Zach Plesac

Zach Robert Plesac (born January 21, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Ball State University. The Cleveland Indians selected him in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut for them in 2019.

Amateur career
Plesac was born in Crown Point, Indiana, and attended Crown Point High School, where he earned many accolades. Plesac starred in football, basketball, and baseball in high school.

Plesac enrolled at Ball State University in 2014 and played college baseball for the Ball State Cardinals. In his freshman year, he had a 12–2 win–loss record with a 2.11 earned run average (ERA) and six saves in 25 games played, with six games started, to earn Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors. He was also named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Midwest Region Team, a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American, a Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman Pitcher of the Year and a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American. In 2015, he was 5–5 with a 3.27 ERA in 16 starts to earn All-MAC Second Team honors. He also played for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League that year, and was 0–2 with an 11.88 ERA.

Cleveland Indians / Guardians
The Cleveland Indians selected Plesac in the 12th round, with the 362nd overall pick, of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He signed on June 29, 2016, for a $100,000 signing bonus. He began his professional career in 2017 with the Low-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and after posting a 1.38 ERA in eight games (seven starts), was promoted to the Single-A Lake County Captains where he finished the season, posting a 1–1 record with a 3.60 ERA in six starts.

In 2018, Plesac played for both the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats and the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, pitching to a combined 11–6 record with a 3.79 ERA in 26 total starts between both teams. He returned to Akron to begin 2019, and was promoted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers in early May.

The Indians selected Plesac's contract from the Clippers on May 28, 2019. He made his MLB debut that day at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits in $5 1/3$ innings and receiving a no decision. On September 10, Plesac pitched a four-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels. It was both Plesac's first complete game and first shutout of his career. For the season, Plesac ended with a 8–6 record in 21 starts. He struck out 88 in $115 2/3$ innings.

In his first start of the 2020 season, Plesac had one of the best outings of his career against the White Sox, going eight innings, striking out 11, and allowing no earned runs. On August 9, Plesac was sent home by the Indians after violating team and Major League Baseball COVID-19 protocols after going out with friends in Chicago following a game against the White Sox. Plesac later issued a statement apologizing.

With the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Plesac appeared in eight games, compiling a 4–2 record with 2.28 ERA and 57 strikeouts in $55 1/3$ innings pitched. In 2021, Plesac had a 10–6 record, a 4.67 ERA, and 100 strikeouts. Plesac was the starting pitcher on the opposite end of three no-hitters, an MLB record; the Indians were the first team to be no-hit in three games in one season. In 2022, Plesac was 3–12 with a 4.31 ERA in $131 2/3$ innings, with a 1.322 WHIP.

On January 13, 2023, Plesac agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract with the Guardians, avoiding salary arbitration. After struggling to a 7.59 ERA across five starts to begin the year in 2023, Plesac was optioned to Columbus on May 4. On June 4, Plesac was designated for assignment by the Guardians. Upon clearing waivers, Plesac accepted an outright assignment to Columbus on June 11. Plesac elected free agency following the season on October 13.

Los Angeles Angels
On January 6, 2024, the Los Angeles Angels signed Plesac to a one-year contract worth $1 million. He was optioned to the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees to begin the 2024 season. On April 8, the Angels designated Plesac for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Salt Lake two days later. In 13 starts for Salt Lake, he compiled a 3–7 record and 5.42 ERA with 51 strikeouts across $74 2⁄3$ innings. On June 17, the Angels selected Plesac's contract, adding him to their active roster.

Personal life
Zach is the son of Ron and Jeannine Plesac, and he has two brothers. His uncle, Dan Plesac, played in the major leagues from 1986 to 2003. Another uncle, Joe Plesac, played in the minor leagues from 1982 to 1987. Zach is the cousin of shortstop Blaze Alexander, who debuted for the Diamondbacks in 2024.