'Speechless' Brzykcy realizes MLB dream

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato's Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The 2020 MLB Draft came and went without right-hander Zach Brzykcy hearing his name called. However, he did end up signing with the team as an undrafted free agent on July 1. Four years later, Brzykcy's name echoed throughout Nationals Park as he ran out of the bullpen to make his Major League debut on Sunday.

Brzykcy (the Nationals’ No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline) was promoted from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday when rosters expanded to 28 for September.

“Speechless,” Brzykcy, 25, said shortly after arriving to the Nationals' clubhouse that morning. “I’m kind of a quiet guy, so I didn’t even know what to think. I internalized it and I was just mind blown. I’ve been working since I was 4 [years old] to be here, and I’m here. It’s just been surreal. No words to describe the feeling. Just out of the world. Incredible.”

Although Brzykcy played college baseball in neighboring Virginia at Virginia Tech, the road to Washington, D.C., was winding. He quickly ascended three levels from High-A Wilmington to Triple-A during the 2022 season, and he came into camp the following year looking to make an impression. But his Spring Training was cut short by Tommy John surgery. He did not pitch in 2023.

“[That made this] way more meaningful,” Brzykcy said. “It made me appreciate being healthy, appreciate baseball to a whole other level that I didn’t know was possible.”

Brzykcy spent this year grinding through his recovery. He completed his rehab assignment on July 1, and he advanced to Rochester on Aug. 13, 2024. In his last seven appearances with the Red Wings, Brzykcy posted a 1.13 ERA and a .115 opponents’ batting average. He earned his big league callup with a 2.04 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings this season in the Minors.

“Being undrafted, with everything he’s been through, it’s a testament of who he is,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He’s worked really hard, and not just because of the Tommy John, but before that. He took nothing for granted. This guy really worked hard to become better. I’ve seen him before, and he’s got that back-end-of-the-bullpen mentality, he just wants to get people out.”

Brzykcy received his first call out of the 'pen in the ninth inning on Sunday against the Cubs. After allowing five runs off three hits and two walks and recording a strikeout, he appreciated the full scope of the afternoon.

“A lot of emotions,” Brzykcy said. “I’m very, very happy -- got a strikeout, which is awesome. It didn’t go exactly how I wanted it to, but it’s a debut, to say the least. Not many people have that opportunity. I’m just happy that I was here and it happened. Everyone was here that I love -- friends, family, girlfriend -- everyone was here to make it special. It was one of the best days of my life, without a doubt.”

Brzykcy was looking forward to this two-city road trip to Miami and Pittsburgh to continue getting adjusted to the Majors and soaking in this new chapter in his baseball journey.

“From a baseball side, [I want] just a clean inning. I don’t care, I can have no strikeouts – just no walks, a clean inning, 1-2-3,” Brzykcy said. “[I’m excited] to travel and see the cathedrals that [the ballparks] are. I’ve heard too many stories from people, from friends and they’re like, ‘You’ll never understand until you’re there just to see what it’s like.’”