Zach Eflin – Baltimore Orioles Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Zach Eflin has carved out a spot as one of baseball’s more reliable starting pitchers since his MLB debut. The right-hander grabbed headlines when he signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2022. That deal set a record for the largest free agent contract in Rays history.

He’s currently earning $11 million per year, which has helped push his estimated net worth to about $53.9 million.

Eflin’s journey to financial stability didn’t come easy. He bounced around early on, getting traded a couple of times before settling in with the Philadelphia Phillies. After joining the Rays, he really started to shine. In 2023, he delivered the kind of performances that made Tampa Bay’s investment look pretty smart.

This season, after a trade, he’s now the highest-paid pitcher in Orioles history.

But Eflin’s value goes well beyond his bank account. He’s earned respect across the league for his consistency and leadership. If he keeps this up, analysts figure his contract numbers and net worth could climb even higher.

Early Life and Background

Zach Eflin’s path to Major League Baseball started in Florida. Those early experiences and influences in the Sunshine State shaped him as a pitcher.

His upbringing and high school days gave him a strong foundation for his pro career.

Family and Hometown

Zachary Adams Eflin was born on April 8, 1994, in Orlando, Florida. Growing up there, he enjoyed year-round baseball—a big advantage in a state known for producing top players.

Florida’s competitive youth leagues gave Eflin lots of chances to develop. The warm weather meant he could play and practice more than kids up north.

Even as his career took off, Eflin kept his central Florida roots close. There’s not much public info about his immediate family, but their support mattered a lot as he grew into an athlete.

High School Baseball Career

Eflin attended Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida. There, he quickly made a name for himself as an elite pitching prospect.

His powerful right arm and accuracy got the attention of professional scouts. Facing tough competition in high school, he took big steps forward.

The San Diego Padres picked him 33rd overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. That Competitive Balance Round A selection showed just how highly teams rated him among high school arms.

Notable Influences

Several coaches and mentors helped Eflin hone his pitching mechanics and mental approach. His high school coaches, in particular, played a big part in shaping his raw talent.

He also looked up to pro players from Florida. The state’s history of producing MLB stars gave him plenty of examples to follow.

The fierce baseball culture in Florida kept pushing him to improve. Competing against other top prospects pushed Eflin to work even harder.

He got access to quality coaching and facilities early on, which sped up his development as a pitcher.

Professional Career Overview

Zach Eflin has put together quite a career, playing for multiple MLB teams along the way. He’s steadily developed as a starting pitcher, showing off strong command and the ability to rack up strikeouts.

MLB Debut and Rookie Season

Zachary Adams Eflin broke into the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. The San Diego Padres originally drafted him 33rd overall in 2012, then traded him to the Dodgers. The Dodgers quickly shipped him to the Phillies in the Jimmy Rollins deal.

His rookie season came with the usual ups and downs. Eflin showed flashes of what he could do, especially with his sinker-slider mix. He picked up his first MLB win against the Atlanta Braves, proving he belonged.

Right from the start, he built a reputation as a strike-thrower who didn’t walk many hitters. That’s stayed true throughout his career.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

Eflin spent six seasons with the Phillies (2016-2022) and grew into a steady middle-rotation starter. He sharpened his pitch mix and became known for excellent control and a knack for getting ground balls.

In 2018, he made a big change—throwing more four-seam fastballs up in the zone instead of leaning on his sinker. That tweak led to more strikeouts and better results overall.

Injuries, especially knee problems, sometimes got in the way. He even needed surgery at one point. Still, Eflin bounced back and kept getting better.

In his last year with Philly, he moved to the bullpen during their 2022 postseason run. He helped out as they made it to the World Series.

Milestones with the Tampa Bay Rays

Eflin joined the Rays in December 2022, signing a three-year, $40 million contract. That was the biggest free-agent deal for a pitcher in Rays history.

He quickly became one of their most consistent starters. The 2023 season stands out as his best yet, with career highs across the board:

• Wins: Led the American League for much of the year
• Strikeout-to-walk ratio: Among the league’s elite
• Complete games: Threw multiple, showing off his efficiency

Eflin’s pinpoint control and ability to pitch deep into games made him a huge asset for Tampa Bay. His success there really solidified his reputation as a pitcher who gets the most out of his stuff.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Eflin has hit a few big milestones. He’s thrown multiple complete game shutouts, including his first against the Pittsburgh Pirates while with the Phillies.

He’s become one of the best in baseball at limiting walks and throwing strikes, regularly ranking near the top in:

• Walks per nine innings
• Strike percentage
• Innings per start

In 2023, the Rays gave him Opening Day starter honors. That move showed how much he’d grown into a top-of-the-rotation guy.

He’s not a classic power pitcher, but his accuracy and smarts have helped him outperform plenty of harder throwers.

His career earnings have climbed, too. Estimates put his net worth at over $53 million, which says a lot about his value to MLB teams.

Contracts and Salaries

Zach Eflin’s financial story in Major League Baseball shows how far he’s come—and how the market for good pitching has changed. His salary has risen a lot since his early days, and now he’s one of the highest-paid pitchers in Rays history.

Draft and Signing Details

The San Diego Padres picked Eflin 33rd overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. He signed for a $1.2 million bonus. Before he even made it to the big leagues, he got traded twice—first to the Dodgers in the Matt Kemp deal, then to the Phillies in the Jimmy Rollins trade.

