12/26/17

Which former Twins' closer was Zach Duke's best man, and 8 more random facts about the newest Twin.

The Twins announced that they have signed LHP Zach Duke to an one year contract.   Here are some random facts about the newest Twin:

  1. His full name is Zachary Thomas Duke, was born on April 19th, 1983 in Clinton,Tx. He is listed 6-2 and 210 lbs, and bats and throws left.  Was drafted in the 20th round (594th overall) of the 2001 draft by the Pitsburgh Pirates from  Midway High School in Waco, TX.  Currently lives in Gallatin, TN, with his wife since 2007 Kristin Gross.
  2. His best man was former Twins closer Matt Capps.
  3. Zach Duke was the Pirates top prospect in 2005, according to Baseball America, and top 34th prospect in baseball, a season where Joe Mauer was the top prospect, Delmon Young the 3rd best, Jason Kubel the 17th, Phillip Humber the 50th, Jesse Crain the 63rd and J.D Durbin the 70th, a spot ahead of Cole Hamels
  4. Zach Duke had Tommy John surgery and his left flexor muscle repaired the first week of October of 2016.  His recovery time (287 days) was the shortest among major league pitchers the last 10 years, and 9th shortest of all time. He was throwing off a mound after just 190 days.  Thus his 2017 numbers should be viewed under this light.
  5. Nine seasons before his Tommy John surgery in 2007, Duke was placed in the 60 day DL with tendonitis and UCL inflammation that was resolved with rest and rehab.  In 2010 he went to the 15 day DL with a flexor pronator (the muscle he repair during his recent surgery) strain.
  6. Zach Duke appeared in 226 games from 2014 to 2016.  This is Everyday Eddie territory.  Duke's new bullpen coach appeared in 231 games from 1996 to 1998
  7. He has pitched for the Pirates (6 seasons), Diamondbacks (1), Nationals (1.5), Reds (0.5), Brewers(1), White Sox (1.5), and Cardinals(1.5).  With the Pirates he exclusively wore uniform number 57; has also worn 19, 29, 30, 33, and 59, in the other stops of his career.  He also pitched for the Astros during the 2012 Spring Training, and was released before he signed with Washington.
  8. His largest contract was with the Chicago White Sox for 3 years and $15 million from 2015-2017.   He signed an one year "just over" $2 million contract with the Twins, with another ~$1.5 M in "attainable" incentives
  9. Duke hit his first MLB home run, a 3-run shot, on May 28, 2011, his first start with the Diamondbacks, off Bud Norris.

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