Mike Zunino #3

MICHAEL ACCORSI ZUNINO…Mike and his wife, Alyssa, have two children: Rhett and Paisley… Mike’s parents met in Italy while playing in the country’s premier baseball and softball leagues…His father, Greg, was selected by the Yankees in the 1981 Amateur Draft and is a southeast crosschecker for the Reds…His mother, Paola, was a catcher on the Italian national softball team and was born in Bologna, Italy.

2022

Underwent thoracic outlet syndrome decompression surgery on July 28, performed by Dr. Greg Pearl in Dallas…Appeared in 36 games and made 34 starts before going on the 10-day IL on June 10…Made his seventh Opening Day active roster, all starts at catcher (2014-15, 2017, 2019-22)…On May 3 at OAK, hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the ninth inning for the first pinch-hit homer of his career…Was the eighth time in club history a pinch-hitter delivered a game-tying homer in the ninth inning (or later) and fourth on the road.

2021

Won the Don Zimmer Award, given to the club’s Most Valuable Player, based on voting done by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the BBWAA... Was one of three finalists for the AL Silver Slugger Award among catchers, won by KC Salvador Perez... Hit a career-high 33 HR, tying KC Salvador Perez in 2021 and CHW Carlton Fisk in 1985 for third all-time among AL catchers (while playing the position) behind TEX Iván Rodriguez (35) in 1999 and OAK Terry Steinbach (34) in 1996... His 33 HR shattered single-season club records among primary catchers (Travis d’Arnaud, 16 in 2019) and while playing the position (Wilson Ramos, 14 in 2018; John Flaherty, 14 in 1999)... Hit .342/.419/.868 (39-for-114) with 16 HR and 30 RBI vs. LHP…led the majors vs. lefties in slugging pct. and OPS (1.287) and ranked second in on-base pct. behind WSH/LAD Trea Turner (.437) and tied for fourth in homers and ranked fifth in avg... Min. 200 AB, his 10.09 AB/HR ratio led the majors ahead of SF Brandon Belt (11.21)... 45.8 pct. (33 of 72) of his hits were homers, fourth-highest in major league history behind SF Barry Bonds (47.0) in 2001, STL Mark McGwire (51.8) in 2001 and McGwire (46.1) in 1998 (min. 300 PA)…63.9 pct. (46 of 72) of his hits went for extra bases, highest rate in the majors (min. 300 PA)... Joined Brandon Lowe among Rays with at least 30 HR in 2021, the fifth time the Rays had a pair of players with 30 HR and first since Logan Morrison (38) and Steven Souza Jr. (30) in 2017… became the 12th player (17th time) in franchise history to hit at least 30 HR in a single season... His 62 RBI were fifth-fewest in major league history among players with 30 HR (or more), ahead of BAL Cedric Mullins (59) in 2021, CHC Kyle Schwarber (59) in 2017, NYM Curtis Granderson (59) in 2016 and STL Jedd Gyorko (59) in 2016... Made his sixth Opening Day active roster, all starts at catcher (2014-15, 2017, 2019-21)…began the 2018 season on Seattle’s injured list (oblique)... On April 28 vs. OAK, his homer hit the C-ring catwalk, the first catwalk homer since Aug 8, 2020, vs. NYY (Aaron Judge) and first by a Ray since Avisaíl García on Sep 25, 2019, at NYY…was the first catwalk homer of his career; the only other time he hit one was on Aug 19, 2017 (with SEA), a pop-out double play off the B-ring... On May 11 vs. NYY, hit a solo homer that went 472 feet, the second-longest by a Ray in the Statcast era (since 2015) behind Avisaíl García (485) on May 14, 2019 at MIA…it was the longest at Tropicana Field in the Statcast era and tied for the fourth-longest in Tropicana Field history... On May 18 at BAL, hit two-run homers in the third and fifth innings for the eighth multi-HR game of his career, first since Aug 8, 2018, at TEX (with SEA)…became the eighth Rays catcher (13th time) with a multi-HR game, first since Travis d’Arnaud (3) on July 15, 2019, at NYY…recorded another multi-HR game Sep 7 at BOS... Homered in five straight games from Aug 11-17, tying José Canseco from May 16-21, 1999 for the 2nd-longest streak in franchise history behind Carlos Peña (6) from June 6-12, 2010…it was the longest such streak for a catcher since BAL Caleb Joseph (5) from Aug 2-9, 2014 and tied for the 2nd-longest streak by a catcher since Baseball Reference data is available (1901) behind NYG Walker Cooper (6) from June 22-28, 1947.

