Zack Littell

Zack Littell

29-Year-Old PitcherSP
Tampa Bay Rays
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Littell was a rarity on the Rays roster in 2024; a pitcher who did not spend most of the season injured. Littell logged 29 starts and 156.1 innings of effective if not boring production. Littell's blueprint for success is getting ahead early in the count and forcing batters to expand their zones to protect with his splitters and sliders. How often do you see a starting pitcher whose fastball is his tertiary pitch? Fifty-eight percent of what Littell threw to batters last season was a slider or a splitter but the kitchen sink approach is what it is because he lacks a dominant pitch. The splitter is the only pitch with a whiff rate over 30 percent while none of his pitches had a batting average against below .240. Littell will not hurt you with walks, but home runs are always at risk with his lack of stuff. This is a back of the rotation starter, both for real baseball as well as fantasy baseball. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
#376
ADP
$Signed a one-year, $5.72 million with the Rays in January of 2025.
Records fourth victory
PTampa Bay Rays
May 26, 2025
Littell (4-5) earned the win over Minnesota on Monday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out four batters over 6.1 innings.
ANALYSIS
Littell cruised through six scoreless frames, giving up just three hits -- all singles -- during that span. He was lifted after hitting Ty France with a pitch with one out in the seventh despite being at only 72 pitches, and Littell was charged with a run when Carlos Correa brought France home on a two-run long ball off reliever Garrett Cleavinger. Nonetheless, Littell finished with his seventh quality start of the campaign, which is tied for 11th-most in the majors. A few clunkers early in the campaign have kept his ERA at a modest 3.97, but Littell hasn't given up more than three runs in an outing over his past eight starts and has a 2.96 ERA during that span. His next start is projected to be a road matchup against Houston this weekend.
Read More News
Pitching Stats
Loading Pitching Stats...
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2025 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
2024 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
2023 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
2022 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
2021 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
2020 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
2019 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
2018 MLB Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
Sorare
Loading Pitching Game Log...
Minor League Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Minor League Pitching Game Log...
Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
86
Last 10 Games
86
Last 5 Games
87
How many pitches does Zack Littell generally throw?
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
What part of the game does Zack Littell generally pitch?
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-6%
BAA vs LHP
2025
 
 
-7%
BAA vs RHP
2024
 
 
-4%
BAA vs LHP
2023
 
 
-19%
BAA vs LHP
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2023vs Left .253 651 131 33 155 37 2 24
Since 2023vs Right .269 644 126 20 164 23 1 25
2025vs Left .260 106 17 5 26 6 0 6
2025vs Right .241 154 25 5 35 5 0 8
2024vs Left .261 362 73 20 89 20 1 12
2024vs Right .271 294 68 11 75 9 1 10
2023vs Left .233 183 41 8 40 11 1 6
2023vs Right .287 196 33 4 54 9 0 7
More Splits View More Split Stats
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-19%
ERA at Home
2025
 
 
-10%
ERA at Home
2024
 
 
-36%
ERA at Home
2023
 
 
-8%
ERA on Road
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2023Home 3.44 1.11 162.1 6 10 0 8.1 1.5 1.4
Since 2023Away 4.27 1.28 149.2 9 11 0 6.7 1.6 1.4
2025Home 3.78 1.14 33.1 1 3 0 8.4 1.4 1.6
2025Away 4.18 1.02 32.1 3 2 0 3.1 1.4 2.2
2024Home 2.90 1.08 87.0 4 5 0 8.3 1.9 1.1
2024Away 4.54 1.46 69.1 4 5 0 7.9 1.7 1.4
2023Home 4.29 1.14 42.0 1 2 0 7.5 0.9 1.7
2023Away 3.94 1.21 48.0 2 4 0 7.3 1.5 0.9
More Splits View More Split Stats
Stat Review
How does Zack Littell compare to other starting pitchers?
This section compares his stats with all starting pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 120 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • K/BB
    Strikeout to walk ratio.
  • K/9
    Average strikeouts per nine innings.
  • BB/9
    Average walks per nine innings.
  • HR/9
    Average home runs allowed per nine innings.
  • Fastball
    Average fastball velocity.
  • ERA
    Earned run average. The average earned runs allowed per nine innings.
  • WHIP
    Walks plus hits per inning pitched.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits.
  • GB/FB
    Groundball to flyball ratio. The higher the number, the more likely a pitcher is to induce groundballs.
  • Left On Base
    The percentage of base runners that a pitcher strands on base over the course of a season.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Barrels/BBE
    The percentage of batted ball events resulting in a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Spin Rate
    Spin Rate is the rate of spin on a baseball after it is released. It is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
  • Balls Hit 95+ MPH
    The percentage of batted balls hit that met or exceeded the 95 MPH threshold.
  • Swinging Strike
    The percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss.
K/BB
4.20
 
