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Josh Zeid

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Josh Zeid
Zeid in 2016
Pitcher
Born:(1987-03-24)March 24, 1987(age 37)
New Haven, Connecticut,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
July 30, 2013, for the Houston Astros
Last MLB appearance
July 24, 2014, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average5.21
Strikeouts42
Teams
Medals
Men'sbaseball
RepresentingUnited States
World Youth Baseball Championship
Gold medal – first place 2003 Kaohsiung Team

Joshua Alexander Zeid(/zaɪd/ZYDE;Hebrew:ג'וש זייד;born March 24, 1987) is anAmerican-Israeliformerprofessional baseballpitcherand current coach. He plays forTeam Israel.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theHouston Astros.

Zeid played for thegold-medal-winning Team USA Youth National Team in 2003. In his senior year in high school he was named Gatorade Connecticut High School Player of the Year, andBaseball Americaranked him the nation's 27th-best prospect. He was drafted in the 10th round of the2009 Major League Baseball Draft,and in 2010 he was named aSouth Atlantic Leaguemidseason All-Star, and won theMiLB Best Reliever (Class A–Full Season) Award.He debuted in the major leagues with the Houston Astros in 2013.

He pitched forTeam Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic,and was named to the2017 All-World Baseball Classic team.Hisfastballreached 97mph.

After retiring from major league baseball, Zeid joined theChicago Cubsfront office as a pitching analyst. In November 2019, he obtainedIsraeli citizenshipso that he could play for Team Israel inbaseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics.He pitched for Team Israel at the2020 Summer Olympicsin Tokyo in the summer of 2021.

Personal[edit]

Zeid was born to Ira (a dentist) and Karen Zeid (who works at asenior center) inNew Haven, Connecticut,grew up inWoodbridge, Connecticut,and is Jewish.[1][2][3][4][5]As a child he had abar mitzvah,went toHebrew schoolthree days a week, and attendedCongregation B'nai Jacob.[1][6]He always wears aStar of Davidaround his neck and achai,and as to being Jewish, he said: “If you become a successful athlete, you should let people know where you’re from.”[7][2]

In January 2013 he married the former Stephanie Tiedemann, a doctor ofneuropsychologyatThe University of Texas Health Science Centerin Houston, and a former Vanderbilt (2007) andFlorida Institute of Technology(Masters/Doctor of Psychology) student.[8][9][10]They have two sons, Parker and Barrett.[11][12]

High school and college[edit]

Zeid was a pitcher for the Hornets atHamden Hall Country Day School(2005), where he had 400 strikeouts, a school record.[7][10]In addition to pitching, he played first base, shortstop, and center field.[13]He played for the gold-medal-winning Team USA Youth National Team in 2003, and was anAFLACAll American in 2004.[5]

In his junior and senior years he led his high school team to two straight New England Championships, and a record of 54–15.[13][7]In his junior year in 2004, he struck out 68 batters in 42 innings and had a 1.66 ERA, while batting.412.[14]In his senior year, he struck out 130 batters in 65.0 innings and batted.450, and was team captain.[13][5][7]That year, he was the Gatorade Connecticut High School Player of the Year,Baseball Americaranked him the country's 27th-best prospect, and he was aLouisville Slugger,National High School Baseball Coaches Association,Collegiate Baseball,andStreet & SmithAll American.[13][5][7]He played for the Long Island Titans in the summer of his senior year. They finished 43–5.[5]He earned two varsity letters in basketball.[5]

He played college baseball, pitching for theVanderbiltCommodores baseball teamfor two years, and then forTulane University,where he pitched for theGreen Wave baseball teamand was an English major.[7][15]He also pitched for theTorrington Twistersof theNew England Collegiate Baseball Leaguein 2006, and for theHarwich Marinersof theCape Cod Collegiate Baseball Leaguein 2007.[13][5][16]In the 2016-17 off-season, he took a class at Tulane, as he had just a few credits left in order to obtain his degree.[17]He graduated in January 2019.[18]

Playing career[edit]

Philadelphia Phillies organization[edit]

He was drafted out of Tulane by thePhiladelphia Philliesin the 10th round of the2009 Major League Baseball Draftas a starter.[7]Zeid received a $10,000signing bonus.[19][20]He pitched as a starter for the Class AWilliamsport Crosscutters,and had an 8–5 record with a 2.94 ERA, holding batters to a.217 average.[15]