2020

Appeared in 28 games and made 25 starts, all at catcher, in an injury-shortened season…placed on the 10-day IL (left oblique strain) on Aug 29, retroactive to Aug 26, and reinstated on Sep 20...Recorded 3 HR and 9 RBI in his final 14 games, after 1 HR and 1 RBI in his first 14 games...Struck out in 37 of 84 PA (44.0 pct.), 4th in the majors (min. 50 PA)…the highest rate for a qualified hitter was MIN Miguel Sanó (43.9)...Eight of his 11 hits (72.7 pct.) went for extra bases (4-2B, 4-HR), including eight of nine before hitting a pair of singles in his final start...Hit .045 (1-for-22) against left-handed pitching and his only hit was a 3-run homer on Aug 20 at NYY, off Luis Avilan…hit .189 (10-for-53) with 4 2B, 3 HR and 7 RBI against righties...Hit .250 (3-for-12) with 1 2B, 2 HR and 4 RBI in 5 games (all starts) against the Yankees and .127 (8-for-63) with 3 2B, 2 HR and 5 RBI in 23 games (20 starts) against all other opponents…doubled and homered in separate games off Gerrit Cole...Made his sixth Opening Day roster and fifth active roster, all starts at catcher...On Aug 19-20 at NYY, homered in back-to-back games for the first time since Aug 7-10, 2019 (2)… the second of these was a 3-run homer in the 6th inning, helping the Rays complete a 3-game sweep and take over first place in the division.

POSTSEASON: Hit .170 (9-for-53) with 4 HR and 8 RBI while starting 18 of the club’s 20 games at catcher…his 4 HR tied KC Salvador Perez in 2015, BOS Jason Varitek in 2003, NYM Mike Piazza in 2000 and OAK Gene Tenace in 1972 for the 2nd-most by a catcher (while playing the position) in a single postseason behind CLE Sandy Alomar (5) in 1997. Became the first player in major league history to hit under .150 in the regular season and then hit multiple homers in the postseason...In Game 2 of the Wild Card Series vs. TOR, hit a 2-run homer off Hyun Jin Ryu in the 2nd inning…became the third catcher in franchise history to hit a postseason homer, joining José Lobaton’s walk-off homer in Game 3 of the ALDS vs. BOS and Kelly Shoppach’s multi-HR game in Game 1 of the 2011 ALDS vs. TEX... Homered in Games 2 and 7 of the ALCS vs. HOU, both of Lance McCullers Jr.—and these 2 HR went a combined 884 feet…in Game 7, became the first Rays catcher to homer in a “winner take all” game…became the eighth catcher (9th time) all-time to homer in a Game 7, first since CHC David Ross in the 2016 World Series...After becoming a free agent, re-signed with the Rays on Dec 17 for a one-year, $2 million contract with a club option for 2022.

2019

Hit a career-low .165 (44-for-266) in his seventh major league season, first with the Rays…min. 200 AB, his .165 avg. was the 3rd-lowest in the majors and 2nd-lowest in franchise history…finished ahead of Greg Vaughn (.163) in 2002...Threw out 34.1 pct. (14 of 41) of attempted base stealers, the 3rd-best eraser rate in the majors behind PHI J.T. Realmuto (43.0) and CLE Roberto Pérez (37.0)…his 8 Defensive Runs Saved ranked 3rd among AL catchers, behind Pérez (30) and TOR Danny Jansen (12)...Was on the paternity list, April 19-21…was on the 10-day IL, May 9-30, with a left quad strain...Hit only 9 HR in 266 AB, compared to 20 HR in 373 AB in 2018 and 45 HR in 760 AB in 2017-18...Made his fourth Opening Day active roster, all starts at catcher (2014-15, 2017, 2019)...On April 22 vs. KC, hit a go-ahead homer in the 7th inning, his first with the Rays…it came in his first game back from the paternity list following the birth of his first child, son Rhett Michael…he was the fourth Rays position player to go on the paternity list since it was introduced in 2011 and the second to homer in his first game back...His first 2 HR came in back-to-back games after returning from the paternity list…homered for a third time in 9 games on May 3 at BAL, then went a career-high 25 games without one...On July 13 at BAL (G1), hit his 100th career homer, a solo shot off Jimmy Yacabonis...On Aug 10 at SEA, started against his former team for the first time and tied his season high with 3 RBI, all on a go-ahead, 3-run homer off Tommy Milone in the 5th inning...Was on the Rays roster for both the Wild Card Game at OAK and Division Series against the Astros, but did not play.

2018

Reached the 20 HR plateau for the third time in his career and second consecutive year…10 of his 20 HR went at least 400 feet, according to StatCast, including two at 440 feet or more...Missed time due to a pair of stints on the disabled list…missed the first 17 games of the season with a strained left oblique and 12 games from July 5-21 with a left ankle bone bruise...Named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year at catcher…the award, which honors the top defensive player at each position across the majors, is determined by a combination of traditional defensive stats and advanced metrics...According to FanGraphs, tied for 1st among AL catchers and tied for 2nd among major league catchers with 12 Defensive Runs Saved…among qualifying catchers, ranked 5th in the majors and 3rd in the AL with a .998 fielding pct....Threw out 29.2 pct. (14 of 48) of potential base stealers, 3rd in the AL (min. 100 games)...On May 26 vs. MIN, hit a walk-off homer in the 12th inning off Matt Magill…hit the sign on Edgar's Cantina on the second deck facade… was the third walk-off hit and second walk-off home run of his career...Acquired by the Rays from the Mariners in a five-player trade on Nov 8. 

