History of Zach Eflin in Timeline

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Zach Eflin

Zach Eflin is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Baltimore Orioles in MLB. Prior to joining the Orioles, Eflin played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays. He is known for his pitching abilities in Major League Baseball.

April 8, 1994: Zach Eflin Born

On April 8, 1994, Zachary Adams Eflin was born. He is an American professional baseball pitcher.

Others born on this day/year

1998: Historical Context

In December 13, 2022, The contract signed by Eflin, topped the five-year, $35 million contract given to Wilson Álvarez before their inaugural 1998 season.

2000: Fourth-youngest Pitcher

In 2016, at 22 years of age, Eflin became the fourth-youngest pitcher to debut for the Phillies since 2000.

2012: Eflin Drafted by Padres

In 2012, Zach Eflin was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round (33rd overall) of the MLB draft.

2012: Signed with Padres

In 2012, Zach Eflin was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the MLB draft and signed with the team for a $1.2 million signing bonus, foregoing his enrollment at UCF. He began his professional career with the AZL Padres.

December 2014: Eflin Traded

In December 2014, Eflin was traded twice within 24 hours: first to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a package for Matt Kemp, and then to the Phillies as part of a package for Jimmy Rollins.

December 18, 2014: Padres Traded Eflin to Dodgers

On December 18, 2014, the Padres traded Eflin, Joe Wieland, and Yasmani Grandal to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Matt Kemp, Tim Federowicz, and cash.

2014: Pitched for Lake Elsinore Storm

In 2014, Zach Eflin pitched for the Lake Elsinore Storm, finishing the season with a 10-7 record, a 3.80 ERA, and 93 strikeouts in 128 innings.

2015: Phillies Minor League System

In 2015, Eflin played in the Eastern League as part of the Phillies' minor league system, finishing with an 8-6 record, a 3.69 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP. He was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week on April 12, was an Eastern League All-Star, and won a silver medal at the Pan American Games with Team USA.

2015: Phillies Rebuilding Efforts

In 2015, The Phillies had zeroed in on Eflin on the advice of Gorman Heimueller, a former Phillies instructor working in the Padres organization, who said that Eflin "had a lead-pipe sinker and the makings to pitch at the top of a rotation once he could master the slider."

June 14, 2016: MLB Debut

On June 14, 2016, Eflin made his MLB debut for the Phillies, allowing eight earned runs against the Toronto Blue Jays.

2016: MLB Debut with Phillies

In 2016, Zach Eflin made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies.

April 17, 2017: International League Pitcher of the Week

On April 17, 2017, Eflin was named the International League Pitcher of the Week.

2018: Returned to Major Leagues

In 2018, Eflin returned to the major leagues with a new approach on the mound, recording career-high strikeout totals. He finished the season with an 11-8 record, a 4.36 ERA, and 123 strikeouts.

2018: Shift in Pitching Strategy

In 2018, Zach Eflin, previously known for his sinker and slider combination aimed at groundball outs, began throwing harder to increase strikeouts.

2019: Return to Original Approach

After struggling with his harder-throwing approach, Zach Eflin moved away from that strategy in 2019 and began to return to his original pitching style.

2019: Disabled List with Back Injury

In 2019, Eflin started in the rotation before being placed on the disabled list on May 31 with a back injury. He led the National League with two complete games and one shutout.

2019: Became an Anchor

In 2019, Zach Eflin established himself in the major leagues and became a key part of the Phillies' starting rotation.

December 2020: Marriage to Lauren Dennen

In December 2020, Zach Eflin married his longtime girlfriend, Lauren Dennen.

2020: Aggressive Curveball

In 2020, Zach Eflin abandoned the power pitcher approach and focused on his sinker. He became more aggressive in throwing a curveball. He had a career-best 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

2020: Incorporation of Curveball

In 2020, Zach Eflin started using a 79 mph curveball more frequently, reducing his reliance on the changeup. This adjustment led to more strikeouts.

September 8, 2021: Season-Ending Knee Surgery

On September 8, 2021, Zach Eflin underwent season-ending knee surgery to repair a tear in his right patellar tendon.

October 9, 2021: Birth of Daughter

On October 9, 2021, Zach Eflin and his wife Lauren Dennen welcomed their daughter.

2021: Eflin Reflected on the Trade

During spring training in 2021, Zach Eflin reflected on being traded, noting it felt like "someone wanted me more."

2021: Expectations as a Number One Pitcher

Entering the 2021 season, Zach Eflin's increased strikeouts led to expectations that he could perform as a number one starting pitcher, though his durability remained a concern due to a history of knee injuries.

September 2022: Moved to Bullpen

After returning from a right knee contusion in September 2022, Eflin was moved to the bullpen.

November 7, 2022: Free Agent

On November 7, 2022, two days after the Phillies lost the 2022 World Series, Eflin declined his end of the mutual option for the 2023 season, becoming a free agent for the first time in his career.

December 13, 2022: Signed with the Tampa Bay Rays

On December 13, 2022, Zach Eflin signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

2022: Right Knee Contusion

In 2022, Eflin suffered a right knee contusion and was placed on the 60-day injured list. He was later moved to the bullpen.

March 2023: Birth of Twin Daughters

In March 2023, Zach Eflin and his wife Lauren Dennen welcomed twin daughters.

2023: Eflin's Performance with Tampa Bay

In 2023, Zach Eflin made 31 starts for Tampa Bay, achieving a 16-8 record and a 3.50 ERA with 186 strikeouts.

2023: Buyout

On November 7, 2022, Zach Eflin declined his end of the mutual option for the 2023 season, receiving a $150,000 buyout.

July 26, 2024: Traded to Baltimore Orioles

On July 26, 2024, Zach Eflin was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Matthew Etzel, Jackson Baumeister, and Mac Horvath.

2024: Started the Season with the Rays

In 2024, Zach Eflin began the campaign in the Rays' rotation, logging a 5-7 record and 4.09 ERA with 87 strikeouts across 19 starts.

February 2025: Birth of Son

In February 2025, Zach Eflin and his wife Lauren Dennen welcomed a son.