Zack Godley

Godley attended Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School. In 2009, as a senior, he went 9-3 with a 2.24 ERA.[1] He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 50th round of the 2009 MLB draft but did not sign and instead enrolled at Spartanburg Methodist College where he played college baseball. After his freshman season, he transferred to the University of Tennessee.[2] In 2013, his senior year, he went 5-7 with a 3.49 ERA in 16 games (14 starts). After the season, he was then drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB draft and signed.[3]

Godley signed and made his professional debut that season with the AZL Cubs and was promoted to the Boise Hawks after one game. In 13 relief appearances for Boise he compiled a 2-0 record and 2.03 ERA. Godley spent 2014 with the Kane County Cougars and Daytona Cubs, pitching to a combined 4-3 record and 3.09 ERA in 55.1 relief innings pitched.

On December 9, 2014, Godley, along with Jeferson Mejia, was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Miguel Montero.[4] He began 2015 with Visalia Rawhide and was promoted to the Mobile BayBears in June.

Godley made his MLB debut on July 23, 2015, against the Milwaukee Brewers.[5] He threw six scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking none as he earned the win as Arizona defeated Milwaukee 8-3. He became the first pitcher since 1900 with 6+ scoreless innings, 0 walks and 7+ strikeouts in his MLB debut.[6] Godley was recalled and demoted multiple times during the 2015 season after his debut. In nine games (six starts) for Arizona he was 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA, and in 21 games (17 starts) between Visalia and Mobile, he was 10-4 with a 2.71 ERA.

Godley began 2016 with Mobile and was promoted to the Reno Aces in May. He was recalled and demoted twice before being called up for the remainder of the season in July. In 15 games (14 starts) between Mobile and Reno he pitched to a 4-6 record and 3.62 ERA, and in 27 games for Arizona, he compiled a 5-4 record and 6.39 ERA.[7]

In 2017, Godley began the season back with Reno. He was recalled in June and spent the rest of 2017 with Arizona. In 26 games (25 starts) for the Diamondbacks he was 8-9 with a 3.37 ERA.

He began the 2018 season with Arizona as a member of the starting rotation. He finished the season 15-11 in 33 games (32 starts), with a 4.74 ERA. He struck out 185 batters in ​178 ¹⁄₃ innings. He led the major leagues in wild pitches, with 17.[8] He also led all major league pitchers in curveball percentage (40.3%).[9]

On August 5, 2019, Godley was designated for assignment.[10]

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed Godley off waivers on August 7, 2019.[11] On September 3, Godley was designated for assignment. He elected free agency on September 8.

On December 20, 2019, the Detroit Tigers signed Godley to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.[12] Godley was released prior to the 2020 season in March. Godley re-signed with the Tigers on a minor league pact shortly after his release.