Charlie Zink
Encyclopedia
Charles Tadao Zink is an American baseball
player who is currently with the independent Lancaster Barnstormers
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Red Sox
in 2002 upon recommendation of former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant
, who coached Zink at Savannah College of Art and Design
. Since joining the organization, current Red Sox starting pitcher and fellow knuckleball
er Tim Wakefield
has also spent time with Zink, primarily during their spring break and the off-season.
Zink was the 2003 Sarasota Pitcher of the Year with a 3.90 ERA over 136 innings, the most he has thrown in a season at any level of play to date. In 2005, he went a combined 10-6 with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
and Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
. Zink spent most of the 2006 season with Pawtucket, pitching 23 of 25 games there, posting a 9–4 record and a 4.03 ERA.
Zink split time between Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2007. He opened the season with the PawSox, but was sent down to Portland on May 21. After posting a 9-3 record and a 3.98 ERA in Double-A, Zink was transferred back to Triple-A Pawtucket on August 3. Zink was used solely as a starter in 2007, whereas in previous seasons he was occasionally used out of the bullpen. Zink showed signs of brilliance during his time with Portland during May and June. At one point, he had compiled 8 starts of at least 5 innings pitched and only once allowed more than 3 earned runs during that stretch. A strained leg muscle caused him to miss a start, but in his first start after returning from the disabled list
he surrendered a career high 12 earned runs in 4 innings. Even with the poor outing, Zink kept his 2007 Double-A ERA below 4.00 for the first time in his AA career (when making at least 7 starts).
On August 12, 2008, Zink made his major league debut against the Texas Rangers
, allowing 11 hits and 8 earned runs over 4⅓ innings pitched. He got a no decision, however, as the Red Sox ultimately won the game 19-17.
To make room for the newly-signed Rocco Baldelli
, Zink was designated for assignment
on January 8, 2009.
Zink signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
on January 14, 2010, but was released after spring training. On April 27, 2010, he was signed by the Minnesota Twins to a minor league contract and assigned to their AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings
.
On February 18, 2011, he signed a contract with the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player who is currently with the independent Lancaster Barnstormers
Lancaster Barnstormers
The Lancaster Barnstormers is an American professional baseball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in 2002 upon recommendation of former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant
Luis Tiant
Luis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...
, who coached Zink at Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, is a private, accredited and degree-granting university with locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France.-History:...
. Since joining the organization, current Red Sox starting pitcher and fellow knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
er Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
has also spent time with Zink, primarily during their spring break and the off-season.
Zink was the 2003 Sarasota Pitcher of the Year with a 3.90 ERA over 136 innings, the most he has thrown in a season at any level of play to date. In 2005, he went a combined 10-6 with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
and Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
. Zink spent most of the 2006 season with Pawtucket, pitching 23 of 25 games there, posting a 9–4 record and a 4.03 ERA.
Zink split time between Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2007. He opened the season with the PawSox, but was sent down to Portland on May 21. After posting a 9-3 record and a 3.98 ERA in Double-A, Zink was transferred back to Triple-A Pawtucket on August 3. Zink was used solely as a starter in 2007, whereas in previous seasons he was occasionally used out of the bullpen. Zink showed signs of brilliance during his time with Portland during May and June. At one point, he had compiled 8 starts of at least 5 innings pitched and only once allowed more than 3 earned runs during that stretch. A strained leg muscle caused him to miss a start, but in his first start after returning from the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
he surrendered a career high 12 earned runs in 4 innings. Even with the poor outing, Zink kept his 2007 Double-A ERA below 4.00 for the first time in his AA career (when making at least 7 starts).
On August 12, 2008, Zink made his major league debut against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, allowing 11 hits and 8 earned runs over 4⅓ innings pitched. He got a no decision, however, as the Red Sox ultimately won the game 19-17.
To make room for the newly-signed Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Dan Baldelli is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. Because of his excellent size and speed, and in reference to his hometown, he was nicknamed, "The Woonsocket Rocket," early in his professional career...
, Zink was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on January 8, 2009.
Zink signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on January 14, 2010, but was released after spring training. On April 27, 2010, he was signed by the Minnesota Twins to a minor league contract and assigned to their AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
.
On February 18, 2011, he signed a contract with the Lancaster Barnstormers.
External links
- Charlie Zink's Biography
- Baseball Reference minor league statistics
- Charlie Zink on Rotowire