Zach Penrod stood on the Yankee Stadium mound on September 14, 2024, heart pounding as Austin Wells and Jazz Chisholm Jr. dug in. The Napa, Idaho right-hander fired strikes past both all while carrying scars from a journey few could endure.
It began humbly in 2018 as an undrafted free agent with Texas. Rookie ball brought a 6.00+ ERA over three starts. Then came Tommy John surgery, wiping out 2019. COVID stole 2020.
2021 hit hardest. Rangers released him. No waiver claims. Penrod packed his bag for independent ball Boise Hawks, Pioneer League. The results were brutal: 5.66 ERA in '21, 6.97 in '22.
But 2023 felt different. With Missoula PaddleHeads, his fastball climbed to 98 mph. The changeup-slider combo suddenly generated whiffs. He went 4-1, 2.98 ERA over 13 games. Boston scouts couldn't look away.
High-A ball followed four starts, another 2.98 ERA. Then came the call-up: AA Portland to AAA Worcester, starter to reliever. Finally, the dream.
That Yankee Stadium night, Penrod fanned MLB's best. Seven big league games delivered two holds, 2.25 ERA.
2025 tested him again. Elbow sprain. 60-day IL. DFA. Dodgers claimed him, but AAA Oklahoma City proved unforgiving.
Now, January 19, 2026. Paul Toboni the same executive who built Boston's development machine—brought Penrod to the Washington Nationals on a minor league deal with Spring Training invite.
Spring Training tells the tale: Two perfect innings. Zero hits. Zero walks. Two strikeouts.
From Tommy John to Yankee Stadium to West Palm Beach, Zach Penrod keeps rewriting his story with the Nationals. Rochester awaits. Whether he carves out an Opening Day role or mentors Nats young arms, this one's just getting started.