 9 versus the at , he again came out of the bullpen in a 7-3 defeat, working two innings and surrendering one hit, one earned run, one walk, and two strikeouts. Over his two outings with Boston, Littell logged 3.0 , permitting three hits, three earned runs (for a 9.00 ERA), three walks, and two strikeouts, with no decisions recorded. On May 10, after just four days on the active roster, the Red Sox designated Littell for assignment to clear space for infielder , who was recalled from the minors. Littell cleared waivers but was claimed by the on , ending his short stint with without a longer audition in the majors. His time with the Red Sox highlighted the team's volatility in 2023, as they ranked 24th in MLB with a 4.68 relief entering June.

Tampa Bay Rays (2023–2025)

On May 12, 2023, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed Littell off waivers from the Boston Red Sox, where he had appeared in just two games earlier that season. Initially deployed as a reliever, Littell transitioned to a starting role in July, making 14 starts for the Rays and posting a 3.63 ERA over 10 outings after officially joining the rotation. For the full 2023 season with Tampa Bay, he finished 3–6 with a 3.93 ERA in 87 innings across 26 appearances (14 starts), providing reliable depth to a rotation plagued by injuries. In 2024, Littell solidified his position as a mainstay in the Rays' rotation, making all 29 of his appearances as starts and logging a career-high 156.1 . He recorded an 8–10 mark with a 3.63 , striking out 141 batters while limiting opponents to a .247 , and stood out as one of the few Rays pitchers to avoid major injury setbacks that year. His consistent command and ability to work deep into games contributed to the team's pitching stability, with several outings exceeding five . Littell's tenure with the Rays extended into 2025, where he began the season in the rotation and went 8–8 with a 3.58 over 133.1 in 22 starts before the break. On July 30, 2025, the Rays traded him to the in a three-team deal that also involved the , sending Littell to in exchange for catcher Hunter Feduccia, right-hander Brian Van Belle, and left-hander Adam Serwinowski (Cincinnati's No. 10 prospect). Over his three seasons with , Littell compiled a 19–24 record with a 3.68 in 376.2 , evolving from a claim into a dependable mid-rotation arm.

Cincinnati Reds (2025–present)

On July 30, 2025, the traded Littell to the in exchange for minor league pitchers Belle and Serwinowski. Acquired to bolster the starting rotation amid a playoff push, Littell joined a Reds team that finished the season 83-79 and in third place in the . Littell made 10 starts for the Reds over the remainder of the 2025 season, posting a 2-0 record with a 4.39 , 1.069 , and 41 strikeouts in 53.1 . His performance provided stability to the back end of the rotation, allowing just 1.2 earned runs per start on average during his time in . In the postseason, Littell started Game 2 of the National League against the on September 30, 2025, taking the loss in the Reds' 2-0 series defeat. Following the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, Littell became a , eligible to sign with any team ahead of the 2026 campaign. Projections placed him among the mid-tier starting pitchers available, with estimates for a multi-year in the range of $18 million total value.

Awards and honors

Minor league accomplishments

Littell's minor league career began after being selected by the Mariners in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of Eastern Alamance High School. He progressed steadily through the Mariners' system, reaching High-A Bakersfield in 2016, where he posted a 13-6 record with a 2.66 over 165.2 innings, including two complete games. That season, he earned Pitcher of the Week honors on June 6 while with Low-A , after a strong outing, and later California League Pitcher of the Week on August 21 with Bakersfield. Additionally, his dominant July performance—going 4-0 with a league-leading 0.84 in five starts—earned him Player of the Month. In 2017, Littell achieved his most notable minor league success, compiling a 19-1 record with a 2.12 across 157 split between Tampa (Florida State League) and Double-A affiliates. He started the year 9-1 with Tampa, tying for the FSL lead in wins and ranking fourth in , which led to his selection as a Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star. Following a midseason trade to the , he went 7-0 with Double-A Chattanooga, contributing to a 10-0 record across Double-A affiliates that year and his league-wide minor league lead in victories. He was also named to the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team. This exceptional campaign also garnered him MiLB.com Fans' Choice for Best Starting Pitcher with the in the Southern League and a nomination for Sports' Minor League Player of the Year. Over his full minor league tenure from 2013 to 2023, Littell recorded 51 wins against 38 losses with a 3.58 in 865.2 , demonstrating consistent development as a before his major league debut.

Major league recognition

In 2024, Littell received the Paul C. Smith Champion Award from the chapter of the , recognizing him as the Rays player who best exemplified true professionalism on and off the field. The award, presented before the team's final home game on September 22, 2024, honors qualities such as dedication, character, and positive impact on teammates and the community. Littell, in his first full season as a for , expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting it aligned with his personal values of treating others with respect beyond his on-field performance.

References

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