Zack Weiss Stats & Scouting Report

IP	25
ERA	5.4
WHIP	1.88
BB/9	3.96
SO/9	11.52

Full name Zachary D. Weiss
Born 06/16/1992 in Irvine, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School UCLA
Debut 04/12/2018
Drafted in the 6th round (195th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013 (signed for $180,000).

View Draft Report

Weiss was BA's No. 32 prospect going into the 2010 draft out of high school in Southern California, and the Pirates made him a 10th-round pick. He decided to head to UCLA instead. He never emerged as a dependable weekend starter but found his niche as a reliever this spring, going 2-1, 2.60 through 35 innings. Weiss has a durable build (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and a four-pitch repertoire, with an 89-92 mph fastball, an average downer curve, a serviceable short slider and feel for a changeup. But his fastball is true and can get squared up, and he has a tendency to leave the ball up in the zone. Scouts also question his toughness when things get tough. His stuff should still get him drafted toward the back of the top 10 rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

If Weiss had been healthy in 2016 he would have pitched in the big league bullpen, and he could have provided a boost to a porous unit. Instead he never threw an official pitch in 2016, even though his elbow injury never required surgery. Every time Weiss tried to come back, his elbow wasn't ready. He spent the winter after the 2016 season in his normal training program and expects to be ready for spring training. The Reds gambled and left Weiss unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, but because of his health he was not selected. When healthy, he throws three above-average offerings--a 92-95 mph fastball he locates and a slider and curveball that both flash plus. He also has a below-average changeup and solid-average control. That four-pitch mix could work as a starter, but Weiss could excel in the bullpen. After a long layoff, he appears headed for Triple-A Louisville in 2017 to tune up.
College relievers, especially setup men, have a poor track record for pro success. Most big league relievers are minor league and college starters, after all. Weiss, who collected 25 saves at Double-A Pensacola in 2015 to lead the Southern League, has a chance to buck that trend because his stuff has gotten significantly better as a pro. Where he pitched at 88-92 mph in college, he now sits 92-96 with a plus fastball to go with a pair of plus breaking balls. Weiss throws both a low-80s slider and high-70s curve. They are similar enough that they often seem to blend together, but hhis slider is a solid chase pitch, while the more downward-breaking curve can lock hitters up early or late in the count. He relies more on one or the other depending on the outing or the inning. His below-average changeup shows some promise, but he doesn't use it all that often. Weiss always has demonstrated average control as a pro, but his command and his sequencing improved in 2015. A number of Reds' front office officials believe Weiss' varied repertoire would allow him to start, but he's close enough to the majors that he probably will stay in the bullpen. He is ready for Triple-A Louisville and could reach Cincinnati in 2016.

Draft Prospects

Weiss was BA's No. 32 prospect going into the 2010 draft out of high school in Southern California, and the Pirates made him a 10th-round pick. He decided to head to UCLA instead. He never emerged as a dependable weekend starter but found his niche as a reliever this spring, going 2-1, 2.60 through 35 innings. Weiss has a durable build (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and a four-pitch repertoire, with an 89-92 mph fastball, an average downer curve, a serviceable short slider and feel for a changeup. But his fastball is true and can get squared up, and he has a tendency to leave the ball up in the zone. Scouts also question his toughness when things get tough. His stuff should still get him drafted toward the back of the top 10 rounds.

Career Transactions

Minnesota Twins sent RHP Zack Weiss outright to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins activated RHP Zack Weiss from the 60-day injured list.
Minnesota Twins sent RHP Zack Weiss on a rehab assignment to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins sent RHP Zack Weiss on a rehab assignment to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
Minnesota Twins sent RHP Zack Weiss on a rehab assignment to FCL Twins.
Minnesota Twins sent RHP Zack Weiss on a rehab assignment to FCL Twins.
Minnesota Twins transferred RHP Zack Weiss from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right shoulder strain.
Minnesota Twins placed RHP Zack Weiss on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. Right shoulder strain.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Salt Lake Bees activated RHP Zack Weiss.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Zack Weiss to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Zack Weiss to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Zack Weiss to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Zack Weiss to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Zack Weiss to Salt Lake Bees.
Salt Lake Bees activated RHP Zack Weiss.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Zack Weiss to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Zack Weiss to Salt Lake Bees.
Salt Lake Bees activated RHP Zack Weiss.
Israel activated RHP Zack Weiss.