Zachary Thomas Godley (born April 21, 1990) is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

who is a free agent. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...

, and

Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. The Brewers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Di ...

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

Godley attended

Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School is a senior high school in Bamberg, South Carolina. Since 2022 it is a part of the Bamberg County School District, which includes all of Bamberg County. Prior to 2022, it was a part of Bamberg School District One, ...

. In 2009, as a senior, he went 9–3 with a 2.24 ERA. He was drafted by the

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...

in the 50th round of the

2009 MLB draft The 2009 Major League Baseball draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. The drafting order is as follows: First-round selections Key Supplemental first-round selections From Baseball Americ ...

but did not sign and instead enrolled at

Spartanburg Methodist College Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) is a private college in Saxon, South Carolina, United States, with a Spartanburg, South Carolina, Spartanburg postal address. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and enrolled 1,128 studen ...

where he played

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...

. After his freshman season, he transferred to the

University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (or The University of Tennessee; UT; UT Knoxville; or colloquially UTK or Tennessee) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, United St ...

. In 2013, his senior year, he went 5–7 with a 3.49 ERA in 16 games (14 starts). After the season, he was then drafted by the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...

in the 10th round of the

2013 MLB draft The 2013 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2013. The first two rounds were broadcast from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. Each team received one selection per round, going in reverse order of t ...

and signed. Godley signed and made his professional debut that season with the

AZL Cubs The Arizona Complex League Cubs are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays it home games at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. The team is composed mainly of player ...

and was promoted to the

Boise Hawks The Boise Hawks are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. Home games are played at Memorial Stadium in unincorporated Ada County, Idaho, near ...

after one game. In 13 relief appearances for Boise he compiled a 2–0 record and 2.03 ERA. Godley spent 2014 with the

Kane County Cougars The Kane County Cougars are a professional baseball team located in Geneva, Illinois, and are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball (MLB). They play their home games a ...

and

Daytona Cubs Daytona may refer to: Locations * Daytona Beach, Florida * Daytona Beach Shores, Florida * South Daytona, Florida * The Daytona Beach metropolitan area * Halifax area, also known as Daytona, the region around Daytona Beach Motor racing * Day ...

, pitching to a combined 4–3 record and 3.09 ERA in 55.1 relief innings pitched.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 9, 2014, Godley, along with Jeferson Mejia, was traded to the

for

Miguel Montero Miguel Angel Montero Fernandez (born July 9, 1983) is a Venezuelan-American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals ...

. He began 2015 with

Visalia Rawhide The Visalia Rawhide are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Visalia, California, and have played their home games at Valley Strong Ballpark since their ...

and was promoted to the

Mobile BayBears The Mobile BayBears were a Minor League Baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which played in the Southern League, served as the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres (1997–2006), Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2 ...

in June. Godley made his MLB debut on July 23, 2015, against the

. He threw six scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking none as he earned the win as Arizona defeated Milwaukee, 8–3. He became the first pitcher since 1900 with 6-plus scoreless innings, no walks and 7 or more strikeouts in his MLB debut. Godley was recalled and demoted multiple times during the 2015 season after his debut. In nine games (six starts) for Arizona he was 5–1 with a 3.19 ERA, and in 21 games (17 starts) between Visalia and Mobile, he was 10–4 with a 2.71 ERA. Godley began 2016 with Mobile and was promoted to the

Reno Aces The Reno Aces are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Reno, Nevada, and play their home games at Greater Nevada Field, w ...

in May. He was recalled and demoted twice before being called up for the remainder of the season in July. In 15 games (14 starts) between Mobile and Reno he pitched to a 4–6 record and 3.62 ERA, and in 27 games for Arizona, he compiled a 5–4 record and 6.39 ERA. In 2017, Godley began the season back with Reno. He was recalled in June and spent the rest of 2017 with Arizona. In 26 games (25 starts) for the Diamondbacks he was 8–9 with a 3.37 ERA. Godley began the 2018 season with Arizona as a member of the starting rotation. He finished the season with a 15–11 record in 33 games (32 starts), with a 4.74 ERA. He struck out 185 batters in innings. He led the major leagues in

wild pitch In baseball, a wild pitch (WP) is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, or the batter (on an uncaught third st ...

es, with 17. He also led all major league pitchers in

curveball In baseball and softball, the curveball is a type of pitch thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball, causing it to dive as it approaches the plate. Varieties of curveball include the 12–6 curve ...

percentage (40.3%). During the 2019 season, Godley appeared in 27 games for Arizona (nine starts), compiling a 3–5 record with 6.39 ERA in 76 innings pitched. On August 5, Godley was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

Toronto Blue Jays

The

claimed Godley off waivers on August 7, 2019. He appeared in six games for the Blue Jays, recording one win and registering a 3.94 ERA in 16 innings pitched. On September 3, Godley was designated for assignment. He elected free agency on September 8.