Eflin’s first MLB contract was the standard pre-arbitration deal with the Phillies, so he made close to the league minimum for his first three seasons. That phase helped set his value before he could negotiate bigger paydays.

Major Contract Extensions

While with the Phillies, Eflin signed a one-year, $5.7 million deal to avoid arbitration for 2022. That marked a big jump from his earlier salaries and showed how much the team valued him in their rotation.

After the 2022 season, the Phillies declined his $15 million mutual option and paid him a $150,000 buyout, making him a free agent. That move turned out to be a turning point, letting him hit the open market when teams were hungry for dependable starting pitching.

His Phillies years built his rep as a control artist with improving strikeout numbers, setting him up for a better long-term deal.

Free Agency Decisions

In December 2022, Eflin agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. That contract broke the Rays’ old pattern of avoiding big free agent spending.

For 2025, Eflin is set to make $11 million, although some sources say it could be as high as $18 million that year. After a trade, his contract made him the highest-paid pitcher in Orioles history.

The Chicago Cubs reportedly showed interest during his free agency, but Tampa Bay’s offer won out.

Performance and Playing Style

Zach Eflin has grown into one of the most dependable starters in the majors. His mix of sharp control and a varied pitch selection keeps hitters guessing. Watching him go from Phillies prospect to Rays ace has been pretty impressive.

Pitching Repertoire and Strengths

Eflin works with a five-pitch mix, but his sinker—usually 92-94 mph with heavy movement—stands out. His curveball has become his go-to for strikeouts, thanks to its sharp 12-6 break. He also mixes in a slider, changeup, and four-seam fastball.

What really sets Eflin apart is his command. In 2023, he averaged only 1.8 walks per nine innings, ranking near the top in the American League. He doesn’t need overpowering velocity—he wins by hitting his spots and changing speeds.

After joining the Rays, he boosted his ground ball rate, taking advantage of Tampa Bay’s strong infield defense.

Notable Games and Stats

Eflin’s breakout 2023 season included an AL-leading 16 wins and a career-best 3.50 ERA. He finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting. One of his best games came against the Boston Red Sox in July 2023—eight shutout innings, 10 strikeouts, and just 89 pitches.

His efficiency really jumps out:

• Career-best 3.0 K/BB ratio
• 16 quality starts in 2023
• 1.02 WHIP at his best

And he managed all that while pitching in the tough AL East, facing stacked lineups from the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays again and again.

Comparisons with Other MLB Pitchers

If you look at pitching styles, Eflin actually reminds me a bit of Zack Wheeler. Both guys have solid command and know how to mix up their pitches, though Wheeler can really bring the heat more than Eflin.

Eflin also shares some traits with Corbin Burnes. He keeps the ball down and gets a lot of ground balls, but Burnes gets more horizontal movement on his stuff.

Eflin doesn’t throw like Max Fried and can’t do everything Shohei Ohtani can, but his pitching style seems built to last. People often call Eflin a “pitcher’s pitcher.” He uses his smarts and precision, not just raw power, to get outs.

After joining Tampa Bay, Eflin transformed his game—kind of like other pitchers who thrived with the Rays’ pitching development program.

What really sets Eflin apart? He’s stepped up as a mentor for younger pitchers, all while still working on his own craft.

Net Worth and Personal Life

Zach Eflin’s money situation goes well beyond just his salary. He’s got investments and personal projects that show what matters to him off the field.

Estimated Net Worth

Eflin has put together some serious wealth from his baseball career.

Right now, his net worth sits at about $53,944,147. Most of that comes from his MLB contracts, especially the big three-year, $40 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays he signed in December 2022.

He brings in an annual salary of $11 million with the Rays. That contract broke records for the franchise, topping Wilson Álvarez’s previous mark for the biggest free-agent deal in team history.

His salary has climbed as he’s proven himself as a reliable starter in the majors.

Endorsements and Investments

You probably won’t see Eflin in as many national ads as teammates like J.T. Realmuto or stars like Mookie Betts, but he’s landed a handful of regional endorsement deals. Most of these are with sporting goods brands and some local Tampa Bay companies.

Eflin keeps details about his investments pretty quiet. Most financial advisors for MLB players suggest spreading investments across real estate, stocks, maybe a business or two. Other players like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber have talked about planning for life after baseball.

Unlike someone like Alex Bregman, who talks openly about his financial moves, Eflin prefers to keep that part of his life private.

Personal Interests and Philanthropy

Off the field, Eflin likes to spend time with his family. He also gets out for some fishing in the Florida waters near where he lives now.

Honestly, he seems a lot like other MLB players who crave a little peace away from all the noise of pro sports.

Eflin jumps into the Rays’ community initiatives now and then, but he keeps things pretty low-key. He doesn’t go for the spotlight the way some guys like Cody Bellinger or Juan Soto do.

Cancer research organizations have gotten his support, which makes sense since his family has faced some tough health battles.

Sometimes you’ll spot him joining teammates at hospital visits or helping out at youth baseball clinics around Tampa Bay. He hasn’t set up his own foundation, unlike a few bigger names, but he still pitches in for local causes through team events and by showing up when it matters.

His approach to giving back matches his quiet, reserved vibe. He seems to care more about making a difference than chasing publicity.