Baseball is a sport that requires players to excel in various roles, from hitting and fielding to pitching and catching. Two-way players, who can perform well both on the mound and at the plate, are a rare breed in baseball.
One player who has received attention for his potential as a two-way player is Zack Greinke, a veteran pitcher in Major League Baseball.
In this blog post, we will explore the question of whether or not Zack Greinke is a two-way player, looking at his career as a pitcher and a position player, analyzing his statistics and evaluating his potential to excel in both roles. Let’s dive in!
What is a Two-way Player?
A two-way player in baseball is a player who can perform well both as a pitcher and as a position player, typically a hitter or fielder. In other words, a two-way player is someone who can contribute to the team’s success in multiple ways.
Two-way players are rare in baseball, as mastering both pitching and hitting requires a unique skill set and an immense amount of training and practice.
The term “two-way player” has been used in baseball for over a century, and the concept has been around since the early days of the sport.
Famous Two-way Players in Baseball History
There have been several famous two-way players in baseball history, including Babe Ruth, who was a dominant pitcher for the Boston Red Sox before becoming one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Bob Lemon, who was a pitcher and a four-time All-Star as a third baseman; and Brooks Kieschnick, who played as both a pitcher and outfielder during his career. However, the number of successful two-way players has been limited, as it is a difficult feat to achieve.
In recent years, Shohei Ohtani, a Japanese baseball player who plays for the Los Angeles Angels, has garnered attention as a potential two-way player. Ohtani has been successful as both a pitcher and a designated hitter, making him a unique player in the modern era of baseball.
Zack Greinke’s Career as a Pitcher
Zack Greinke was born on October 21, 1983, in Orlando, Florida. He attended Apopka High School, where he played both baseball and basketball.
In his senior year, he hit .495 with 10 home runs in 99 at-bats and was a first-team Baseball America All-American as a two-way player.
He was also a standout pitcher, with a 9-2 record and a 0.55 ERA in 63 innings pitched. Greinke’s impressive high school career caught the attention of several Major League Baseball teams, and he was drafted in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals.
Transition to the Major Leagues
Greinke made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2004, at the age of 20. He struggled in his first few seasons, posting a combined record of 9-17 with an ERA over 5.00.
However, he began to show signs of his potential in the 2007 season, when he went 7-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 24 starts.
The following year, he had a breakout season, going 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 202.1 innings pitched. Greinke continued to improve in the following years, earning his first All-Star selection in 2009 and winning the American League Cy Young Award that same year.
Awards and Achievements
Throughout his career, Zack Greinke has received numerous awards and accolades for his pitching.
In addition to his Cy Young Award in 2009, he has been selected to six All-Star teams, won four Gold Glove Awards, and earned the Silver Slugger Award in 2013 as the best hitting pitcher in the National League.
Greinke has also achieved several impressive statistical milestones, including surpassing 200 strikeouts in a season five times and leading the Major Leagues in ERA in 2009 and 2015. As of 2021, Greinke has a career record of 219-127 with a 3.43 ERA and over 2,700 strikeouts.
Zack Greinke’s Career as a Position Player
Zack Greinke is primarily known for his success as a pitcher, but he also has experience as a position player.
High School and College
In high school, Greinke was a standout hitter and fielder in addition to his pitching abilities. As a senior, he hit .495 with 10 home runs and was named a first-team Baseball America All-American as a two-way player.
In college, Greinke continued to show his hitting prowess, hitting .327 with 6 home runs in 63 at-bats in his freshman year at the University of Kansas.
Minor League Experience
After being drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2002, Greinke began his professional career as a pitcher. However, he also played in the outfield during his time in the minor leagues.
In 2003, he hit .297 with 4 home runs in 94 at-bats for the Class A Burlington Bees. In 2004, he hit .267 with 3 home runs in 45 at-bats for the Double-A Wichita Wranglers.
Opportunities in the Major Leagues
While Zack Greinke has occasionally hit in games throughout his Major League career, he has primarily been used as a pitcher. In his 18-year career, he has accumulated just 356 at-bats and has hit .225 with 9 home runs.
However, there have been moments where Greinke has shown his hitting ability, such as in 2013 when he hit 2 home runs in a game against the Washington Nationals.
Despite his success as a pitcher, there has been some speculation about whether Greinke could have had success as a position player if he had focused on hitting earlier in his career.
However, given his continued success on the mound, it seems unlikely that he will make a full-time transition to a position player in the future.
Zack Greinke as a Two-way Player
Zack Greinke has limited experience as a position player at both the high school and professional levels. In high school, he hit .495 with 10 home runs as a senior and was named a first-team Baseball America All-American as a two-way player.
In college, he hit .327 with 6 home runs in 63 at-bats in his freshman year at the University of Kansas.
In the minor leagues, he hit .297 with 4 home runs in 94 at-bats in 2003 and .267 with 3 home runs in 45 at-bats in 2004. In the Major Leagues, Greinke has accumulated just 356 at-bats and has hit .225 with 9 home runs.
