Zach Day

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #4 prospect in 2003
  Day spent his first full season in the Expos system after coming over from the Indians in a July 2001 trade for Milton Bradley. After starting the season with Triple-A Ottawa, he beat the Blue Jays to become the first pitcher in big league history to win his debut on his birthday. Day threw his fastball in the 87-90 mph range early last season, but in September he was working out of the Montreal bullpen and pumping 93-97 mph four-seamers with outstanding arm-side action. He also did an excellent job of changing planes by mixing in a heavy 88-92 mph sinker, a plus 79-83 mph curveball and an improving changeup. Day has a strong pitcher's body, and the Expos also praise his demeanor and intelligence. Occasionally, Day will fly open with his front shoulder in his delivery. When that happens, he loses command and leaves his pitches high in the strike zone. With his strong performance in Montreal, Day earned the right to compete for a spot in the rotation. He could become a No. 1 or 2 starter, though he also could be their closer of the future.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #8 prospect in 2002
  Originally drafted by the Yankees, Day is with his third organization in just over a year after coming over to the Expos in a swap with the Indians for outfield prospect Milton Bradley. The Yankees had sent him to Cleveland in 2000 in a package for David Justice. Day has made a complete recovery from 1999 rotator-cuff surgery. He has a three-pitch mix that consists of a 90-94 mph fastball with sink, an 81-83 mph curve with good bite and two-plane break, and a 78-84 mph change with nice arm speed and sink. He has a sound delivery with good rhythm, mixes his pitches well, works ahead in the count and tries to induce early contact. The ball comes out of his hand with ease. Day will drift through his balance point and throw across his body from time to time. He sometimes flies open in his delivery, making his control inconsistent. Day, who got his first taste of Triple-A after coming to the Expos, will return to Ottawa to polish his game before making a run at a spot in the rotation in 2003.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #6 prospect in 2001
  Day was one of three players obtained from the Yankees in last June's David Justice trade. The others were righthander Jake Westbrook and outfielder Ricky Ledee, since traded to the Rangers for David Segui. Day bounced back from rotator-cuff surgery in 1999 to rank among the minor league strikeout leaders in 2000. He and Westbrook gave the Indians a couple of much-needed upper-level pitching prospects. Day has a big, strong body and relies mainly on a fastball and changeup. His fastball shows good sink and has improved from 90 to 93 mph since his surgery. He has a good feel for pitching and an ability to make big pitches when needed. Day could use a more consistent curveball and more experience. His performance in 2000 erased concerns about his health. Day started eight games at Double-A Akron following the trade, and that's probably where he'll begin 2001. He easily could pitch his way to Triple-A or the majors by the end of the season.