Mariners Top 20 Prospects: #3 RHP Tony Zych

Tony Zych could be the Seattle Mariners closer in the very near future.

The Seattle Mariners purchased Tony Zych from the Chicago Cubs last April for $1. Yes, you read that correctly. The third best prospect in the M’s system according to SoDo Mojo was acquired for a single dollar. It’s safe to say that Zych is already the best value pickup in Mariners’ history.

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The 25-year-old right-hander made his big league debut last season with the M’s. Zych dazzled in Seattle, registering a 2.45 ERA and a 2.04 FIP across 13 appearances. He struck out 24 and walked 3 through 18.1 innings pitched. Jerry Dipoto loves pitchers with high strikeout to walk ratios, and you won’t find many better than Zych’s 8.00 in 2015.

Zych spent the bulk of 2015 in the minor-leagues. He split the season between the Jackson Generals and Tacoma Rainiers. Zych was very effective for both clubs, going a combined 1-2 with a 2.98 ERA and 9 saves in 40 appearances. He averaged 10.2 strikeouts per 9 innings and issued 1.7 walks per 9 innings. He allowed just 2 home runs in 48.1 innings pitched, and his 6.11 strikeout to walk ratio was very impressive.

Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft by the Cubs, Zych made his professional debut with Chicago’s affiliate in the Arizona Rookie League. He was quickly promoted to the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League, but he only make four appearances the entire 2011 season. Zych posted a 2.25 ERA with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks in 4 innings pitched.

Zych began the 2012 season with the Daytona Cubs in the Florida State League. He did great job in Daytona, going 3-3 with a 3.19 ERA and 6 saves across 27 appearances. Zych racked up 26 strikeouts and issued 7 free passes in 36.2 innings pitched. The Cubs promoted Zych to the Tennessee Smokies midway through the 2012 season. He was not quite as successful in the Southern League, as he went 2-1 and registered a 4.38 ERA in 20 appearances. Zych struck out 28 and walked 12 across 24.2 innings of work.

The Cubs were very impressed with the University of Louisville alum, and they opted to send him to the Arizona Fall League following the 2012 season. Zych fared reasonably well against the best young talent in baseball, going 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 1 save through 13 appearances. However, he only struck out 4 batters in 14 innings.

Zych repeated with the Smokies in 2013 and 2014. Combined, he went 9-10 with a 4.09 ERA and 5 saves through 92 appearances. Zych tallied 75 strikeouts and walked 39 in 114.1 innings pitched. These numbers are pedestrian at best, and understandably, the Cubs were ready to move on from Zych in 2015.

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The Chicago, IL product employs a three-pitch arsenal, but he typically only uses his fastball and slider. Zych has a great heater, and he relies heavily on it. His fastball consistently hits 96 mph on the radar gun, and he threw it 53.1% of the time last season with the Mariners. Zych’s out pitch is his slider, and it’s a good one. He also mixes in a changeup, but he only used it 1.8% of the time in 2015.

Many M’s fans hit the panic button (myself included) when Carson Smith was shipped to the Boston Red Sox this offseason. However, Zych was electric last season, and he has a chance to post similar numbers to Smith in 2016. Both pitchers utilize high 90’s fastballs and great sliders. Baseball Reference is predicting Zych will go 2-2 with a 3.65 ERA across 37 innings this year. FanGraphs is expecting him to go 3-3 with a 3.41 ERA through 55 innings pitched.

Next: Reserves Lead M's past Padres in Peoria

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” That saying seems to fit the Seattle Mariners and Tony Zych perfectly. Fresh off his best season as a pro, Zych is currently in Peoria competing for a spot in the M’s opening day bullpen. It’s possible he begins the year in Tacoma, but there is little doubt he will spend the majority of the season in the Emerald City. Zych is a candidate to handle 9th inning duties for the M’s if Steve Cishek falters in 2016. Paying $1 for a potential closer seems like a bargain to me.