Player Outlook
Zack 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.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 1595.7 90.0 3 6 74 12 4.10 1.18
2022 78.52 44.3 3 3 1 39 13 5.08 1.38
3y Avg. 131.53.1 65.3 3 3 1 59 16 4.00 1.21
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
38%
Roster
17%
Start

Fantasy News

  • Rays' Zack Littell: Locked into rotation

    Littell is expected to serve as a starter for the entire 2024 season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Littell made the transition from reliever to starter in the middle of the 2023 season, and he managed a 3.41 ERA across 71.1 innings in the latter role. With the Rays down several starters to begin the 2024 campaign, he'll be counted on in the rotation, but the team is also planning on him sticking in a starting role for the entirety of the season. That could change if he falters and either Shane Baz (elbow) or Jeffrey Springs (elbow) can return, but neither is likely to be available until the summer months at the earliest.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Gets used in relief Friday

    Littell didn't factor into the decision Friday during the Rays' 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays, coughing up three runs on three hits and two walks over 1.1 relief innings. He struck out one. Aaron Civale tossed 40 pitches as the starting pitcher and was charged with the loss during a game in which the Rays never led, but both Littell (35 pitches) and Taj Bradley (21 pitches) also saw action out of the bullpen, as manager Kevin Cash wanted to keep all his options open for his playoff rotation while not giving Toronto -- Tampa's likely opponent in the wild-card round -- a good look at any of them. Littell closes the books on a regular season that saw him post a 4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 74:12 K:BB through 90 innings split between the Rays and Red Sox.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Settles for no-decision Saturday

    Littell came away with a no-decision Saturday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in the Rays' 7-6 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out six. The right-hander came one out shy of his third quality start in five September outings, and Littell left the mound in line for his fourth win of the season and first since Aug. 27, only for the Tampa Bay bullpen to cough up the lead in the eighth inning. Littell sports a sharp 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB through 30 innings on the month, and with Saturday's win having locked up a playoff spot for the Rays, he may not be asked to handle a full workload in his final start of the regular season, which lines up for a rematch with the Jays in Toronto next weekend.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Four earned runs in no-decision

    Littell did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Rockies. He struck out six. Littell induced a second-inning popup by Nolan Jones that landed just inside the left-field foul line, resulting in an unfortunate triple due to miscommunication between Tampa's young infield tandem of Osleivis Basabe and Curtis Mead. Jones would score on a sacrifice fly before Michael Toglia hit a solo homer. Littell conceded two more earned runs in the sixth and was on track for the loss before Tampa Bay's offensive explosion in the eighth turned the game into a blowout victory for the Rays. In five starts since joining the rotation July 30, the 27-year-old righty has posted a 3.54 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 21:2 K:BB across 28 innings. Littell is tentatively slated to make his next start at home against the Yankees over the weekend.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Solid again but takes loss

    Littell (2-3) took the loss against St. Louis on Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings. Littell held the Cardinals scoreless through three frames before serving up a two-run homer to Andrew Knizner in the fourth. St. Louis tacked on another run against the right-hander in the sixth, which was enough to send him to his third loss. Despite the defeat, Littell continues to look good in his new role as a traditional starter, tossing his second straight quality start. In three games since moving into the rotation, he's posted a 2.65 ERA and 10:1 K:BB over 17 innings.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Shuts down Tigers

    Littell (2-2) earned the win Friday, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against Detroit. He struck out one. The Rays gave Littell a nice cushion early and he cruised, completing six frames on 74 pitches. It wasn't a dominant performance in terms of whiffs -- Littell induced just five swinging strikes -- but the right-hander was efficient and kept the ball on the ground. With Shane McClanahan moving to the 15-day injured list this week with forearm tightness, Littell would seem to be locked into the rotation as long as he keeps delivering solid performances.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Set to start Friday

    Littell is listed as the Rays' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Littell has already made four starts this season, but on each of the first three occasions, he covered no more than 3.1 innings while operating as more of an opening pitcher. In his most recent start Sunday in Houston, however, Littell covered a season-high five innings, striking out four while allowing two runs on eight hits. Based on the workload he handled, Littell looks like he could be getting stretched out for a more traditional starting role, especially now that Tampa Bay has a spot in the rotation open after Taj Bradley was optioned to Triple-a Durham on Monday. Erasmo Ramirez worked three innings behind Littell on Sunday, so it's possible the two pitchers work in tandem again Thursday if Ramirez isn't needed out of the bullpen Tuesday or Wednesday.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Starting Sunday

