Rob Zastryzny Stats & Scouting Report

IP	7.2
ERA	1.17
WHIP	.65
BB/9	1.17
SO/9	5.87

Full name Robert John Zastryzny
Born 03/26/1992 in Edmonton, AB, Canada
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Missouri
Debut 08/19/2016
Drafted in the 2nd round (41st overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2013 (signed for $1,100,000).

View Draft Report

Though Zastryzny won just two of his first 11 starts this spring as Missouri got a rude welcome to the Southeastern Conference, scouts aren't holding that against him. A lefthander who can really pitch with his fastball, he should go in the first three rounds. Zastrzyny effortlessly adds and subtracts from his fastball, usually sitting around 90 mph but capable of dropping down to 86 or elevating four-seamers up in the zone at 95. The 6-foot-3, 193-pounder can locate his fastball to either side of the plate and gets good angle, which helps it play up further. His most reliable secondary pitch is his changeup, which shows flashes of being a plus offering. His breaking ball is less consistent, as he will switch between a slider and curveball. Zastryzny throws strikes but will need to refine his command in pro ball.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Cubs' second pick in the 2013 draft after Kris Bryant, the Canadian-born Zastryzny endured a difficult 2015 season when he pitched poorly at Double-A Tennessee (6.23 ERA) when healthy and missed two months with a broken left ankle. He didn't get an invitation to big league camp in 2016 but finished the year in Chicago, pitching a career-high 136 innings in the minors despite a bout of shoulder fatigue before making his major league debut in August. Zastryzny has shown solid feel for throwing strikes with three pitches since his days at Missouri, but the improvement of his fourth pitch, a cutter, made a big difference in 2016. He came up with it on his own, showed it to Cubs officials and got the green light. His bread-and-butter remains his solid-average fastball that sits 88-90 mph but bumps up to 94 at its best. His herky-jerky arm action and high glove hand give his delivery needed deception, because his below-average curveball and fringe-average changeup aren't swing-and-miss pitches on their own. A multi-inning relief option in September, Zastryzny has shown the Cubs he can fill a versatile bullpen role. That's his immediate path to major league innings, but as a lefty with four pitches, he's a potential back-end starting option.
Zastryzny was born in Edmonton, Alberta, but moved to Texas with his parents when he was 1 year old. Still, he was excited to be Trevor Gretzky's teammate in his pro debut in short-season Boise. Zastryzny jumped to high Class A for his first full season and struggled with the jump, with an 8.46 ERA at the end of April. He got better in at least one aspect every month, though, and was Daytona's Game One starter in the Florida State League playoffs, beating Dunedin. Zastryzny is neither a power pitcher nor a finesse lefty. He pitches off his 89-92 mph fastball that has heavy, late life and locates it up and down, in and out. He has to because he doesn't have a plus secondary pitch. He throws both a hard slider and loopier curveball, with the slider grading as fringe-average. Zastryzny nevertheless gets swings and misses with both the fastball and both breaking balls, for he hides the ball well in his cross-body delivery. His command is spottier than it needs to be at the major league level, and the Cubs believe improving his direction a bit will help him locate better, but they don't want to eliminate his deception, either. Zastryzny's improvement augurs well for his future as a potential back-end starter, with Double-A Tennessee his next stop.
Zastryzny could be the next Mizzou ace in the Max Scherzer/Aaron Crow/Kyle Gibson line to reach the majors. He enjoyed less success than his predecessors in college, going just 9-19, including 2-9 as a junior. Nevertheless, he was the first pitcher the Cubs drafted in 2013 and signed for $1.1 million as the 41st overall pick. Zastryzny had less velocity after signing than he showed as an amateur, but he was still able to pitch off his fastball anyway. It was effective in the 86-91 mph range because of his ability to locate it to all four quadrants of the plate and his willingness to use the pitch, as well as some deception. He was firmer in college, sitting at 91-92 mph and touching 94, and he gets swings and misses in the strike zone with his fastball, a must for a starting pitcher. He throws a curveball that has average potential and has some touch with his curve and slurvy slider. His above-average changeup is his best secondary offering. Zastryzny's delivery can get out of whack, causing him to lose the plane on his fastball and become homer-prone. He has the strength and fastball to be a mid-rotation power pitcher if it all comes together. Zastryzny will begin 2014 where he finished his pro debut, with low Class A Kane County.

Draft Prospects

Though Zastryzny won just two of his first 11 starts this spring as Missouri got a rude welcome to the Southeastern Conference, scouts aren't holding that against him. A lefthander who can really pitch with his fastball, he should go in the first three rounds. Zastrzyny effortlessly adds and subtracts from his fastball, usually sitting around 90 mph but capable of dropping down to 86 or elevating four-seamers up in the zone at 95. The 6-foot-3, 193-pounder can locate his fastball to either side of the plate and gets good angle, which helps it play up further. His most reliable secondary pitch is his changeup, which shows flashes of being a plus offering. His breaking ball is less consistent, as he will switch between a slider and curveball. Zastryzny throws strikes but will need to refine his command in pro ball.

Career Transactions

Milwaukee Brewers placed LHP Rob Zastryzny on the 60-day injured list. Left elbow tendinitis.
Milwaukee Brewers sent LHP Rob Zastryzny on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers sent LHP Rob Zastryzny on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers placed LHP Rob Zastryzny on the 15-day injured list retroactive to July 25, 2024. Left elbow tendinitis.
Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of LHP Rob Zastryzny from Nashville Sounds.
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Rob Zastryzny.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent LHP Rob Zastryzny outright to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent LHP Rob Zastryzny outright to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated LHP Rob Zastryzny for assignment.
Pittsburgh Pirates placed LHP Rob Zastryzny on the 15-day injured list. Left forearm inflammation.
Pittsburgh Pirates activated LHP Rob Zastryzny from the 15-day injured list.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent LHP Rob Zastryzny on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians.
sent LHP Rob Zastryzny on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent LHP Rob Zastryzny on a rehab assignment to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates placed LHP Rob Zastryzny on the 15-day injured list. Left elbow discomfort.
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of LHP Rob Zastryzny, and from Indianapolis Indians.
Canada activated LHP Rob Zastryzny.
LHP Rob Zastryzny assigned to Indianapolis Indians.
LHP Rob Zastryzny roster status changed by Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent LHP Rob Zastryzny to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.