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Zackary Grant Britton (born December 22, 1987), known professionally as Zach Britton until February 2019, is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees.
Britton graduated from Weatherford High School in Texas and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the third round of the 2006 MLB draft. Initially a starting pitcher, Britton converted to a closer and led the American League in saves in 2016 and was named to the AL All-Star team in 2015 and 2016. From September 20, 2015, to August 23, 2017, Britton converted 60 straight saves, an American League record. The Orioles traded Britton to New York during the 2018 season.
Britton attended Canyon High School for his freshman year. During baseball practice with the freshman team, he sustained bone fracture of the skull and clavicle and bleeding in the brain as a result of diving headfirst into concrete while attempting to catch a foul batted ball. He spent two days in intensive care.
Britton's family moved to Texas, and Britton transferred to Weatherford High School. He was an all-state outfielder for the baseball team and also pitched. Britton was offered an athletic scholarship to attend Texas A&M University.
Before the 2010 season, Britton was named the Orioles' third-best prospect according to Baseball America. In a midseason top 25 prospect list, he was ranked the 10th-best prospect in all of baseball. Prior to 2011, Baseball America had him ranked second among Orioles prospects.
Britton showcased his batting prowess during his first experience with interleague play. His five hits in eight were the most by any American League pitcher in 2011. His first major league hit and run batted in (RBI) came on a double off Jason Marquis in the fourth inning of an 8–4 defeat to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 17. He hit his first big league home run off Brandon Beachy in the third inning of a 5–4 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 3.
Britton was unexpectedly sent to the Bowie Baysox on July 9. After a 5–1 start, he had lost six of his next seven decisions. There was speculation that the Orioles made the move to prevent him from getting a full year of major league service time and thus delaying his eligibility for free agent by a season.
Britton finished his rookie campaign, appearing in 28 games (all starts), pitching to a 4.61 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and an 11–11 record.
In his second season, Britton pitched to a disappointing 5.07 ERA in 12 games (11 starts), compiling a 5–3 record.
Britton's 33rd consecutive save to start the season on August 3 set an MLB record for most consecutive saves to start a season by a left handed pitcher and the seventh longest of all-time to start a season. On August 11, Britton set the MLB record for most consecutive relief appearances without allowing an earned run, which was thirty-nine up to that point. In doing so, he lowered his season ERA to 0.56 and converted his 35th save in 35 attempts on the year. On August 22, Britton converted his 38th save of the season in 38 attempts, setting a career-high in saves. He also appeared in his 43rd straight game without allowing an earned run, the longest such streak since earned runs became a stat in 1913. On August 24, Britton allowed his first earned run in 44 appearances in a 10–8 win over the Washington Nationals, ending his MLB-record streak.
Britton pitched in 69 games, throwing 67 innings while allowing only four earned runs for a 0.54 ERA. This broke the MLB record for lowest single-season ERA by a pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched. He finished with 74 strikeouts and just an 0.84 WHIP, going 2–1, allowing only one home run and saving all 47 save opportunities he faced. From the beginning of May to the end of the regular season, Britton pitched to an 0.16 ERA, holding hitters to a .160/.222/.195 slash. Britton led the American League in saves (47), games finished (63) and win probability added (6.5). Britton was not used in a tied 2–2 game in the 11th inning of the American League Wild Card game against the Toronto Blue Jays, which resulted in teammate Ubaldo Jiménez allowing a walk off three-run home run to Edwin Encarnación. The Orioles lost the game by a final of 5–2.
Britton won the Mariano Rivera Award. He placed fourth in the AL Cy Young Award balloting behind winner Rick Porcello, Justin Verlander, and Corey Kluber, receiving five first place votes, while also finishing 11th on the MVP ballot.
He finished 2017 by making 38 appearances out of the bullpen with a 2–1 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 15 saves. He threw a sinker 87.5% of the time, tops in MLB. On December 20, it was revealed that Britton suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, ruling him out for six months.
Britton signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year with the Yankees on January 11, 2019.
In 2020, Britton was 1–2 with eight saves and a 1.89 ERA. On October 29, the Yankees picked up Britton's $14 million option for 2022.
Midway through spring training in 2021, Britton experienced elbow discomfort and a bone chip in his left elbow was discovered following an MRI, which required arthroscopic surgery and a recovery period of 3–4 months. On March 31, 2021, Britton was placed on the 60-day injured list. On June 12, Britton was activated from the injured list. On August 12, Britton became the first losing pitcher in the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa. After the Yankees rallied back down 7–4 in the top of the 9th with home runs by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton to go up 8–7, Britton came in to get the save since Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was injured. Britton got White Sox batter Danny Mendick to ground out to get the first out of the inning. Britton then walked Seby Zavala and then on the first pitch he threw to Tim Anderson, Anderson hit it out of the park to give the White Sox the 9–8 win. On September 9, 2021, Britton underwent Tommy John surgery along with removal of bone chips in his pitching elbow.
Britton was activated from the 60-day injured list on September 22, 2022. He left the game of September 30 with arm fatigue and went back on the 60-day injured list the next day.
On November 20, 2023, Britton announced his retirement from professional baseball.
His older brother Buck Britton is currently on the Orioles' major league coaching staff. He also has a cousin, Lance Britton, who hosts The Lance Britton Show on Mile High Sports Radio 1510 in Denver, Colorado.
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