Zach Duke

Zach Duke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Directly out of Midway High School in Waco, Texas, Duke was drafted by the Pirates in the 2001 MLB Draft.

Duke began his journey through the minor leagues. He was an outstanding pitcher in the minors, leading all other pitchers in the minors and in 2004 he was named Pittsburgh's Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year. Along with the Pittsburgh honor, Duke earned Carolina League Pitcher-of-the-Year. Baseball America recognized Duke for his breaking pitch.

Duke's major league debut on July 2, 2005 set a record for the Pirates with nine strikeouts and a no decision which was the most for a debut pitcher set by Tim Wakefield back in 1992. In 2006, Duke became the first rookie in Pirates history to win his first six decisions as a starter.

Duke throws a curveball that gives left handed hitters trouble, making it hard for them to connect with the ball. His Fastballs average a speed of 93 mph.

Duke married wife Kristen Gross in November 2007. Matt Capps held the honors of best man.

1. R: Pirates
2. A: Hickory Crawdads
3. A: State College Spikes
4. A: Lynchburg Hillcats
5. AA: Altoona Curve
6. AAA: Indianapolis Indians

1. Pittsburgh Pirates

• Mahalo's Guide to the Pittsburgh Pirates
• Baseball-Reference.com: Career Stats
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Weight: 220 Lbs.
  • Rookie Year: 2005

• 1983: Born April 19, in Clifton, Texas

• 2002: R-Pirates

• 2003: A-Hickory Crawdads of the South Atlantic League

• 2004: AA- Altoona Curve affiliate of the Pirates *2004: A-Lynchburg

• 2005: AAA-Indianapolis Indians

• 2005: Major League debut July 2nd for the Pittsburgh Pirates

• 2006: National League rookie pitcher of the month

• 2007: R-Pirates

• 2007: A-State College Spikes of the New York-Penn League

• 2007: AAA-Indianapolis Indians

• 2008: Re-signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates to a one-year contract

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