Zach Britton, Relief Pitcher, New York Yankees

Date of Birth: 12/22/1987
Birthplace: Panorama City, California

Zach Britton, relief pitcher for the New York Yankees, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2006. He signed with them, giving up an athletic scholarship to Texas A&M University. He pitched in the Orioles' minor league system from 2006 through 2011.

Britton joined the Orioles' starting rotation in 2011. He finished the season with a 4.61 ERA and an 11-11 record in 154.1 innings in 28 games. The following season he had a shoulder injury that limited his playing time to 12 games. He spent most of 2013 back in the minors, pitching just 40.0 innings in 8 games with the Orioles.

Britton became the Orioles' closer in May, 2014. He finished the 2014 season with 37 saves and a 1.65 ERA in 76.1 innings in 71 games.

On February 4, 2015, Britton signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract with the Orioles. As the Orioles' closer in 2015, he had 36 saves, 79 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a 1.92 ERA in 65.2 innings in 64 games.

Britton had his best season so far in 2016, finishing with a career low ERA of 0.54. He had a career high 47 saves and 74 strikeouts to 18 walks in 67.0 innings in 69 games. For his achievements, he won the Mariano Rivera award as the AL reliever of the year.

Britton finished the 2017 season with 2 wins and 1 loss, 15 saves, 29 strikeouts to 18 walks, and a 2.89 ERA in 37.1 innings in 38 games.

The Orioles traded Britton to the Yankees on July 24, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 2 wins and no losses, 7 saves, 34 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 3.10 ERA in 16 games with the Orioles and 25 games with the Yankees. In the postseason, he pitched 5.0 innings in 4 games and he gave up 5 hits and 2 home runs.

Britton became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He re-signed with the Yankees on January 11, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 3 wins and 1 loss, 3 saves, 53 strikeouts to 32 walks, and a 1.91 ERA in 61.1 innings in 66 games. In the postseason, he pitched 8.0 innings in 7 games and he gave up 2 hits, 1 home run, and 1 run. He struck out 6 batters and walked 6, and he had a 1.13 ERA.

Britton pitched in 20 games in 2020. He finished the season with 1 win and 2 losses, 8 saves, and a 1.89 ERA in 19.0 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 5.1 innings in 4 games and he gave up 1 hit and 2 runs.

Britton spent time on the IL in 2021. He finished the season with no wins and 1 loss, 16 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a 5.89 ERA in 18.1 innings in 22 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Career pitching statistics for Britton through 2021 include:

• 439 games played
• 640.1 innings pitched
• 35-26 win-loss record
• 154 saves
• 531 strikeouts to 258 walks
• 3.12 ERA

Personal Life

Britton's brother Buck was drafted by the Orioles in 2008. He has played in the minor leagues since 2008. Defensively, he has been primarily an infielder, usually playing either at second base or at third base.

Britton's wife Courtney Leggett is a law student. They have one child who was born on October 7, 2014.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Zach Britton
ESPN - Zach Britton