2017

The Totals - Hit .251 (97x387) with 52 runs, 25 doubles, 25 home runs, 64 RBI, 39 walks, a .331 on-base percentage and a .509 slugging mark in 124 games with Seattle... Tough to Replace - Posted a 3.3 WAR (Baseball-Reference), 2ndhighest among AL catchers, trailing New York's Gary Sanchez (4.1)... Backstop Pop - His 25 home runs ranked 3rd in the Majors among catchers (primary position), trailing Gary Sanchez-NYY (33) and Salvador Perez-KC (27)... Club Leader - Holds the top two single-season home run totals by a Mariners catcher: 25, 2017 and 22, 2014…is the only Mariners catcher to hit at least 20 home runs in a season... 20 / 20 Vision - Recorded his 2nd season with at least 20 doubles and 20 home runs (also: 2014 - 20 2B, 22 HR)…since 2014, is one of 2 catchers with multiple seasons of 20+ doubles and 20+ home runs, joining Kansas City's Salvador Perez (2015-17)... Iron Man - Caught 994.0 innings, 2nd-most in the AL and 6th-most in the Majors... On a Roll - One of 6 players to hit .280+ with 24+ home runs and a .580+ slugging percentage from May 29 - end of the season (min. 330 PA)…joined by Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, J.D. Martinez, Giancarlo Stanton and Joey Votto…during that span, Zunino hit .281 (84x299) with 24 home runs, 61 RBI and a .589 slugging mark in 95 games. • First-Pitch Swinging - Led MLB with a .600 (24x40) average when swinging at the first pitch... Junino - Hit .304 (24x79) with 14 runs, 3 doubles, 10 home runs, 31 RBI, 7 walks, a .371 on-base percentage, a .722 slugging mark and a 1.092 OPS in 24 games…led the Major Leagues in RBI in the month of June…among American League leaders in the month of June, ranked 1st in RBI, 2nd in slugging, T2nd in home runs and 3rd in OPS... More About Junino - Became the 6th AL catcher (done 9x), the 3rd since 1983, to record at least 30 RBI in a single calendar month (last: Joe Mauer-MIN, 32 RBI, May, 2009)… Zunino's 31 RBI in June rank 6th-most in a single calendar month in club history.. 7th Heaven - Collected a career-high 7 RBI, including his first grand slam home run, on June 3 vs. Tampa Bay…marked the 14th time in club history that a Mariner had 7+RBI... 2nd Half Surge - Following the All-Star Break, hit .281 (52x185) with 27 runs, 14 doubles, 13 home runs, 28 RBI, a .376 on-base percentage and a .568 slugging mark in 60 games... Welcome Back - Recalled from AAA Tacoma on May 22…from May 29 - June 23, hit .372 (29x78) with 14 runs, 6 doubles, 9 home runs, 30 RBI, a .419 on-base percentage and a .795 slugging mark in 22 games... That's a Winner - Hit his first career walkoff home run on June 7 vs. Minnesota... September Success - In 23 games in September, hit .338 (24x71) with 13 runs, 5 doubles, 6 home runs, 13 RBI, a .420 onbase percentage and a .662 slugging mark... Tacoma Time - Optioned to AAA Tacoma on May 5, where he hit .293 (12x41) with 7 runs, 2 doubles, 5 home runs and 11 RBI in 12 games

