Prospects on Deck: RHP Zack Godley – Diamondbacks

It was such a busy winter for teams all around major league baseball.  We saw an abundance of free agents signings (as we do most winters) and we also saw a number of trades.  Many times though when trades are made, it can take several years to know if it worked out for both teams or not.  When a veteran player changes clubs the impact could be instant.  For the team that acquires prospects it all remains to be seen.

One trade that happened this winter was a deal that sent veteran backstop Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs for two prospects.  One was 20-year old righty from the Dominican Republic Jeferson Mejia, and the other was pitcher Zack Godley.  Mejia was seen as maybe the “better” of the two and instantly cracked the Diamondbacks top prospect list checking in at number 12.  Godley however didn’t make the list.  Yet.

Zack Godley was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the 50th round of the 2009 draft.  Instead of signing, Godley headed off to college with a stop at Spartanburg Methodist College before ending his collegiate career as a Volunteer at the University of Tennessee.  Entering the draft again at the conclusion of the 2013 season, Godley was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the draft.

In his first professional season, Godley played in the Rookie League with the Arizona Cubs before heading to Class-A Boise of the Northwest League.  He had a very nice debut going 2-0 with an ERA of 1.75 in 13 appearances, all in relief.

The Cubs then sent him to Class-A Kane County of the Midwest League and was really good.  His seven saves and 1.80 ERA for the Cougars in eleven games earned him yet another promotion, this time to Class-A Advanced Daytona.  He continued to rack up strikeouts as he did at Kane County, but he was having a difficult time getting batters out any other way.  His ERA about doubled and his WHIP went from 1.067 to 1.413 unfortunately due to his 40 hits and 17 walks in 40.1 innings.

Things have been much different so far in 2015.

Call it maturation or a change of scenery or whatever you want, but Godley is making his presence known now as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.  He is currently playing for the Vasalia Rawhide of the California League (Class-A Advanced) and is tearing things up.

Up until this season, Godley was being used as a relief pitcher.  With experience in college as a starter, he is back at that role and thriving.  So far in five starts, Godley has a record of 5-0 with an ERA of 0.90.  He has gone six innings or more in four of the five starts and only allowed earned runs in one of those, when he gave up three in a game against the San Jose Giants back in April.

It isn’t so much that he is leading Class-A Advanced in wins so far that caught my attention, it was 0.90 WHIP and opponents .183 batting average that did.  Godley is a player to keep your eye on.  If you are a fan of Vasalia and haven’t seen him pitch, you may want to be sure to do it because if what he is doing so far continues he may be gone and off to Mobile (Double-A) in not time.