History of Zach Eflin in Timeline

Zachary Adams Eflin is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Baltimore Orioles. He previously played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays.

April 8, 1994: Birth of Zach Eflin

Zach Eflin was born on April 8, 1994.

1998: No significant events found for this date.

No significant events found for this date.

2000: Fourth-Youngest Pitcher to Debut Since 2000

Zach Eflin became the fourth-youngest pitcher to debut for the Phillies since 2000.

2012: Professional Debut in the Arizona Fall League

Eflin began his professional career in 2012 with the AZL Padres in the Arizona Fall League.

2012: Drafted by the San Diego Padres

In 2012, Zach Eflin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the MLB draft.

December 2014: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies

On December 2014, Zach Eflin was part of two trades, first being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and then to the Philadelphia Phillies.

December 18, 2014: Traded to the Dodgers and Phillies

On December 18, 2014, Zach Eflin was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and then to the Philadelphia Phillies in separate deals.

2014: Pitched for the Lake Elsinore Storm

In 2014, Zach Eflin played for the Lake Elsinore Storm, achieving a 10-7 win-loss record and a 3.80 ERA.

2015: Played in the Eastern League and Pan American Games

In 2015, Zach Eflin played in the Eastern League and represented Team USA in the Pan American Games, winning a silver medal.

2015: Phillies Begin Rebuilding Process

The Philadelphia Phillies, under general manager Rubén Amaro Jr., began a rebuilding process in 2015.

June 14, 2016: MLB Debut

On June 14, 2016, at 22 years old, Zach Eflin made his MLB debut against the Toronto Blue Jays.

2016: MLB Debut with the Phillies

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

April 17, 2017: International League Pitcher of the Week

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

2018: Experimenting with a Power Pitching Style

In 2018, Eflin, known for his sinker-slider combination, experimented with a power pitching approach, aiming for more strikeouts.

2018: Return to the Majors and Career-High Strikeouts

In 2018, Zach Eflin started the season in Triple-A but was called up to the majors by the end of April. He achieved career-high strikeout totals and played most of the season with the big-league club.

2019: Eflin's All-Star Potential and Injury Struggles

Eflin showed promise in 2019, even leading the National League in complete games, but a back injury and struggles adapting to a power pitching approach hampered his progress.

2019: Struggles with Power Pitching and Return to Sinker-Slider Approach

Following struggles with power pitching in 2019, Eflin returned to his sinker-slider approach, prioritizing groundball outs and command.

2019: Becomes a Starting Pitcher for the Phillies

In 2019, Zach Eflin became a consistent starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.

December 2020: Marriage to Lauren Dennen

Eflin married his longtime girlfriend, Lauren Dennen, in December 2020.

2020: Incorporating a Curveball and Reducing Reliance on Changeup

Eflin further refined his pitching repertoire in 2020, incorporating a curveball more frequently and relying less on his changeup.

2020: Shift in Pitching Approach and Career-Best Strikeouts

In 2020, Eflin moved away from power pitching and embraced a sinker-curveball approach, leading to a career-best strikeout rate and renewed hope for his future.

September 8, 2021: Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Eflin's 2021 season was cut short due to a tear in his right patellar tendon, requiring surgery and raising concerns about his long-term durability.

October 9, 2021: Birth of Daughter

Zach Eflin and his wife, Lauren Dennen, welcomed their first child, a daughter, on October 9, 2021.

2021: Durability Concerns and Potential as a Top Starter

Despite his potential as a top starter, Eflin's durability, particularly due to knee injuries, remained a concern in 2021 and beyond.

2021: Eflin Reflects on Trade

In 2021, during spring training, Zach Eflin reflected on his 2014 trade to the Phillies as a turning point in his career.

September 2022: Moved to the Bullpen

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

November 7, 2022: Declining Mutual Option and Entering Free Agency

Following the Phillies' loss in the 2022 World Series, Eflin opted to decline his mutual option, becoming a free agent for the first time in his career.

December 13, 2022: Record-Breaking Contract with the Tampa Bay Rays

In a historic move, Eflin signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, making it the largest free agent deal in the team's history.

2022: Move to the Bullpen and Playoff Performance

After a knee injury in 2022, Eflin transitioned to the bullpen. He thrived in this new role, recording a 3.38 ERA in the playoffs and earning a save in a crucial game.