In 2010, he pitched for theLakewood BlueClawsand split his season between starting and relieving, finishing the season 8–4 with 8 saves, a 2.93 ERA, 111 strikeouts in 107.3 innings, and 27 walks. He was named aSouth Atlantic Leaguemidseason All-Star, won theMiLB Best Reliever (Class A–Full Season) award,andBaseball Americanamed him the # 23 prospect in the Phillies organization and said he had the bestsliderof any pitcher in their minor league system.[15][21][22][23]In the off-season he played for theMesa Solar Soxof theArizona Fall Leaguewhere he was named an AFL Rising Star, blogging about his experience for MLB.[15][21]

He played for Double-A Reading in 2011, starting the season in its starting rotation before moving to the bullpen.

Houston Astros[edit]

Josh Zeid in 2014

Zeid was traded on July 29, 2011, along withJonathan Singleton,Jarred Cosart,andDomingo Santanato theHouston Astrosfor All Star right fielderHunter Pence.[7][15][24][25]

After the season, Zeid pitched for theSalt River Raftersin the Arizona Fall League, where he was named an AFL Rising Star.[15]

Going into 2012, he was ranked #19 in the Astros system by baseball writer Jonathan Mayo, for his "plusfastball"and" nastyslider."[26]In 2012, Zeid pitched as a reliever for an entire season for the first time, pitching in 47 games for the Double-ACorpus Christi Hooks,and striking out 66 batters in 56.1 innings.[15]

In March 2013, Zeid was looking to add a third pitch to his fastball and slider.[4]In 2013, he threw a 95–97mphfastball, and a hard slider.[9]Only the top 15 percent of major league pitchers throw a 95 mph fastball.[2]

He pitched as thecloserfor the AAAOklahoma City RedHawksin 2013, with a 4–1 record, 13 saves in 15 save opportunities (tied for the club lead), and 3.50 ERA over 43 games, as Zeid struck out 53 batters in 43.2 innings.[9][27][28]

Zeid was called up to the majors for the first time on July 29, 2013.[29][30]In 25 relief appearances he stranded 15 of 17inherited runners,and held lefties to a.178 batting average.[28]He ended 2013 with a 0–1 record and a 3.90 ERA in27+2⁄3innings pitched.

He made 23 appearances in 2014, recording a 6.97 ERA before suffering fromsesamoiditisand being shut down in July for foot surgery known as sesamoidectomy. Zeid underwent the procedure to both feet, with the second foot surgery, to his left foot, taking place in October 2014.[31][32][33][34]He was expected to recover three months following his surgery.[33]

Pitching for Houston, according toFangraphs,Zeid threw about 60% fastballs with an average velocity of 94.3 mph, in addition to sliders and an occasionalchangeup.[35]

In 2014, he again pitched for Oklahoma City, going 2-2 with 7 saves and a 2.45 ERA in 17 relief appearances, as in 18.1 innings Zeid gave up 2 walks and had 21 strikeouts.[36]

Detroit Tigers organization[edit]

Zeid was claimed offwaiversby theDetroit Tigerson November 20, 2014.[37]Zeid had pitched for Tiger managerBrad Ausmuson Team Israel in the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers.[38]On March 24, 2015, he was optioned to theToledo Mud Hensof the AAAInternational League,and pitching for the Mud Hens he went 4-3 with 2 saves and a 4.46 ERA in 42 games, 4 of which were starts.[39][36]

New Britain Bees[edit]

On April 7, 2016, Zeid signed with theNew Britain Beesof theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.He began the 2016 season with the team, throwing a 97 mph fastball and striking out 43 batters in 37.1 innings.[17]

New York Mets organization[edit]

On June 10, 2016, Zeid signed a minor league deal with theNew York Mets.He made his debut for their Double-A team theBinghamton Mets.Zeid pitched6+2⁄3innings while striking out six batters. He spent the remainder of the season pitching for the Binghamton Mets and the AAALas Vegas 51s,going an aggregate 7-6 with a 4.61 ERA.[17]

St. Louis Cardinals organization[edit]

