ARLINGTON, Texas - The Seattle Mariners called up Embry-Riddle baseball alum Zac Grotz to their major league roster on Wednesday afternoon, making the right-handed pitcher the third Eagle to ever reach the big leagues.
 

HUGE congratulations to Eagle alum @zacgrotz on getting called up to the @Mariners today. We could not be more proud of you! #ForeverAnEagle pic.twitter.com/Ha9dh4E0JN

— Embry-Riddle Baseball (@ERAUBaseball) July 31, 2019

Grotz's story, much like fellow Eagle Daniel Ponce de Leon, is one of baseball adversity, but ultimately, perseverance. The San Mateo, California native spent time at three separate colleges before coming to ERAU in 2015. Grotz posted one of the best pitching seasons in program history for the Eagles in their final season in the NAIA, earning All-America accolades for ERAU while leading them to the NAIA World Series for the 13th and final time. The do-it-all pitcher went 8-2 in 32 appearances, including five starts, posting an unbelievable 0.70 ERA in 77.2 innings with nine saves and two complete games. Grotz struck out 90 batters for the Blue and Gold, holding opponents to just a .172 average.

The Houston Astros took Grotz in the 28th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He went 5-3 with a 3.27 ERA in 19 appearances in his rookie season for two Astros affiliates, but Houston released him prior to the 2016 season. Grotz was then picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 4-0 for the Ogden Raptors but again was released, this time in the middle of the season.

Over the next year and a half, Grotz pitched for three Independent League teams as well as a 13-game stint with the New York Mets' affiliate Columbia Fireflies, but once again was let go by the Mets following the 2018 season.

Grotz didn't give up, and the Seattle Mariners took a flyer on him in February of this year, assigning him to their AA affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers. Grotz has been a revelation for the Travelers over the first half of the minor league season, posting a 2.51 ERA in 57.1 innings with a 1.01 WHIP. Grotz has struck out 69 batters with just 11 walks in 26 games, including six starts.

Zac Grotz was released by the Astros & Dodgers in 2016. Pitched part of 2016 & all of 2017 in Indy Ball. Mets organization & Indy Ball in 2018. Signed with the Mariners in February & is now a big leaguer.

— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) July 31, 2019

 
"Zac has overcome a lot of adversity in his minor league career, but kept working and believing in his ability," Embry-Riddle Head Coach Randy Stegall said. "The Mariners gave Zac the confidence and the chance he needed and he's has been nothing short of great for them this year. We are all very proud of him and all he has accomplished since leaving here. It's a great story."

The Mariners take on the Texas Rangers tonight at 8:05 p.m. (ET) in Arlington.
 

Good for Grotz, who is enjoying his time with the Mariners after coming over from the Mets. He specifically pointed to Seattle's use of analytics as something he felt helped him. Grotz has a K/9 of over 10 in Arkansas, can pitch multiple innings, and doesn't walk many batters. https://t.co/QDrfYY2NC4

— Lookout Landing (@LookoutLanding) July 31, 2019