Vin Mazzaro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vin Mazzaro
Mazzaro with the Sacramento River Cats
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1986-09-27) September 27, 1986 (age 37)
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 2, 2009, for the Oakland Athletics
Last MLB appearance
May 5, 2016, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Win–loss record24–23
Earned run average4.79
Strikeouts233
Teams

Vincent Michael Mazzaro (born September 27, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, and San Francisco Giants.

Early years[edit]

Mazzaro grew up in Rutherford, New Jersey, and attended Rutherford High School, where he led the team to two consecutive state championships.[1]

Professional career[edit]

Oakland Athletics[edit]

Mazzaro was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the third round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.

In December 2008, Baseball America named Mazzaro the #8 prospect in Oakland's organization.[2]

Mazzaro made his major league debut on June 2, 2009 against the Chicago White Sox. He earned the victory after pitching 6+13 innings without allowing a run.[3]

Kansas City Royals[edit]

Mazzaro was traded along with minor league pitcher Justin Marks to the Kansas City Royals for David DeJesus on November 10, 2010. After starting the 2011 season with the Omaha Storm Chasers, he was recalled by the Royals to replace the injured Bruce Chen on May 10.[4]

He surrendered 14 runs in 2+13 innings in an emergency appearance out of the bullpen in a 19–1 loss to the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium on May 16, 2011.[5] Besides setting a new franchise record for most runs yielded in a game, he became the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to allow that many without pitching 3 innings. His 14 earned runs given up was also the most by a relief pitcher since Les McCrabb of the Philadelphia Athletics allowed the same amount in four innings in a 19–4 defeat to the Boston Red Sox on April 16, 1942.[6] Originally scheduled to be the starter the following night, Mazzaro was optioned back to the Storm Chasers after the game.[7] Mazzaro was called back to Kansas City on June 7 after Royals starting pitcher Sean O'Sullivan was placed on the disabled list. The following year, he finished the season with an overall record of 4–3 with a 5.73 ERA in 18 games, primarily in relief.[8] On November 20, 2012, the Royals designated Mazzaro for assignment as they cleared room on the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft.[8]

Pittsburgh Pirates[edit]

On November 28, 2012, Mazzaro was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates with first baseman Clint Robinson in exchange for right-handed pitcher Luis Santos and left-hander Luis Rico. Santos and Rico both pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2012.[9]

Mazzaro was designated for assignment on March 29, 2014, and assigned outright to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on April 8.[10]

On May 26, 2014, Mazzaro was designated for assignment again in order for Brandon Cumpton to be called up.[11] He elected free agency in October 2014.[12]

Miami Marlins[edit]

On January 21, 2015, the Miami Marlins announced that they had signed Mazzaro to a minor league deal.[13] He split 21 games between Miami and the New Orleans Zephyrs.

Atlanta Braves[edit]

Mazzaro signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves on July 10, 2015. He was assigned to the Gwinnett Braves.

San Francisco Giants[edit]

Mazzaro signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on January 11, 2016. On April 30, 2016, Mazzaro was called to the major league roster in order to replace the struggling Mike Broadway. On May 5, 2016, Mazzaro gave up nine runs, while pitching 1/3 of an inning against the Colorado Rockies. Then next day he was designated for assignment to make room for Albert Suarez.[14]

Somerset Patriots[edit]

On May 9, 2017, Mazzaro signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Cincinnati Reds[edit]

Mazzaro signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on May 18, 2017.[15] He made only 2 starts for the Triple–A Louisville Bats, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) on 13 hits and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts in 4+13 innings pitched. Mazzaro elected free agency following the season on November 6.[16]

New Jersey Jackals[edit]

On May 6, 2018, Mazzaro signed with the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Can-Am League.

Long Island Ducks[edit]

On April 9, 2019, Mazzaro was traded to the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He won the 2019 ALPB championship with Long Island. He re-signed with the Ducks for the 2020 season on February 18, 2020.[17] Mazzaro did not play in a game in for the team due to the cancellation of the 2020 ALPB season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year. On April 20, 2021, Mazzaro re-signed with the Ducks for the 2021 season.[18] Mazzaro retired from professional baseball on September 9, 2021.[19]

Sussex County Miners[edit]

On May 6, 2022, Mazzaro came out of retirement and signed with the Sussex County Miners of the Frontier League.[20]

New Jersey Jackals (second stint)[edit]

On December 21, 2022, Mazzaro signed with the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League. [21] On March 5, 2024, Mazzaro was released by the Jackals.[22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Former Rutherford High star gets win in AAA baseball"
  2. ^ "Oakland Athletics Top MLB Prospects, Rankings".
  3. ^ "A's Mazzaro masterful in debut". Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  4. ^ "Royals to place pitcher Bruce Chen on 15-day DL tomorrow and recall pitcher Vin Mazzaro," Kansas City Royals press release, Tuesday, May 10, 2011.
  5. ^ Cleveland Indians 19, at Kansas City Royals 1; Monday, May 16, 2011 – MLB.com.
  6. ^ Kaegel, Dick. "Mazzaro posts wrong type of standout numbers," MLB.com, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
  7. ^ Kaegel, Dick. "Davies injured; Mazzaro optioned to Omaha," MLB.com, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Kaegel, Dick (November 20, 2012). "Royals make moves to finalize 40-man roster". MLB.com via KC Royals. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  9. ^ Kaegel, Dick (November 28, 2012). "KC deals Mazzaro, Robinson to Bucs for pitching". MLB.com via Royals team website. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  10. ^ Menendez, Jenn (April 8, 2014). "Pirates reliever Mazzaro clears waivers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Pirates Designate Vin Mazzaro for Assignment".
  12. ^ Polishuk, Mark (October 6, 2014). "Players Who Have Elected Minor League Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  13. ^ "Minor Moves: Marlins, Johnson, Willis".
  14. ^ Eymer, Rick. "Giants add Suarez to bullpen, drop Mazzaro". MLB.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  15. ^ "atlanticleague.com: Statistics". Archived from the original on February 10, 2016.
  16. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "Eight-Year MLB Vet Vin Mazzaro Back in Fold - OurSports Central". February 18, 2020.
  18. ^ "MLB Veteran and 2019 ALPB Champion Vin Mazzaro Returns - OurSports Central". April 20, 2021.
  19. ^ Atlantic League Transactions
  20. ^ "Friday's Transactions - Federal News Network". May 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "2023 Transactions".
  22. ^ "2023-2024 Transactions".

External links[edit]