Seeing players go down with injury is something we all hate, especially when it’s a prospect that we eagerly wait to make his MLB debut. This is the story of right-hander Zach Peek and his return to the field after his injury.
Peek is a fan favorite here at The Baltimore Battery, especially by our editor Jared Watson and fellow writer Justin Sutphin. Peek was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft by the Los Angeles Angels out of Winthrop University. Peek would be traded just months later to the Orioles in the same trade that brought current staff ace Kyle Bradish to Baltimore in exchange for Dylan Bundy.
Peek would begin his minor league career in 2021, when he would split time between Low-A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen and produce a 3.80 ERA in 23 total games, 16 starts. He would then be called up to Double-A Bowie for the 2022 season, and that is when disaster struck.
It would start on May 3, when Peek would be placed on the seven-day injured list and wouldn’t be activated until May 26. Then, Peek would be placed on the 60-day IL on August 6 and then be activated on November 10.
He would also start the 2023 season on the 60-day IL, as it would be announced that Peek had a UCL injury and would need Tommy John surgery. Peek would stay active on social media throughout his time and show his progress over time.
Peek would make his first rehab start over a year later on August 11, when he played for the Orioles’ FCL team. The now-25-year-old would go just 0.2 of an inning, give up two hits, four runs, one earned run and strike out a batter.
He would then one week later on August 18 pitch for the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds, where he would go 1.1 innings, give up three hits, no runs, one walk and strike out two.
Peek’s last rehab start was on August 25 when he faced Hudson Valley and went 2.1 innings, gave up two hits, four runs, three earned runs, walked five batters and didn’t get a single strikeout.
His fourth rehab start was more of the same and almost identical. Once again, Peek would go 2.1 innings for Aberdeen, allowing four total runs, three earned, on three hits. He did strike out four and walked just two, a significant improvement.
Coming off a major procedure like Tommy John is a lengthy process. Peek will have the remainder of this season to build himself back up and get back to the pitcher that Elias sought after in 2019, at the beginning of the O’s rebuild.
We can’t wait to see Peek back on the mound full-time, hopefully making his major league debut within the coming years. We wish nothing but the best for Peek as he continues this journey.
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