Clay Zavada #35

Graduated from Streator High School, where he was team MVP and first-team All-Illinois...played baseball at Illinois Valley Community College and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville...was named the 2009 Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year.

2011

Began the season on Reno's disabled list recovering from May 2010 left elbow surgery...was reinstated on 4/14, then was transfered to Mobile and spent the season there.

2010

Opened the season with Triple-A Reno and appeared in 5 games before being placed on the disabled list with left elbow inflammation on May 7 for the remainder of the season...also on the disabled list from April 10-22 with a left elbow strain...Had Tommy John surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. on May 18.

2009

Made the jump from Double-A Mobile to the Majors in mid-May and remained with the D-backs for the rest of the season, his first in the big leagues...In 49 games, went 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA (19 ER in 51.0 IP) in 49 games and allowed 9 of 23 inherited runners (40.9%) to score...In 22 home games, had a 1.21 ERA (3 ER in 22.1 IP) and .203 average (16-for-76)...in 27 road games, had a 5.02 ERA (16 ER in 28.2 IP) and .259 average (29-for-112)...Limited right-handed hitters to a .205 average (24-for-117) with 11 walks and 33 strikeouts while lefties hit .284 (21-for-74) with 13 walks and 19 strikeouts...In 21 games against NL West foes, went 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA (10 ER in 22.0 IP) and .228 opponents average (18-for-79) with 12 walks and 19 strikeouts...Opened his big league career with 19 consecutive games without allowing an earned run (18.0 IP), the longest streak in franchise history and fourth longest in Major League history among relievers since 1954...Earned the win in his big league debut with a perfect ninth inning in a 4-3 win on May 21 @ Marlins...Did not allow an earned run in 17 consecutive home games from May 25-Aug. 29, having allowed 2 unearned runs on July 12 vs. Marlins...Struck out a season-high 3 batters on May 29 vs. Braves and Sept. 19 vs. Rockies...Pitched a career-high 2.2 innings on June 7 @ Padres.

2008

Earned a MiLBY as Minor League Baseball's Class A reliever of the year after posting a 3-1 record and 0.51 ERA in 24 relief appearances at South Bend (A)....held opposing batters to a .056 average (6 hits) in 35.1 innings...After posting a 2-1 record with 4 saves and 22 strikeouts during 15.2 innings in 12 games for the independent Southern Illinois Miners, caught the attention of the D-backs and re-signed with the organization in June...Tossed 2.0 perfect inning when he made his debut for the Silver Hawks on June 21 vs. Western Michigan...Earned his first win of the season on June 23 at Dayton, allowing 1 run and 1 hit and 4 strikeouts in 2.0 innings...Earned his first save of the season on June 29 vs. Great Lakes, tossing a scoreless ninth inning with a walk and 2 strikeouts...Earned the organization's Pitcher of the Month honors after tying for second in the Midwest League with 6 saves in August...Struck out a season-high 5 batters in 2.1 perfect innings on Aug. 27 at Fort Wayne...Did not allow a run to score after June 26, a string of 30.2 innings to end his season...Notched 3 saves in 3 appearances, striking out 5 and allowing 2 hits in the Midwest League playoffs.

2007

Following the death of his father, Clarence, in December 2006, sat out the 2007 season while taking care of his family...honored his father's wishes by earning his bachelor's degree in business from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, graduated in spring 2008...when he returned to the Diamondbacks, his story was featured on Page 1 of the New York Times sports section (12/21/08).