Zeid signed a minor league contract with theSt. Louis Cardinalson March 21, 2017.[40]He pitched for theMemphis Redbirdsof the AAAPacific Coast League,going 9-4 (his 9 wins tied for 6th-most in the league) and striking out 95 batters in 102 innings as he pitched in 33 games, starting 12 of them.[41][36][42]He elected free agency on November 6.[43]

Coaching career[edit]

Zeid announced his retirement from professional baseball on April 5, 2018, at 31 years of age, saying "You have to throw in the mid-to-high-90s, consistently, or there’s someone 10 years younger than you who will."[44]

In January 2019 through January 2023, Zeid was a rehab pitching coordinator and player development pitching analyst for theChicago Cubs.[45][46]He also ran the Pitch Lab in Arizona for the team.[46][47]

Zeid joined theTexas Rangersorganization as the pitching coach of theFrisco RoughRidersof theDouble-ATexas Leagueprior to the 2023 season.[48]

As of July 2023, Zeid was entering his first season (2023-24) as the Pitching Coach and Pitching Analyst atSan Jacinto Collegein Houston, Texas.[49]

International career; Team Israel[edit]

Zeid played for theIsraeli national baseball teamin the2013 World Baseball Classic qualifierin September 2012, under managerBrad Ausmus.[50][51][52]He pitched in all 3 games, earning a save in Israel’s victory over Spain.[53]His mother said: "As we watched the games... we loved... thenachasandkvellingthat goes deep into our hearts. "[53]During the opening game, against South Africa, Zeid pitched 1.2 innings, giving up a walk on three strike outs, and was credited with a hold.[54]During the second game, against Spain, Zeid gave up a hit and an earned run while recording a save.[55]During the third and final game, the qualifying game, once again against Spain, he gave up a hit and two earned runs, while walking one and striking out two, in a game that Zeid was credited with the loss.[56]

Zeid pitched forIsrael at the 2017 World Baseball Classicqualifier, and had a 1.35 ERA in6+2⁄3innings.[57][6]In the first game of the series Zeid threw 48 pitches over 3.2 innings, giving up 2 hits and an earned run while striking out 2.[58]UnderWorld Baseball Classicrules any pitcher who throws over 50 pitches cannot pitch again for four days, therefore by pulling Zeid before reaching this limit, it enabled Israel to utilize Zeid again in the tournament. During the third and final game of the tournament, Zeid was the winning pitcher, after throwing 37 pitches over 3 innings of no hit ball, while giving up a walk and recording 3 strikeouts.[59]

Zeid again pitched forIsrael, at the 2017 World Baseball Classicmain tournament, in March 2017.[60]In the first game of round one, he was the winning pitcher as # 41-ranked Israel defeated # 3-ranked South Korea, with Zeid striking out four batters in three innings.[61]Zeid said the win was the pinnacle of his career: "This has to be it. This has to be the top, top win as a team, I think in my career. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a couple of championships in the lower levels in the minor leagues and in high school, but nothing compares to this stage."[62]Overall, he was 1-0 with 2 saves and pitched 10 shutout innings giving up 5 hits, including 4 scoreless innings as a starting pitcher against world # 1 Team Japan, as his fastball hit 96 mph.[63][64][20]

Following the conclusion of the tournament, pitcher Josh Zeid was named to the2017 All-World Baseball Classic team.[65]In November 2019, he obtainedIsraeli citizenshipso that he could play for Team Israel inbaseball at the 2020 Summer Olympicsin Tokyo.[66]

His fastball in 2021 was approximately 92 mph.[67]

He pitched for Team Israel at the2020 Summer Olympicsin Tokyo in the summer of 2021.[68]He was 0-0 with an ERA of 3.12, as in three games (starts against Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and a relief appearance against South Korea) he pitched 8.2 innings and held batters to a.214 batting average.[68]