Detroit Tigers

On December 20, 2019, the

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

signed Godley to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. In March 2020, Godley was released, then re-signed by the Tigers on a minor league pact. On July 13, 2020, Godley was again released by the Tigers.

Boston Red Sox

On July 17, 2020, Godley signed a minor league deal with the

. He was added to the team's active roster on July 26, and made his first appearance with Boston the next day, pitching four innings of scoreless relief in a 7–4 loss to the

. He was placed on the 10-day

injured list In Major League Baseball (MLB), the injured list (IL) is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players. Before the 2019 season, it was known as the disabled list (DL). General guidelines ...

on September 10, and moved to the 45-day injured list on September 19. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Godley appeared in eight games (seven starts), compiling an 0–4 record with 8.16 ERA and 28 strikeouts in innings. On October 26, Godley was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Milwaukee Brewers

On March 19, 2021, Godley signed a minor league contract with the

organization. On April 28, 2021, Godley was selected to the active roster to be the starting pitcher in the Brewers’ game against the

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...

and allowed 3 earned runs in 3.0 innings, taking the loss. The next day, he was placed on the injured list with a right index finger contusion. On May 10, Godley was activated from the injured list and designated for assignment. He cleared outright waivers on May 12 and was assigned outright to Triple-A. On June 18, Godley was re-selected to the active roster. After allowing 3 earned runs in a third of an inning, Godley was again designated for assignment on June 21. He was outrighted to the Triple-A

Nashville Sounds The Nashville Sounds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the ci ...

on June 24. However, Godley rejected the outright assignment and elected free agency the next day.

Cleveland Indians

On June 28, 2021, Godley signed a minor league contract with the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...

organization and was assigned to the

Columbus Clippers The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy Merchant ship, merch ...

of the

Triple-A East The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (M ...

. Godley was released by the Indians on August 2, 2021.

New York Mets

On August 7, 2021, Godley signed a minor league deal with the

. Godley made 4 starts for the Triple-A

Syracuse Mets The Syracuse Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Syracuse, New York, and play their home games at NBT Bank Stadium, which ope ...

, going 2–0 with a 2.33 ERA and 17 strikeouts. On August 30, Godley was granted his release by the Mets.

Cincinnati Reds

On February 21, 2022, Godley signed a minor league contract with the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...

. In 14 games for the Triple–A

Louisville Bats The Louisville Bats are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Louisville, Kentucky, and are named in dual reference to the bat, wi ...

, he struggled to an 8.06 ERA with 29 strikeouts across innings pitched. On May 26, Godley was released by the Reds organization.

Gastonia Honey Hunters

On June 7, 2022, Godley signed with the

Gastonia Honey Hunters The Gastonia Honey Hunters were a professional baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina. They played in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a "partner league" of Major League Baseball, at CaroMont Health Pa ...

of the

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...

. In 15 games (11 starts) for Gastonia, he recorded a 4.64 ERA with 64 strikeouts in innings. Godley became a free agent following the season. On April 19, 2023, Godley re-signed with the Honey Hunters for the 2023 season. In 13 starts for Gastonia, he registered a 5–3 record and 4.79 ERA with 86 strikeouts in innings pitched.

Oakland Athletics

On July 18, 2023, Godley signed a minor league contract with the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...

organization. He made 12 appearances (10 starts) for the Triple–A

Las Vegas Aviators The Las Vegas Aviators, formerly known as the Las Vegas 51s and Las Vegas Stars, are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics. They are located in Summerlin South, Nevada, a comm ...

, registering a 5.21 ERA with 57 strikeouts across 57 innings of work. Godley elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Personal

Godley and his wife, Autumn, have two daughters.

References

External links

Tennessee Volunteers bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Godley, Zack 1990 births Living people American expatriate baseball players in Canada Arizona Diamondbacks players Arizona League Cubs players Baseball players from South Carolina Boise Hawks players Boston Red Sox players Daytona Cubs players Gastonia Honey Hunters players Kane County Cougars players Major League Baseball pitchers Milwaukee Brewers players Mobile BayBears players Nashville Sounds players People from Bamberg, South Carolina Reno Aces players Spartanburg Methodist Pioneers baseball players Toronto Blue Jays players Tennessee Volunteers baseball players Visalia Rawhide players Columbus Clippers players Syracuse Mets players