Shorebirds Player Feature: Zack Britton

Zack Britton is one of the most recognizable names to have played for the Delmarva Shorebirds. Britton has had a lengthy career in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles and others. A two-time All-Star, Britton made his debut in the major league on April 3rd, 2011 at 23 years old. Out of Britton’s impressive 439 career games played, over 300 were in the orange and black. Aside from Baltimore, the southpaw pitcher has also played for the New York Yankees.

Britton signed a one-year $6.75 million contract after being named to his first All-star game in 2015. The southpaw pitcher continued his All-star level play in 2016 earning another bid for the game and leading the American League in Saves. Leading the AL in saves coincided with earning AL Reliever Of the Year. Britton joined elite company during his time in Baltimore, becoming just the 5th pitcher in MLB history to convert 50 consecutive save opportunities.

Now entrenched as a major leaguer, Britton has been producing at an elite level even dating back to his high school days. He started his career playing for Canyon High School but moved to Texas where he finished his last 3 years of high school at Weatherford HS.

Committed to Texas A&M after impressing them as an all-state outfielder in high school, Britton spurned the college after the Orioles took him in the 3rd round of the 2006 MLB Draft. Assigned to the Bluefield Orioles, Britton had made his professional baseball debut in the Appalachian League. His first and only season for Bluefield saw Britton play in 11 games and put up a 5.29 ERA and a 0-4 record as a starter.

The next season Britton played for the Aberdeen Ironbirds. Britton’s second season of professional baseball saw major improvements where he threw a 3.63 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP going 6-4 along the way. The following season in 2008, Britton was assigned to the Delmarva Shorebirds for his first stint with the team. Putting up a career-best, Britton was one of the focal points of the team. A personal record of 12-7, posting a 3.12 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP. A stellar year on the Eastern Shore saw Britton get promoted to the Frederick Keys of the Carolina League where he posted a 2.47 ERA in 2009. Britton continued his ascent in 2010 making stops at both AA Bowie and AAA Norfolk pitching to a 2.47 ERA. With Britton’s prospect status elevating he was invited to the 2010 Futures Game for Team USA.

5 years after getting drafted, Britton finally broke into the majors as a part of the starting rotation. Britton spent three years as a member of the Oriole's starting rotation until he was moved to the bullpen in 2014 where he flourished. Britton’s role shift to the bullpen culminated in multiple 30 save seasons, and even an elusive 40 save season. Britton ended up being significantly more productive than most 3rd round selections tend to be.

Returning to the Shorebirds after he was firmly entrenched in the big leagues, Britton spent some of the 2017 season in Delmarva as he needed to rehab a torn Achilles. In 2018, the Orioles traded Britton to the New York Yankees for a plethora of players. The change of scenery did not seem to affect Britton, his first season in the Big Apple saw him put up a 2.88 ERA in 25 games, 10 of which he finished. His sustained success for the Yankees earned Britton a 3-year contract with New York in 2019. Unfortunately, Britton ended up dealing with elbow pain, later an MRI revealed a bone chip causing him to get Tommy John surgery shutting down his 2021 season.

Notorious for his sinker that has plagued MLB hitters for over a decade, Britton has pitched a 3.12 ERA and is eighth on active MLB save leaders with 154 saves. Although Britton was last permanently on the Eastern Shore 14 years ago, the memories of his tenure with the Shorebirds and his continued success in the Majors is a constant reminder of the success he once had with the Shorebirds and the organization that took a chance on him in the 2006 draft.