Washington Nationals 22nd ranked prospect, Zach Brzykcy, is the latest prospect to make his Major League debut in the 2024 season. The undrafted pitcher from Virginia Tech has earned his way to the Majors. While a shaky debut will sour his overall statistics, the 25-year-old has impressed at every level in the minor leagues. The long-term hope is that the Nats could have a future late-inning reliever on their hands.
Brzykcy signed with the Nats after the 2020 MLB Draft concluded but did not debut until the 2021 season. Zach spent the entire season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, pitching to a 5.40 ERA across 62.2 innings. It wasn't the prettiest season for Brzykcy, as his WHIP was 1.28, on the higher side for relievers. He also gave up 55 hits in those 62.1 innings, which wasn't very good. In the 2022 season, Zach started raising his stock in the Nationals' minor leagues.
Zach Brzykcy retired the side on 10 pitches in the 9th last night.
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) July 1, 2022
He's pitched 9 scoreless outings since being promoted to Double-A, striking out 16 and walking 4 in 10.1 IP.
Between High-A and Double-A, Zach has a 1.13 ERA in 32.0 IP (55 K, 14 BB).#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/487wFm9emv
Used primarily in late-inning situations, Brzykcy appeared in 51 games with a 1.76 ERA and recorded 14 saves. Zach threw 61.1 innings and allowed just 33 hits with a 1.01 WHIP. The right-hander began the season in A+ and ended the season in AAA, with a very impressive jump. Brzykcy caught enough attention in the Nats front office to earn an invite to the 2023 Major League Spring Training.
Brzykcy entered big league camp with aspirations to impress a coaching staff enough to earn a roster spot. Instead, he was dealt with Tommy John Surgery. Zach experienced forearm tightness, a precursor to TJ, and was shut down amid Spring Training. After professional opinion, Brzykcy was recommended for surgery and would miss the entire 2023 season. It was painful news as Zach would likely have made his Major League debut that season.
Fast-forward a year of recovery and rehabilitation, and Brzykcy returned to game action. Unsurprisingly, Bryzkcy put together strong numbers in 30 appearances thus far this season. In 35.1 innings, he owns a 2.04 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 14 walks across four different levels.
Brzykcy was added to the Nationals roster as a September expansion player, as rosters increased from 25 to 27 players. Fellow prospect Darren Baker was also called up to the team. Brzykcy struggled in his debut, tagged for five earned runs and two walks, but it hasn't changed his mindset toward his everyday preparations. Listen to Zach talk about his first few days in the big leagues in the link below.
Zach Brzykcy had made just two appearances since getting called up this month.
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) September 6, 2024
Dan Kolko sits down with the right-handed pitcher to talk about his journey to the big leagues. pic.twitter.com/TYfObdZnIg
Brzykcy settled down in his second appearance, throwing a clean inning with one strikeout and a walk. He's run his fastball up to 97mph in his two appearances, which he relies on for a majority of his strikeouts. He also features a curveball and a changeup. The final month of the season is important for Zach to get a taste of pitching in the big leagues before stepping into a bigger role next year. Home-grown relievers have been few and far between in D.C., but with the development of Brzykcy and fellow hurler Jose A. Ferrer, the Nats could have two studs in the back end of their bullpen for years to come.