Zac Houston Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Zachary Matthew Houston
Born 11/30/1994 in Slidell, LA
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 260 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Mississippi State
Drafted in the 11th round (325th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2016 (signed for $190,000).

View Draft Report

A listed 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Houston must seem larger to scouts, who routinely describe him as taller. He pitched out of the Bulldogs bullpen last season but moved into the rotation successfully late in 2016, including a start in regional play that was his sixth of the season. Houston's fastball can sit 93-95 mph in short stints and remains in the low 90s when he starts. His changeup and breaking ball are nothing special but keep hitters from sitting solely on his heater.

Top Rankings

Houston was strictly a reliever at Mississippi State until his junior year, when he made six starts. That included the Bulldogs' final win of the season, when Houston spun six innings of two-hit shutout ball against Louisiana Tech in the NCAA Regionals. He reverted back to a relief role in pro ball and made 20 appearances between short-season Connecticut and low Class A West Michigan. Houston has a funky delivery that includes a hook in the back and a jump that reminds some evaluators of Rick Sutcliffe. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range and has touched 97 with heavy sink and armside bore. He throws a slider that features hard bite but breaks more horizontally than vertically. He rounds out his arsenal with a fringy curveball and a show-me changeup. The Tigers like the aggressiveness Houston brought with him from college. He is likely to begin the year at high Class A Lakeland and has a ceiling of a middle reliever.

A listed 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Houston must seem larger to scouts, who routinely describe him as taller. He pitched out of the Bulldogs bullpen last season but moved into the rotation successfully late in 2016, including a start in regional play that was his sixth of the season. Houston's fastball can sit 93-95 mph in short stints and remains in the low 90s when he starts. His changeup and breaking ball are nothing special but keep hitters from sitting solely on his heater.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs released RHP Zac Houston.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs placed RHP Zac Houston on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 15, 2024.
Lehigh Valley IronPigs placed RHP Zac Houston on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 7, 2024.
RHP Zac Houston assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Tampa Bay Rays traded RHP Zac Houston to Philadelphia Phillies for cash.
RHP Zac Houston assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from Somerset Patriots.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders activated RHP Zac Houston.
Somerset Patriots activated RHP Zac Houston.
RHP Zac Houston assigned to Somerset Patriots from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
RHP Zac Houston assigned to Somerset Patriots from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
RHP Zac Houston assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from Somerset Patriots.
Somerset Patriots activated RHP Zac Houston from the 7-day injured list.
Somerset Patriots placed RHP Zac Houston on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Zac Houston assigned to Somerset Patriots from FCL Yankees.
RHP Zac Houston assigned to FCL Yankees from Somerset Patriots.
RHP Zac Houston and assigned to New York Yankees.