MACK - Let’s Get To Know – LHP Zach Crotchfelt

 

MACK - Let’s Get To Know – LHP Zach Crotchfelt

 Zach Crotchfelt (full name Zachary Bryant Crotchfelt) is a left-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Mets in the 14th round (420th overall) of the 2026 MLB Draft out of Troy University. He signed for $150,000 and was assigned to the FCL Mets shortly after.

Born: October 3, 2003 (age 22 as of August 2026), in Neptune, New Jersey; hometown Jackson, NJ.

6-foot-3, 215–225 lbs; bats/throws left.

High school: Jackson Memorial High School (NJ). Highly regarded prospect (Perfect Game No. 9 LHP nationally, top-ranked lefty in New Jersey; MLB.com top-160 overall for the 2022 draft).

Senior year (2022): 1.07 ERA, 130 strikeouts in 65.1 IP.

MaxPreps First-Team All-America, Mr. Shore Baseball, First-Team All-State.

College path: Auburn (2023–24) → Texas Tech (2025) → Troy (2026). He was a multi-inning reliever/fireman in his best season and helped Troy reach its first College World Series.

29 apps (1 start); key multi-inning reliever; Sun Belt/Gainesville Regional All-Tournament

His senior year at Troy was a clear breakout: career highs in wins, innings, and strikeouts while serving as a trusted bullpen piece on a CWS team. He closed out a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts against Ole Miss in Omaha.

Crotchfelt uses a three-pitch mix and works primarily from a three-quarters arm slot with a loose, easy arm action, good extension, and some crossfire that adds deception (though it can affect command at times). He hides the ball well.

Four-seam fastball: Sits 93–94 mph and touches 97. Thrown heavily (~72% of the time as a reliever). Features solid carry, modest run/rising life; most effective up in the zone. Generates solid whiffs and chase rates despite high usage.

Changeup: Mid-80s (low-to-mid 80s). Occasionally shows quality depth but can lack movement or be telegraphed by a slowed arm action. Missed bats at a solid ~34% rate in 2026.

Curveball: High-70s (mid-to-high 70s). Can flash sharp 11-5 bite; otherwise more of a floating offering. Also posted ~34% miss rate in 2026.

As a primarily relief arm, he leans heavily on the fastball. Secondaries remain developmental for a college senior but provide enough separation to prevent hitters from sitting solely on the heater.

In summary, Crotchfelt is a hard-throwing lefty with a strong senior-year performance in a multi-inning relief role. He has pro upside as a power-armed bullpen piece, though refining command and secondary consistency will be key in the Mets system.