Analysis of His Potential as a Two-way Player:
While Zack Greinke has shown some potential as a position player, his true value lies in his ability as a pitcher. He has established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball, winning a Cy Young Award in 2009 and earning six All-Star selections throughout his career.
While it’s possible that he could have had success as a position player if he had focused on hitting earlier in his career, it’s unlikely that he would be able to maintain his level of success as a pitcher while also playing regularly in the field.
Evaluation of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Being a Two-way Player
Being a two-way player has its benefits and drawbacks. On the one hand, it allows a player to contribute in multiple ways and can make them a more valuable asset to their team. Additionally, being a successful two-way player can lead to increased recognition and accolades.
However, there are also drawbacks to being a two-way player. It can be physically demanding to play both positions, which can increase the risk of injury.
Additionally, it can be challenging to maintain a high level of success in both areas, as it requires a significant amount of time and effort to develop the necessary skills for each position.
Ultimately, whether or not a player should pursue a two-way role depends on their individual skills and goals, as well as the needs of their team.
For Zack Greinke, his success as a pitcher is well-established, and it’s unlikely that he would be able to maintain his level of success while also playing regularly as a position player.
Zack Greinke’s career statistics as both a pitcher and position player:
| Year | Team | Position | AVG | HR | RBI | W-L Record | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | KC | P | — | — | — | 8-11 | 3.97 | 146 |
| 2005 | KC | P | — | — | — | 5-17 | 5.80 | 114 |
| 2006 | KC | P | — | — | — | 7-7 | 4.26 | 114 |
| 2007 | KC | P | — | — | — | 7-6 | 3.69 | 183 |
| 2008 | KC | P | — | — | — | 13-10 | 3.47 | 183 |
| 2009 | KC | P | — | — | — | 16-8 | 2.16 | 242 |
| 2010 | KC | P | — | — | — | 10-14 | 4.17 | 181 |
| 2011 | MIL | P | — | — | — | 16-6 | 3.83 | 201 |
| 2012 | MIL | P | — | — | — | 15-5 | 3.48 | 200 |
| 2013 | LAD | P | — | — | — | 15-4 | 2.63 | 148 |
| 2014 | LAD | P | — | — | — | 17-8 | 2.71 | 207 |
| 2015 | LAD | P | — | — | — | 19-3 | 1.66 | 200 |
| 2016 | ARI | P | — | — | — | 13-7 | 4.37 | 134 |
| 2017 | ARI | P | — | — | — | 17-7 | 3.20 | 215 |
| 2018 | ARI | P | — | — | — | 15-11 | 3.21 | 199 |
| 2019 | HOU | P | — | — | — | 18-5 | 2.93 | 187 |
| 2020 | HOU | P | — | — | — | 3-3 | 4.03 | 67 |
| 2021 | HOU | P | — | — | — | 12-6 | 3.94 | 128 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Totals | .225 | 9 | 41 | 215-126 | 3.43 | 2867 |
This table shows that while Greinke has primarily been a pitcher throughout his career, he has also played in the field on occasion. However, his statistics as a position player are relatively limited, with a career batting average of .225 and 9 home runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Zack Greinke ever played a position other than pitcher in the Major Leagues?
While Greinke has primarily been a pitcher throughout his career, he has also played in the field on occasion. He has made a handful of appearances as a pinch hitter and has played in the field a few times in his career, primarily as an outfielder.
Has Zack Greinke expressed any interest in becoming a two-way player in the future?
While Greinke has not explicitly stated that he wants to become a two-way player, he has expressed an interest in being a more complete player and working on his hitting and fielding skills. However, he has also acknowledged that his primary focus is on pitching and that his success as a pitcher is his top priority.
Are there any other examples of successful two-way players in baseball history?
Yes, there have been several successful two-way players throughout baseball history, although the practice has become much less common in recent years. Some notable examples include Babe Ruth, who was a dominant pitcher and hitter in the early 1900s, and Shohei Ohtani, who is a current player for the Los Angeles Angels and has had success as both a pitcher and hitter.
What are some of the challenges of being a two-way player?
One of the main challenges of being a two-way player is the physical demands of playing both positions. It can be difficult to maintain the necessary stamina and avoid injury when playing in the field while also pitching regularly. Additionally, it can be challenging to balance the time and effort needed to develop the necessary skills for both positions, which can make it difficult to maintain a high level of success in both areas.
To Recap
Zack Greinke is a talented baseball player who has achieved great success as a pitcher in the Major Leagues. While he has limited experience as a position player, he has shown potential as a two-way player throughout his career.
However, given his continued success on the mound, it’s unlikely that he will make a full-time transition to a position player in the future. Despite this, his ability as a hitter and fielder demonstrates his overall skill and versatility as a baseball player.
Ultimately, whether or not a player pursues a two-way role depends on their individual skills and goals, as well as the needs of their team.
While being a two-way player has its benefits and drawbacks, the most important thing is for a player to find their niche and excel at it, just as Zack Greinke has done throughout his career.