    Littell will start Sunday's game against the Astros, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports. The right-hander hasn't pitched since he delivered two scoreless innings last Sunday against Baltimore, and he'll start Tampa Bay's bullpen day in Houston a week later. Littell has covered at least two frames in each of his past four outings, but he shouldn't be expected to last more than once through the order Sunday.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Season-high four strikeouts in loss

    Littell (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits over 3.1 innings against the Rangers. He struck out four. Littell made it through the first two innings unscathed before serving up a leadoff home run to Leody Taveras to open the bottom of the third. That would be the only run allowed by the right-hander on the afternoon as he was later relieved by Jake Diekman after surrendering a one-out double to Jonah Heim in the fourth. Littell has now allowed at least one run in each of his last three outings while his four strikeouts Wednesday marked a season high.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Serving as opener Wednesday

    Littell will serve as the Rays' opener Wednesday against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Wednesday will mark the third time this season Littell has served in an opener role. The 27-year-old righty holds a 6.05 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 19.1 innings this season and will presumably stay in the game for one or two innings before turning things over to the bullpen.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Allows two runs as opener

    Littell did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits over two innings against the Phillies. He struck out two. Littell served as the Rays' opener Wednesday and got off to a good start with a 1-2-3 first inning. However, he would run into trouble in the second after striking out Bryce Harper to open the frame, allowing four consecutive singles as the Phillies tied the game at 2-2. The right-hander was then relieved by Yonny Chirinos to begin the third after seeing his ERA jump up to 5.71 on the season. On a positive note, Littell has now recorded at least two strikeouts in each of his last five appearances (spanning 8.2 innings).
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Draws opener assignment

    Littell is scheduled to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Phillies. Littell will get the opener assignment for the second time in less than a week, after he most recently struck out three over two scoreless frames in his "start" against the Diamondbacks last Thursday. Yonny Chirinos covered six innings behind Littell that day and will presumably work as a bulk reliever once again Wednesday.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Serving as opener

    Littell will serve as an opener Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Littell will take the mound first for Tampa Bay, with Yonny Chirinos slated to cover bulk relief innings. It will be the first opener assignment this season for Littell, who holds a 6.57 ERA and 11:5 K:BB over 12.1 innings covering 10 appearances between the Red Sox and Rays.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: Rehabbing at Triple-A

    Littell (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and has made three appearances thus far, covering two innings and allowing four earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out one batter. Littell is working his way back from a bout with right shoulder inflammation, an issue that resulted in his placement on the 15-day injured list May 24. Before picking up the injury, Littell was a fringe member of the Rays' 40-man roster, so he likely won't be assured a spot in the big-league bullpen once he's formally activated. Littell hasn't helped his cause by having pitched ineffectively thus far during his rehab assignment.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rays' Zack Littell: To IL with shoulder injury

    The Rays placed Littell on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder fatigue, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Littell last pitched Monday and gave up two runs while recording just one out in a 6-4 win over the Blue Jays. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Red Sox's Zack Littell: Loses 40-man spot

    The Red Sox designated Littell for assignment Wednesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Littell has lost his roster spot to James Paxton (hamstring), who was activated from the 15-day injured list in advance of his season debut Friday versus the Cardinals. The 27-year-old allowed three earned runs in three innings (two relief appearances) during his brief stay with Boston.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Red Sox's Zack Littell: Active in big-league bullpen

    Littell's contract was selected from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports. The 27-year-old righty had a 3.82 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 106 innings for the Giants from 2021 through 2022, but he'd been working as a Triple-A reliever for the Rangers prior to getting shipped to Boston for cash. Littell should work in low-leverage spots.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Red Sox's Zack Littell: Traded to Boston

    Littell was acquired by the Red Sox from the Rangers on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Littell has posted a 2.25 ERA and 16:2 K:BB over 12 innings this season at the Triple-A level. He'll report to Triple-A Worcester for now but could get a look with the big club before long.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Rangers' Zack Littell: Signs minor-league deal

    Littell signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports. Littell will be in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee. The 27-year-old was highly effective out of the Giants' bullpen in 2021 before stumbling to a 5.08 ERA in 2022. He should have a decent chance to win a middle-relief role in Texas.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Giants' Zack Littell: Loses spot on 40-man roster

    Littell was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. Littell was sent down in mid-September and will lose his spot on the team's 40-man roster now that the offseason has begun. It's possible that he serves as a non-roster invitee this spring.
    ... See More ... See Less