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Charlie Zink Joins the Cardinals, Takes the Torch with Him

In 2002, when the 22-year-old Charlie Zink began experimenting with the knuckleball for the Red Sox, two thoughts came to the minds of Red Sox Nation. First, Zink could be the eventual successor to Tim Wakefield, the next generation throwback pitcher who could continue the tradition of the knuckleball. Second, at just 22, he was young enough that even if he didn’t master the unique pitch until he was 30 he could still have a successful major league career because knuckleballers can last forever, or so it seems.

Fast forward to 2010: Zink is 30, has one (disappointing) major league appearance, and despite several promising seasons in the minors, has not developed into the heir of the knuckleball and a successful major league pitcher. He is also now a St. Louis Cardinal.

Down on the Farm

After signing with the Red Sox as an undrafted free agent, Zink watched tapes of Wakefield pitching and had early success in the low minors, including a few near no-hitters. When he was in a groove, Zink could pitch well at each level he appeared at. But when he struggled, as in 2004 and 2005, he really struggled – at Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A. In 2006 and 2007, although his ERA improved, Zink continued to have trouble with his command and was simply putting too many men on base. In the Baseball Prospectus 2008 annual, Zink was a mere line item suggesting that his control needed to improve.

Year	ERA	K:BB	WHIP
2002	1.41	3.11	1.099
2003	3.80	1.44	1.200
2004	5.77	0.65	1.895
2005	5.37	1.23	1.556
2006	3.86	1.00	1.466
2007	4.63	1.10	1.529
2008	2.84	2.16	1.107
2009	5.59	0.51	1.677

And the Winner Is…

With his prospect status on the line, Charlie Zink came up big during the 2008 season, taking his game to another level. Spending the most of the year at Triple-A Pawtucket, Zink tossed 174.1 minor league innings with a 2.84 ERA, 106 strikeouts, 49 walks and just 144 hits. Zink pitched well enough to earn his first big-league start and was named the 2008 International League Most Valuable Pitcher.

What Zink did not win was his first major league start. In what would become an epic 19-17 win over the Rangers, Zink gave up eight runs and allowed eleven hits over just four and a third innings.

2009

In order to clear room on the 40-man roster after signing Rocco Baldelli, the Red Sox designated Zink for assignment before the 2009 season. However, he ended up back with the Red Sox for a chance to pick up where his career year in 2008 had left off, aside from the one ugly major league outing. Unfortunately 2009 was yet another setback season for the knuckler, as he faired poorly against Triple-A hitters after dominating them the prior season.

Where Does He Go from Here?

While things do not look the best for Zink at the moment, taking a minor league deal with the Cardinals could turn out all right. He is still just 30 years old and one season removed from some major breakthroughs in his game. He’s also moving out of the Fenway spotlight and away from a team that has the closest thing to a surplus of pitching a team can have.  His new club may need some help at the back of the rotation after Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.

Being in the same organization as Dave Duncan can’t hurt either, as Duncan has an uncanny ability to breath new life into many pitchers, like recent Angel acquisition and former Red Sox reject Joel Piniero. Add that to the possibility of facing weaker competition in the National League and Zink could yet follow in the path of Tim Wakefield, catching on for good with his second team.

Tags: Charlie Zink, Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Tim Wakefield

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