K/9
5.8
 
BB/9
1.4
 
HR/9
1.9
 
Fastball
91.7 mph
 
ERA
3.97
 
WHIP
1.08
 
BABIP
.247
 
GB/FB
1.00
 
Left On Base
81.7%
 
Exit Velocity
83.6 mph
 
Barrels/BBE
7.9%
 
Spin Rate
1825 rpm
 
Balls Hit 95+ MPH
28.1%
 
Swinging Strike
8.8%
 
Advanced Pitching Stats
Loading Advanced Pitching Stats...
Defensive Stats
Loading MLB Defensive Stats...
Stats Vs Today's Lineup
Want more matchup stats?
Loading Matchup Stats...
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Zack Littell See More
Collette Calls: Where Are the Wins?
3 days ago
Starting pitchers continue to lag in the win column compared to previous decades. Which pitchers do we expect to win more games going forward?
MLB DFS Picks: DraftKings Top Plays and Strategy for Monday, May 26
4 days ago
The top MLB DFS options on DraftKings for Memorial Day include Aaron Judge as the New York Yankees look to take down the Los Angeles Angels.
AL FAAB Factor: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
5 days ago
Injuries create opportunities, and Boston Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer is one of a number of players joining the American League talent pool this week looking to take advantage.
Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top Pitchers This Week
6 days ago
It's a slightly lighter week for pitchers on two scheduled appearances, so be sure to lock those starters in your lineups.
MLB DFS Pitcher & Team Stacks Guide for Tuesday, May 20
10 days ago
Ryan Pohle dives into team stacks and pitchers for Tuesday's MLB slate, including Jesus Luzardo in a matchup against the struggling Rockies.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2022
2020
2019
Littell spent time in three different organizations last season and finished it in the Rays' rotation. Just four of the right-hander's 145 career appearances in the majors coming into 2023 came as a starter, so the role change came as a surprise. Even more surprising is that it worked quite well, with Littell collecting a 3.38 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 47:5 K:BB over 64 innings covering 11 starts after moving into the rotation full-time in late July. The Rays had Littell cut back on his four-seamer usage, up his two-seamer usage and begin incorporating a sweeper. Mostly, though, it seems as though they helped him with his mechanics which allowed him to suddenly turn into an elite strike-thrower. Littell would seem to have earned an early leg up on a rotation spot for 2024, but the organization he's in and potential workload concerns might point to more of a swingman role.
Littell was happy to turn the page from an extremely small sample in 2020, when he surrendered five home runs in only 6.1 innings of work. In contrast, Littell recorded a 2.92 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 61.1 frames in 2021. Part of that success can be attributed to increased velocity, as he averaged 95 mph on his fastball for the first time in his career. In turn, he posted a career-best 13.3% swinging-strike rate and 25 K%. Perhaps most importantly, Littell was able to keep the ball in the yard in 2021 (1.0 HR/9), something that has caused him problems in past seasons and could continue to be an issue due to his relatively heavy flyball lean. Looking ahead to 2022, Littell is unlikely to join the closer mix without significant injuries and struggles to others in the Giants' bullpen. Nevertheless, he has proven capable of turning in solid ratios with some strikeouts and could be relevant in NL-only leagues as well as deeper mixed leagues that reward holds.
Littell improved in his second season with the Twins and could carve out a steady role in the Minnesota bullpen. The 2013 11th-round draft pick -- now with his third organization -- found success at Triple-A and was productive in the majors as well with more of a strikeout punch than he showed in his 2018 stint. He had a 3.71 ERA and 25.7 K% at Triple-A Rochester. That success had him shuttled up and down from Triple-A to add depth to Minnesota's bullpen before he closed out the season in the majors in September. With the Twins, he improved his velocity (93.8 mph average fastball), reduced his walks (6.2%) and kept the ball in the park (0.97 HR/9). He'll need to improve his strikeout rate in the majors to be an impact reliever. Continued progress could lead to a steady role in middle relief.
Littell was a lightly-regarded 11th-round draft pick on his third organization before finding success at Triple-A with the Twins last season, which resulted in a late-season promotion to the majors. He had a 3.57 ERA and decent 8.3 K/9 at Triple-A. Littell struggled in the majors with a 6.20 ERA and just a 6.2 K/9. He has had command issues in the minors (3.4 BB/9 at Triple-A) and those issues were magnified in the majors (4.9 BB/9). He generates some groundballs (43.7%) and has average velocity (91.9 mph), but isn't outstanding enough in any area to project much upside. He'll likely just add rotation depth at Triple-A or work in low-leverage spots out of the bullpen, where he could add a couple ticks to his fastball.
More Fantasy News
Fans six in no-decision
PTampa Bay Rays
May 20, 2025
Littell came away with a no-decision against the Astros on Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out six over five innings. He did not issue a walk.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Earns third win
PTampa Bay Rays
May 15, 2025
Littell (3-5) allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over 7.1 innings to earn the win Thursday over the Blue Jays.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Delivers another quality start
PTampa Bay Rays
May 10, 2025
Littell came away with a no-decision in Friday's 4-3 win over the Brewers, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Hangs on for win Saturday
PTampa Bay Rays
May 3, 2025
Littell (2-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Yankees, allowing two runs on three hits over seven innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Picks up first win of 2025
PTampa Bay Rays
April 28, 2025
Littell (1-5) got the win over the Padres on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out a batter in five innings.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Deadline deal incoming?
PTampa Bay Rays
July 30, 2024
Joel Sherman of the New York Post labeled Littell as the remaining Rays player most likely to be traded ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.
ANALYSIS
Tampa Bay has already traded away a good chunk of its roster over the past couple weeks, but it may not be finished on deadline day. Little has been a serviceable starter this year with a 4.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 105:22 K:BB across 114 innings. He's also under team control for 2025 and would likely bring a decent return, given the current market.
See All MLB Rumors