CLEVELAND, Ohio – Zach Plesac has had an impressive start to his Indians career. The 24-year-old picked up his first big league win on Friday night in his first start at Progressive Field.
Plesac is the third pitcher in Indians history to allow two runs or fewer in each of his first three career starts, joining Jeanmar Gomez in 2010 and Cody Anderson in 2015.
He carries himself like an experienced veteran and it’s translated to the field.
Plesac is calm, cool and collected during the most intense moments on the mound. The Yankees scored the first run of the game in the second inning on Friday night. It seemed like things were starting to unravel for the young right-hander. New York had runners on the corners with just one out. Gio Urshela grounded out to Plesac, who wisely tagged out the lead runner at third base. Then, he got Brett Gardner to ground out to end the inning.
This is the same kid who kept pace with David Price at Fenway Park in his first career start. He's been unflappable, despite having every reason to waiver. He only made three starts in Triple-A before the Indians promoted him.
“Being able to bring the same energy in a positive way every single day and over the course of time you’re going to grow,” he said. “You set yourself up to continually bring that energy and that consistency. Growing up my parents kind of taught me that with my dad being my coach when I was young and there’s was always a little more pressure when you’re the coaches kid growing up too.”
Plesac wasn’t always calm on the baseball field. It was something he learned in Little League. His dad and coach taught him a valuable lesson.
Plesac got out in his third at-bat. He already had two hits, but was upset that he didn’t get a third. He threw his gloves down and was throwing a tantrum like 10-year-olds do.
“Me, trying to be a perfectionist, being young, I get out and I think I did something wrong,” he said. “My dad told me to go sit in the bleachers because ‘you’re not going to play the game if you’re going to act like that.’ And so then I had to go sit up in the bleachers and watch all my friends play in the game.”
That’s something that parents and coaches may threaten with, but not many would actually follow through. Plesac was forced to watch the rest of the game from the bleachers. His teammates got a kick out of the situation.
“They were all making fun of me,” he said. “They were all laughing at me in the stands. I’m crying sitting next to my mom. And she was there supporting what my dad was saying because he was right. I had to learn that way and it’s just one of those life lessons you get taught when you’re young.”
Fast-forward to 2019 and Plesac is grateful for the decision his dad made. He learned how to respond to failure, which is something that happens quite often to pitchers.
He also learned how to respond to success. He won his first game on Friday night, which should call for a celebration. He didn’t go to the club or bar to celebrate.
Plesac went back to the hotel, ate a pepperoni pizza with his little brother and watched Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He thinks it would be “pretty cool” to see Toronto win a championship, but admits he’s not a fan of either team.
Zach Plesac got his first big league win against the Yankees, following in his uncle Dan’s footsteps #Indians pic.twitter.com/15QKgYJxeA
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) June 8, 2019Plesac made his first start for Triple-A Columbus on May 11, pitching six shutout innings and allowing four hits. He was in Boston 17 days later making his first start for the Indians.
“I would’ve never expected it to happen this quickly,” he said. “I’ve prepared to be in this moment, so leading up to this, I’m just going to trust my preparation and continue to work everyday, continue to look for growth and continue to learn.”
Plesac has been a bright spot for the Indians, who have been a roller coaster this season. He’s been impressive in some tough spots against the Red Sox and the Yankees. He’s focused on improving, despite the stellar beginning to his Major League career.
“Today I was back to work, getting ready for my next start.”
If it doesn’t go well, don’t expect him to be throwing his glove. He learned that lesson a long time ago.