Zeid pitched for Team Israel in the2023 European Baseball Championshipin September 2023 in theCzech Republic.[69]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abWohlgelernter, Elli (January 10, 2020)."Can the Israeli baseball team win an Olympic medal?".The Jerusalem Post.RetrievedJanuary 22,2020.
  2. ^abcAdam Chandler (October 23, 2013)."How a Jewish Kid Makes It to the Major Leagues".Tablet Magazine.RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
  3. ^Ron Kaplan (July 31, 2013)."JML update » Kaplan's Korner on Jews and Sports".New Jersey Jewish News.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  4. ^abDavid Borges (March 22, 2013)."Former Hamden Hall star Josh Zeid looking to make most of first big-league camp with Houston Astros".Connecticut Post-Chronicle.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  5. ^abcdefg"Josh Zeid Bio".Vucommodores.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  6. ^abMax Wildstein (December 30, 2016)."Exclusive: Josh Zeid Talks About Pitching For Team Israel," Hardball Scoop,Scout,December 30, 2016
  7. ^abcdefghKen Mandel (October 28, 2011)."Making it to the majors".The Jewish Standard.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  8. ^Brian McTaggart (July 30, 2013)."Zeid: 'My dream is about to come true,'".mlblogs.RetrievedSeptember 30,2013.
  9. ^abcWilliams, Darrell (July 9, 2013)."Former Tulane pitcher Zeid flourishing as OKC's closer".The Advocate.RetrievedAugust 3,2013.
  10. ^ab"Stephanie and Josh from Houston, Texas".Tiedemannandzeid.ourwedding. January 26, 2013.RetrievedAugust 3,2013.
  11. ^David Borges (May 28, 2016)."New Haven native Josh Zeid hoping to make a Bee-line back to big leagues,"New Haven Register.
  12. ^@Josh_Zeid14 (October 19, 2018).""Hello world" 😍 -Barrett Lawrence "(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  13. ^abcde"Josh Zeid Bio".Tulanegreenwave.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  14. ^Roberto Gonzalez (June 6, 2004)."Belichick Helps Teach Young Players".Hartford Courant.RetrievedSeptember 28,2013.
  15. ^abcdefg"Josh Zeid Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio".mlb.May 24, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 28,2013.
  16. ^"2007 Harwich Mariners".thebaseballcube.RetrievedSeptember 23,2021.
  17. ^abcChris Knoblock (2017)."Catching up with Josh Zeid",New Britain Bees.
  18. ^"January 29, 2019 post,"Twitter.
  19. ^"Josh Zeid".Baseball Prospectus.RetrievedOctober 5,2013.
  20. ^ab"All-World Baseball Classic pitcher Josh Zeid of Team Israel discusses his success and how he wants to bring that to the St. Louis Cardinals,"St. Louis - Scout.
  21. ^ab"Zeid's zenith: retires Bryce Harper, wins 'Best Reliever' award".Jewish Baseball News.October 25, 2010.RetrievedAugust 3,2013.
  22. ^Jackson, Josh (October 17, 2010)."Vote now for MiLB's Best Relievers".Milb.RetrievedAugust 3,2013.
  23. ^Corne Hogeveen (June 8, 2016)."Mets Sign Pitcher Josh Zeid,"MetsMinors.net.
  24. ^"Phillies acquire Hunter Pence".ESPN. July 31, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 11,2013.
  25. ^Mayo, Jonathan (July 30, 2011)."Astros land two top prospects, intriguing arm".mlb.Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 11,2013.
  26. ^"An Interview with Josh Zeid".Whattheheckbobby. March 23, 2012.RetrievedOctober 5,2013.
  27. ^"Josh Zeid Minor League Statistics & History".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  28. ^ab"Josh Zeid Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio".Houston Astros.RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
  29. ^"Astros option Ambriz, call up Lo, Zeid".Houston Astros Media Office.July 29, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon March 8, 2014.RetrievedJuly 29,2013.
  30. ^Bo Wulf (March 25, 2019)."The baseball odyssey of Josh Zeid, who struck out David Ortiz and me".The Athletic.RetrievedNovember 28,2019.
  31. ^"Josh Zeid Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio".Detroit Tigers.
  32. ^"Astros P Zeid needs season-ending foot surgery".ESPN. Associated Press. July 30, 2014.RetrievedJuly 31,2014.
  33. ^abJose de Jesus Ortiz (July 30, 2014)."Astros reliever Josh Zeid to have foot surgery, miss rest of season".Ultimate Astros.RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
