Zach Duke is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on April 19, 1983, in Clifton, Texas, and attended Midway High School in Waco, Texas. Duke was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the 2001 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 2005.
Duke quickly established himself as a reliable starter for the Pirates, earning a spot in the team's rotation in his rookie season. He finished the year with an 8-2 record and a 1.81 ERA, earning him a spot on the National League All-Star team. Duke continued to pitch well for the Pirates over the next few seasons, but the team struggled to compete in the tough NL Central division.
In 2010, Duke was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He was released by the team in 2011 and signed with the Washington Nationals, where he pitched out of the bullpen for the first time in his career. Duke pitched well in relief for the Nationals, posting a 1.32 ERA in 30 appearances.
After a brief stint with the Cincinnati Reds in 2013, Duke signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014. He had a strong season for the Brewers, posting a 2.45 ERA in 74 appearances out of the bullpen. Duke's success in Milwaukee earned him a two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox, where he continued to pitch well as a left-handed specialist.
Duke bounced around the league in his final few seasons, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds again. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency during this time, but was still able to contribute as a left-handed reliever.
Overall, Duke had a solid career as a pitcher in the major leagues. He finished with a career record of 71-91 and a 4.15 ERA in 594 appearances. Duke was known for his ability to induce ground balls and limit walks, and was particularly effective against left-handed hitters. He retired from baseball in 2020 and currently works as a special assistant to the general manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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