Blue Jays broadcasters and analysts: A look at their playing days

Gregg Zaun

1,232 games played over 16 MLB seasons
.252 AVG  –  .344 OBP  –  88 HR

Switch-hitting catcher Gregg Zaun saw major league time with six different organizations between 1995 and 2010, beginning with the Baltimore Orioles who originally drafted him in the 17th round in 1989.

After cracking the Orioles roster as a primary backup, Zaun was dealt to the Florida Marlins as the “player to be named later” in a deal for relief pitcher Terry Mathews. Playing behind star catcher Charles Johnson, Zaun was part of the 1997 World Series Championship in Florida.

In 58 games that season as a 26-year-old, Zaun posted an impressive slash line of .301 / .415 / .441.

Following a down year with the Marlins in 1998, Zaun was traded to the Texas Rangers in a multi-player deal. Before the following season began, he was shipped to the Kansas City Royals.

After a strong os stops in Houston, Colorado, and a cup of coffee with the Montreal Expos in the spring of 2004, Zaun finally landed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Zaun gave the Blue Jays some very nice seasons, too, emerging as a legitimate starting option from 2004 to 2008 despite sharing time with Bengie Molina and Rod Barajas along with way.

For his career, Zaun produced a total of 12.2 wins above replacement, peaking at 2.0 with the Blue Jays in 2005 and 1.8 between the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays in 2009. Despite lacking a high success rate throwing out opposing runners (career 24%), Zaun graded out very well defensively, especially in the latter half of his career.

The ‘Whoa’ Stat:

Zaun is credited with pitching three and a third innings in the minor leagues, first in 1990 with the Bluefield Orioles and then in 1993 with the double-A Bowie Baysox.

His final line? Two hits allowed, one walk, one strikeout, and a shiny 0.00 ERA!

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