| Zack Short | |
| Team: | Atlanta Braves |
| Position: | Infielder |
| Birth Date: | 29 May 1995 |
| Birth Place: | Kingston, New York, U.S. |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | April 21 |
| Debutyear: | 2021 |
| Debutteam: | Detroit Tigers |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Statyear: | July 24, 2024 |
| Stat1label: | Batting average |
| Stat1value: | .167 |
| Stat2label: | Home runs |
| Stat2value: | 13 |
| Stat3label: | Runs batted in |
| Stat3value: | 60 |
| Stat4label: | Stolen bases |
| Stat4value: | 10 |
| Teams: |
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Zachary Ryan Short (born May 29, 1995) is an American professional baseball infielder in the Atlanta Braves organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox.
Short attended Kingston High School in Kingston, New York, and Sacred Heart University, where he played college baseball for the Sacred Heart Pioneers. In 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1]
The Chicago Cubs selected Short in the 17th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[2] After signing, Short spent his first professional season with both the Arizona League Cubs and Eugene Emeralds where he batted .257 with one home run and 31 RBIs in 53 games. He played 2017 with the South Bend Cubs and Myrtle Beach Pelicans, hitting for a combined .250/.383/.419 with 13 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 131 games, and 2018 with the Tennessee Smokies,[3] [4] hitting .227 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs in 124 games.[5]
The Cubs invited Short to spring training in 2019.[6] He began 2019 with the Iowa Cubs,[7] but also spent time with Tennessee and in the Arizona League while rehabbing. Over 63 games in total for the season, Short batted .235 with six home runs and 25 RBIs. Following the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League with the Mesa Solar Sox.[8]
Short was added to Chicago's 40–man roster following the 2019 season.[9]
On August 31, 2020, the Cubs traded Short to the Detroit Tigers for Cameron Maybin shortly before the trade deadline.[10] He did not play a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
On April 21, 2021, Short was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[12] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting third baseman against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On April 23, Short recorded his first MLB hit, a single off of Kansas City Royals starter Mike Minor. On June 26, Short recorded his first MLB home run, a two-run home run, off Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez.[13] He finished the 2021 season with a .141 batting average in 61 games.
Short spent the majority of the 2022 season with the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens, playing in 128 games and hitting .229/.355/.373 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. He appeared in six major-league contests with the Tigers, going hitless with two RBI and two walks in 13 plate appearances.[14]
Short was optioned to Triple–A Toledo to begin the 2023 season.[15] In 112 games for the Tigers, he batted .204/.292/.339 with career–highs in home runs (7), RBI (33), and stolen bases (5).[16]
On November 6, 2023, Short was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.[17] He made the Mets opening day roster.[18] In 10 games for the Mets, he went 1–for–9 (.111) with two walks. On April 26, 2024, Short was designated for assignment to make room for J. D. Martinez on the roster.[19] [20]
On May 1, 2024, the Mets traded Short to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.[21] [22] On May 8, after appearing in two games for Boston and going 0–for–7, the Red Sox designated Short for assignment.[23]
On May 9, 2024, the Red Sox traded Short to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.[24] [25] On May 12, he made his Braves debut against the New York Mets.[26] In 30 games with Atlanta, Short batted .148/.313/.204 with five RBI. On July 25, Short was designated for assignment by the Braves.[27] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers on July 27.[28]