2016

The Totals - Hit .207 (34x164) with 16 runs, 7 doubles, 12 home runs and 31 RBI in 55 games...On Base with Power - Posted a career-best .318 OBP (previous: .290, 2013), while also posting a career-high .470 slugging percentage (previous: .404, 2014)... Walk This Way - Equaled his careerhigh in walks with 21 (also: 2015) despite appearing in 55 games... Slugger - Among AL catchers, ranked 4th in OPS (min. 190 PA) with a mark of .787...Extra, Extra! - 19 of his 34 hits went for extra-bases (7 doubles, 12 home runs).... Safeco Slugger - Hit his first 6 home runs of the season at Safeco Field in his first 7 home games of the year, July 2 - August 5…equaled the club record for home runs in a seven game span at home and became just the 3rd Mariners player to do so at Safeco Field (also: Edgar Martinez, May 7-May 21, 2000 & Kyle Seager: April 23-May 11, 2014)…also joined Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Mariners in club history to hit 6 home runs in his first 7 home games of a season (Griffey accomplished this feat in 1997)...Z Power - Reached base safely via a hit, walk or hit by pitch in 19 consecutive games (with an at-bat), July 30 - August 23…marked the longest such streak of his career... Backstop Pop - Posted his 3rd season with 10+ home runs (2016: 12, 2015: 11 & 2014: 22)…joining Dan Wilson (1996: 18, 1997: 15 & 2001: 10) and Dave Valle (1987: 12, 1988: 10 & 1993: 13) as the only catchers to hit double-digit home runs in 3 seasons with Seattle... Welcome Back - Recalled from AAA Tacoma on June 30 for his first of 2 stints with Seattle...With Tacoma - Began the year with AAA Tacoma…hit .286 (80x280) with 47 runs, 15 doubles, 17 home runs, 57 RBI, a .376 OBP and a .521 slugging percentage in 79 games.... PCL Honors - Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week, April 4/7-17…hit .441 (15x34) with 9 runs, 3 doubles, 4 home runs, 11 RBI & 1 walk in 8 games...Five in a Row - Homered in 5 straight games with the Rainiers, April 13-18, batting .500 with 8 runs, 3 doubles, 6 home runs and 12 RBI.

2015

The Totals - Hit .174 (61x350) with 28 runs, 11 doubles, 11 home runs and 28 RBI in 112 games. ... Double Digits - Hit 11 home runs following Mariners catcher record 22 HR in 2014…5th catcher in Mariners history to post multiple double-digit home runs seasons… joins Dan Wilson (3 seasons: 18 in 1996, 15 in 1997, 10 in 2001), Dave Valle (3 seasons: 12 in 1987, 10 in 1988, 13 in 1993), Miguel Olivo (2 seasons: 19 in 2011, 12 in 2012) and Kenji Johjima (2 seasons: 18 in 2006, 14 in 2007). ... Good Stretch - Hit .361 (13x36) with 5 doubles, 1 home run, 6 RBI during career-high 10-game hitting streak July 20-31. ... Defensively - Appeared in 112 games at catcher, making 101 starts…at time of option to minors (8/28) ranked 3rd in Majors in innings caught (919.2) trailing only Yadier Molina (1009.2) and Salvador Perez (947.1)…threw out 12 of 54 attempted base stealers (22.2%). ... Triple Play - Was part of a triple play July 26 vs. Toronto in the 4th inning (3-6-2-2), the team's 11th triple play turned in franchise history and first since Aug. 9, 2010 vs. Oakland. ... Sacrifice - Tied for 5th in the American League with 8 sacrifice hits. ... Let's Hit Two - Second career multi-home run game May 12 vs. SD (3x4, 2 HR, 3 RBI). ... For His Own Good - Optioned to AAA Tacoma Aug. 28…appeared in 10 games with the Rainiers, hitting .317 (13x41) with 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 8 RBI. ... Instructional - Ended season participating in Mariners instructional camp in Peoria, AZ.

2014

2013

Appeared in 52 games, making 48 starts at catcher…Mariners were 25-23 in his starts. Hit .214 (37x173) with 5 home runs and 14 RBI in 52 games. Hit 2 home runs Sept. 25 vs. Kansas City (2x4, 2 HR, 2 RBI). On disabled list with a fractured hamate bone in his left hand July 26-Sept. 1. Recorded walk-off single in 10th inning June 28 vs. Chicago (NL)… at 22 years and 95 days old, became the third-youngest Mariner with a game-ending RBI, behind Alex Rodriguez (20.248, 3/31/96) and Danny Tartabull (21.317, 9/11/84). Hit first career home run June 14 at Oakland in his second career start. Made MLB debut June 12 vs. Houston…went 1-for-4 with a single off Jordan Lyles.

2012

Made professional debut after being selected third overall in the June draft...combined to bat .360 (58x161) with 35 runs scored, 14 doubles, 13 home runs, 43 RBI and a 1.137 OPS (.689 SLG, .447 OBP) in 44 games with Everett and Jackson...recorded a double in his first pro plate appearance July 14 vs. Tri City...hit .373 (41x110) with 10 doubles and 10 home runs in 29 games for the AquaSox...reached base safely in 26 of 29 games with Everett...three-time Northwest League Player of the Week (July 16-22, July 23-29, Aug. 6-12)...promoted to Jackson on Aug. 12...hit .333 (17x51) with 4 doubles and 3 home runs in 15 games with Jackson...appeared in all 8 playoff games batting .379 (11x29) with 3 home runs and 8 RBI...hit .288 (23x80) with 2 home runs and 15 RBI in 19 games with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League...played in the AFL Rising Stars Game...selected to the MLB.com AFL Top Prospect Team and named by Baseball America as the No. 7 prospect in the league...played his first game of the season Feb. 17 with the University of Florida, and completed Nov. 15 in the Arizona Fall League.