1. Overview
Zachary Charles Miner (born March 12, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, and also played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Lamigo Monkeys.
2. Early Life and Background
Miner's early life and entry into professional baseball began with his high school career, followed by his selection in the MLB draft and development within the minor league system.
2.1. Birth and Education
Zachary Charles Miner was born on March 12, 1982, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. He played high school baseball for Palm Beach Gardens Community High School. In 2000, he received the second-team All-American pitcher award and was offered a full scholarship to Miami University.
2.2. Draft and Minor League Career
Miner, a right-handed and right-handed player, was a fourth-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 MLB Draft, selected 106th overall. Standing at 6 in and weighing 205 lb (205 lb), he had no previous college experience before playing minor and major league baseball.
He spent 2001-2004 in the Braves' minor league system, pitching for the Single-A Jamestown Jammers (2001), Class-A Macon Braves (2002), Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2003), and Double-A Greenville Braves (2004). In 2005, he began the season with the Double-A Mississippi Braves, but after four games, he was promoted to the Triple-A Richmond Braves. Miner started 17 games for the Richmond Braves, achieving a 2-7 record with a 4.23 ERA.
3. Professional Career
Miner's professional career spanned several organizations, including multiple stints with the Detroit Tigers, and extended to international play in Taiwan.
3.1. Atlanta Braves
Miner spent several years developing within the Atlanta Braves' minor league system. On July 31, 2005, the Braves traded Miner and relief pitcher Román Colón to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for setup man/closer Kyle Farnsworth.
3.2. Detroit Tigers
Miner did not make the 25-man roster at the end of the 2006 spring training, but he was called up to the Detroit Tigers in May 2006 to replace the injured Mike Maroth. He made his MLB debut on June 4, 2006. He served as a reliable fifth starter but was moved to the bullpen near the end of the season. He was included on the Tigers' playoff roster as a reliever and pitched once in the 2006 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, contributing to the team's American League championship.
In 2007, Zach started the season in Triple-A Toledo, but was called up on May 17 and made a spot start against the Boston Red Sox in place of the sick Mike Maroth. After a brief return to Toledo, Miner was called up again to help in the bullpen. He finished the 2007 season with a 3-4 record while pitching in 34 games, allowing 22 runs (18 earned) through 53 and two-thirds innings.
Miner started the 2008 season with the Tigers, but was sent to Toledo on July 2 after walking four batters in two innings in a loss to the Minnesota Twins. On July 21, Miner returned to the Tigers as a starter against the Kansas City Royals. Miner pitched six shutout innings in the Tigers' 19-4 victory.
In April 2009, Miner had a strong start in his first outing of the season but struggled in his second outing against the Chicago White Sox. In this game, he allowed back-to-back home runs to Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko, which were the 300th career home runs for both players. Miner underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2010 and missed the entire 2010 season. Following the surgery, he was designated for assignment.
3.3. Kansas City Royals
Miner signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 31, 2010.
3.4. Detroit Tigers (second stint)
On April 20, 2012, Miner was traded back to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations, marking his second stint with the organization.
3.5. Philadelphia Phillies
Miner signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2012. He received a call-up to the major leagues on August 3, 2013. On September 20, he joined the Phillies' starting rotation after Kyle Kendrick was shut down for the remainder of the season. Miner made three starts, none lasting more than four innings. In his final MLB appearance on September 29, 2013, he took the loss after allowing five runs in two and one-third innings against the Atlanta Braves. In his first major league action since 2009, Miner finished the season with a 0-2 record and a 4.40 ERA in 28 and two-thirds innings. He was outrighted off the roster on October 3, 2013, and elected free agency on October 7, 2013.
3.6. Seattle Mariners
Miner signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on February 13, 2014, which included a spring training invitation. He pitched in 21 games for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, recording an 8.60 ERA in what was his last stint in American affiliated baseball. He was released on June 9, 2014.
3.7. Lamigo Monkeys
Shortly after his release from the Seattle Mariners, Miner signed with the Lamigo Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan. In five starts for the Monkeys, he had a 9.00 ERA.
4. Playing Style and Statistics
Zachary Miner was a right-handed pitcher who demonstrated versatility by serving as both a starter and reliever throughout his career. His career included stints in Major League Baseball, various minor league levels, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
Notable statistics include his 4.23 ERA with the Triple-A Richmond Braves in 2005, his 3-4 record in 34 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2007, and his 4.40 ERA in 28 and two-thirds innings during his 2013 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Towards the end of his career, he recorded an 8.60 ERA in 21 games with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers and a 9.00 ERA in five starts with the Lamigo Monkeys.
5. Uniform Numbers
Zachary Miner wore the following jersey numbers during his professional baseball career:
| Number | Years |
|---|---|
| 31 | 2006-2009 |
| 45 | 2013 |
| 50 | 2014 |
6. Assessment and Legacy
Miner's contributions to his teams primarily involved his adaptability and role in a significant championship run.
6.1. Contributions to Team Success
Miner played a significant role in the Detroit Tigers' 2006 season, contributing to their American League championship and appearing in the 2006 World Series. He served as a reliable fifth starter and later a reliever, adapting to team needs throughout the season.