Zack Showalter
P | Bats/Throws: R/R | 6' 2" 195LBS | Age: 20
Draft: 2022 | Rd: 11, #317, Baltimore Orioles | Wesley Chapel HS
MLB Pipeline Rank
CARDINALS: No. 17 |
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2024 1 2 2.62 24 0 8 34.1 59 1.25
Career Minors 1 4 2.47 34 8 8 65.2 101 1.28
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2024 24 1-2 2.62 34.1 59 1.25
Career Minors 34 1-4 2.47 65.2 101 1.28
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Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2023 3 Teams Minors 0 2 2.30 10 8 0 31.1 26 9 8 1 15 42 1.31
2023 FCL Orioles FCL ROK 0 0 0.90 3 3 0 10.0 7 1 1 0 4 16 1.10
2023 Delmarva Shorebirds CAR A 0 2 3.10 6 5 0 20.1 19 8 7 1 10 25 1.43
2023 Palm Beach Cardinals FSL A 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1.00
2023 2 Teams A 0 2 2.95 7 5 0 21.1 19 8 7 1 11 26 1.41
2024 Palm Beach Cardinals FSL A 1 2 2.62 24 0 8 34.1 25 15 10 0 18 59 1.25
FCL Orioles FCL ROK 0 0 0.90 3 3 0 10.0 7 1 1 0 4 16 1.10

Scouting Report

2024

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40 

Hailing from just north of Tampa, Showalter had a commitment to the University of South Florida and looked like he was heading to the Bulls out of high school until the Orioles selected him in the 11th round of the 2022 Draft. Baltimore signed the right-hander for $440,000 ($315,000 of which counted toward its signing pool) to enter pro ball. Showalter got his career off to a solid start with 41 strikeouts over 30 1/3 innings between the Florida Complex League and Single-A Delmarva when the O’s moved him to the Cardinals at the 2023 Trade Deadline in the four-player Jack Flaherty deal. He made one appearance for Single-A Palm Beach but was shut down afterward. He returned to the Florida State League as a reliever in 2024 and has dominated in the role with K-heavy appearances.

The 6-foot-2 right-hander has a fastball that can touch the mid-90s but is generally 91-93 mph. However, he hides the ball well -- essentially keeping it behind his back until rushing forward with arm speed -- and he dips so low at the time of release that the heater comes in almost flat with an incredible vertical approach angle. That can make for an explosive look, and it gives low-level batters fits, leading to a high usage rate around 80 percent. His mid-70s breaking ball shows sweep and depth that could help make it an above-average pitch with further development. Improving Showalter’s mid-80s changeup should also be a focus after lefties posted a .316/.438/.474 line against him last year. 

The effort in Showalter’s delivery has led to the occasional wildness, and before the Draft, some evaluators believed the righty was headed toward the bullpen eventually. That shift has come to pass, but it's clear early on that the fastball alone could really work in short spurts.


2023

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Coming out of Wesley Chapel (Fla.) HS just north of Tampa, Showalter looked like he was a decent bet to honor his commitment to the University of South Florida as his name kept dropping in the 2022 Draft. The Orioles swooped in during the 11th round -- when bonus slots were no longer an issue -- and signed him for $440,000 -- $315,000 of which counted toward their pool. The 19-year-old right-hander was off to a promising start in 2023, pitching his way out of the Florida Complex League (where he struck out 16 in 10 innings) and into Single-A ball when the Cardinals acquired him at the Trade Deadline for Jack Flaherty.

The 6-foot-2 right-hander hides the ball well in his delivery before firing in a fastball that touches the mid-90s. The ball rides well up in the zone and comes in almost flat, giving an almost explosive look, and those characteristics have helped drive his early success in the lower levels of the Minors. Showalter also shows the makings of an average slider that keeps hitters honest, and he’ll need to improve his changeup in order to perform better against lefties, who had a .933 OPS against him before the trade (compared to only .525 for righties).

Showalter’s control is an early issue, and leading up to the Draft, some scouts believed the effort in his delivery would eventually send him to the bullpen. That could still happen, but he should get a long look at starting in the St. Louis system.



Awards




Transactions

Team Date Transaction
09/24/2024 Palm Beach Cardinals activated RHP Zack Showalter from the 7-day injured list.
08/16/2024 Palm Beach Cardinals placed RHP Zack Showalter on the 7-day injured list.
08/13/2024 Palm Beach Cardinals activated RHP Zack Showalter from the 7-day injured list.
08/05/2024 Palm Beach Cardinals placed RHP Zack Showalter on the 7-day injured list.
03/07/2024 St. Louis Cardinals Prospects activated RHP Zack Showalter.
09/11/2023 Palm Beach Cardinals activated RHP Zack Showalter from the 7-day injured list.
09/11/2023 Palm Beach Cardinals activated RHP Zack Showalter from the 7-day injured list.
08/11/2023 Palm Beach Cardinals placed RHP Zack Showalter on the 7-day injured list.
08/03/2023 RHP Zack Showalter assigned to Palm Beach Cardinals from Peoria Chiefs.
08/01/2023 St. Louis Cardinals traded RHP Jack Flaherty to Baltimore Orioles for 2B César Prieto, LHP Drew Rom and RHP Zack Showalter.
08/01/2023 RHP Zack Showalter assigned to Peoria Chiefs.
08/01/2023 RHP Zack Showalter roster status changed by St. Louis Cardinals.
06/20/2023 RHP Zack Showalter assigned to Delmarva Shorebirds from FCL Orioles.
06/20/2023 Delmarva Shorebirds activated RHP Zack Showalter.
06/20/2023 Delmarva Shorebirds activated RHP Zack Showalter.
04/27/2023 Orioles Organization activated RHP Zack Showalter. Ext Spring Game.
12/01/2022 RHP Zack Showalter assigned to FCL Orioles.
12/01/2022 FCL Orioles activated RHP Zack Showalter.
07/30/2022 Baltimore Orioles signed RHP Zack Showalter.
09/29/2021 RHP Zack Showalter and assigned to West.
07/13/2021 PG National 1 - Black activated RHP Zach Showalter.
06/04/2021 High School Workout activated RHP Zack Showalter.