Zach Eflin

Zach Eflin
Eflin with the Phillies in 2016
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 56
Pitcher
Born: April 8, 1994 Chuluota, Florida
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 14, 2016, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics (through 2016 season)
Win–loss record	3–5
Earned run average	5.54
Strikeouts	31
WHIP	1.33
Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (2016–present)

Medal record
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
	2015 Toronto	Team

Zachary Eflin (born April 8, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut on June 14, 2016.

Career

Eflin attended Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida.^[1][2] In his senior year, Eflin had a 0.51 earned run average (ERA) and 59 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.^[1] Eflin committed to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF) on a college baseball scholarship.^[1][2] Following his high school career, the San Diego Padres selected Eflin in the first round, with the 33rd overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.^[3] Rather than enroll at UCF, Eflin signed with the Padres, receiving a $1.2 million signing bonus.^[4]

Eflin began his professional career in the Arizona League, pitching to a 7.71 ERA in four appearances.^[5] His performance was hampered by mononucleosis.^[6] He pitched for the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Class A Midwest League in 2013. His 2.73 ERA led the league. In 2014, Eflin pitched for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class A-Advanced California League, and finished the season with a 10–7 win–loss record and a 3.80 ERA.^[7]

On December 18, 2014, the Padres traded Eflin, Joe Wieland, and Yasmani Grandal to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Tim Federowicz, Matt Kemp, and cash.^[8] The Dodgers then traded Eflin, along with Tom Windle, to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jimmy Rollins.^[9] The Phillies invited Eflin to spring training in 2015 as a non-roster player.^[10] Eflin spent the 2015 season with the Reading Fightin Phils of the Class AA Eastern League,^[11][12] and pitched to a 8-6 record and a 3.69 ERA. He received another invitation to spring training in 2016.^[13] Eflin began the 2016 season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Class AAA International League, and was named the league's pitcher of the week on April 18.^[14]

Eflin made his major league debut on June 14, 2016,^[15] allowing eight earned runs by the Toronto Blue Jays in  2 ²⁄₃ innings on nine hits, three of which were home runs. Eflin's game score of five was the sixth-worst debut in major league history, and worst in Phillies franchise history.^[16] Eflin rebounded with two complete games in the month of July, including a shutout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 22.^[17][18] The Phillies placed Eflin on the disabled list on August 9 due to patellar tendinopathy in both knees,^[19] and he underwent season-ending knee surgery ten days later.^[20]

Personal life

Eflin's father, Larry, played college football for Temple University. His paternal grandfather is a pastor.^[21] Zach has three older sisters, Candace, Brittany and Ashley. Candace was deprived of oxygen at birth, and developed intellectual disabilities. Ashley died of leukemia in 1995.^[1][21] Following Ashley's death, Eflin's mother developed alcoholism.^[1] Baseball served as an escape from his troubled home life.^[2]

References

1. Lyon, Austin (June 1, 2012). "Family challenges don't keep Hagerty ace from becoming top draft prospect". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
2. Parker, Brandon (May 11, 2012). "Baseball has been a lifeline for Zach Eflin". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
3. Lyon, Austin (June 4, 2012). "Zach Eflin and Walker Weickel both taken by San Diego Padres in MLB draft". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
4. "PADRES: Second pick Eflin signs below slotted amount". U-T San Diego. June 16, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
5. "Eflin goes a career-best seven innings". U-T San Diego. May 29, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
6. "Pitchers Fried, Eflin, Weickel visit Petco Park". U-T San Diego. September 10, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
7. Connifff, Jon (September 23, 2014). "Under the radar, Zach Eflin making a name for himself". Fox Sports San Diego. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
8. "Padres acquire OF Matt Kemp". ESPN.com. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
9. Stephen, Eric (December 19, 2014). "Jimmy Rollins trade finalized by Dodgers, Phillies". truebluela.com. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
10. "Eflin excited for Spring Training start". Courier-Post. March 29, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
11. "Zach Eflin impressive in season debut". Philly.com. April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
12. "Philadelphia Phillies prospect Zach Eflin sparkles in Reading Fightin Phils debut". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
13. "Phillies invite top prospects to spring training". philly-archives. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
14. "Eflin, Alfaro earn weekly honors; IronPigs reach milestone". The Morning Call. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
15. "IronPigs pitcher Zach Eflin to make next start with Phillies". The Express-Times. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
16. Stolnis, John (June 14, 2016). "Zach Eflin's debut was one of the worst in MLB history". The Good Phight.
17. Zolecki, Todd (July 5, 2016). "Eflin dazzles, goes distance for 1st victory". MLB.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
18. Perrotto, John (July 22, 2016). "Zach Eflin Tosses 1st Shutout in Phillies' Win Over Pirates". CSN Philly. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
19. Zolecki, Todd (August 9, 2016). "Knee issues force Phillies' Eflin to DL". MLB.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
20. Breen, Matt (August 19, 2016). "Zach Eflin has season-ending knee surgery". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
21. Breen, Matt (March 14, 2015). "Hats off to Eflin's inspiring message". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 14, 2016.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)