  34. ^Evan Drellich (October 3, 2014)."Carlos Correa switches agents; surgery for Josh Zeid".Ultimate Astros.RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
  35. ^Chris Iott (November 20, 2014)."Detroit Tigers claim RHP Josh Zeid off waivers, designate Ezequiel Carrera for assignment".MLive.
  36. ^abc"Josh Zeid Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History,"Baseball-Reference.
  37. ^Beck, Jason (November 20, 2014)."Tigers claim Zeid from Astros, designate Carrera".MLB.Archived fromthe originalon November 23, 2014.RetrievedNovember 20,2014.
  38. ^Drellich, Evan (November 20, 2014)."Astros protect Velasquez, Torreyes, Feliz from Rule 5 draft".Houston Chronicle.(subscription required)
  39. ^"Josh Zeid Stats, Fantasy & News",mlb.
  40. ^"Cardinals' Josh Zeid: Agrees to minors deal with Cardinals",CBS Sports, March 21, 2017.
  41. ^Vincent Salzo."Former Hamden Hall Standout Closes Out Minor League Regular Season"Hamden, CT Patch.
  42. ^"2017 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - The Baseball Cube".thebaseballcube.
  43. ^"Josh Zeid Stats, Fantasy & News".MiLB.
  44. ^David Borges."New Haven's Josh Zeid retires from playing professional baseball".New Haven Register.RetrievedApril 6,2018.
  45. ^"Cubs Hire Former Pitcher Josh Zeid as Pitching Analyst in Player Development".February 9, 2019.
  46. ^abPatrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (September 12, 2019)."More changes coming after the Cubs move Jason McLeod into a new VP role".The Athletic.RetrievedNovember 28,2019.
  47. ^Evan Altman (September 3, 2019)."Between Wieck and Wick, Cubs Burning Curveball Candle at Both Ends,"Cubs Insider.
  48. ^Bigley, Zach (January 18, 2023)."Rangers announce 2023 RoughRiders Field Staff".MiLB.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
  49. ^https://twitter /Josh_Zeid14
  50. ^"Josh Zeid".Jewish Baseball News.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  51. ^Fine, Jeremy (July 31, 2013)."Welcome to the Show Josh Zeid".The Great Rabbino.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  52. ^Adam Berry (September 19, 2012)."World Baseball Classic: Israel victorious in Classic debut over South Africa".worldbaseballclassic.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  53. ^abBlas, Howard (October 10, 2012)."Field of Dreams; Two CT players helped Team Israel shine on the baseball diamond".Jewish Ledger.RetrievedAugust 3,2013.
  54. ^"Israel 7, South Africa 3",mlb.
  55. ^"Israel 4, Spain 2",mlb.
  56. ^"Spain 9, Israel 7",mlb.
  57. ^Vince Lara-Cinisomo (September 22, 2016)."Rosters for WBC Qualifier in Brooklyn; Israel, Pakistan, Great Britain, Brazil,"Baseball America
  58. ^"Great Britain 2, Israel 5 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday".MLB.
  59. ^"Great Britain 1, Israel 9 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday".MLB.
  60. ^David Adler (February 8, 2017)."Israel brings MLB experience to 1st WBC main draw; Vets Davis, Feldman among team members with Major League credentials,"ArchivedAugust 29, 2017, at theWayback Machinemlb.
  61. ^Sung Min Kim (March 6, 2017)."Israel Manages To Upset Korea In First World Baseball Classic Game; Israel shocks baseball world and defeats Korea in the first game of the World Baseball Classic,"Scout.
  62. ^Allon Sinai (March 7, 2017)."Israel off to dream start with WBC triumph,"The Jerusalem Post.
  63. ^Vincent Salzo (March 15, 2017)."Ex-Hamden Pitcher Stars in World Baseball Classic,"Hamden, CT Patch.
  64. ^"Stats",World Baseball Classic.
  65. ^Dayn Perry (March 23, 2017)."World Baseball Classic: Previous champs, results, medal count, MVPs, All-WBC teams",CBS Sports.
  66. ^"U.S. Baseball pros arrive to claim Israeli citizenship, qualify for Olympics".Haaretz.November 22, 2019.RetrievedNovember 28,2019.
  67. ^Mavredakis, Mike (July 15, 2021)."New Haven's Josh Zeid works out the kinks with Team Israel ahead of Tokyo Olympics".courant.
  68. ^ab"Israel".World Baseball Softball Confederation.
  69. ^"2023 European Baseball Championship".WBSC Europe.

External links[edit]

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