Tom Gorzelanny

American baseball player (born 1982)

Thomas Stephen Gorzelanny (born July 12, 1982) is a former American professional baseball pitcher who is currently the pitching coach for the minor league Amarillo Sod Poodles. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians.

Tom Gorzelanny was born to Susan and Bob Gorzelanny in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and grew up in Chicago and Oak Forest, Illinois. He graduated from Marist High School in 2000.

Gorzelanny was drafted in the 38th round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox but chose to play college baseball rather than immediately pursuing a professional career. He redshirted in his first year at University of Kansas and posted 3–7 record with a 5.90 earned run average as a freshman with the Kansas Jayhawks. He transferred to Triton College and was drafted in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gorzelanny began his career in with the Double A Altoona Curve. He made his Major League debut with the Pirates in September, starting against the Houston Astros and pitching 4 1/3 innings, receiving the loss. Gorzelanny earned a regular spot in the rotation in the season. He was one of five players in the National League that would be chosen from a final fan vote for the last spot on the NL roster for the 2007 MLB All Star Game. Gorzelanny went on to compile a 14–10 season for the Pirates, leading the Pirates in wins and finishing with over 200 innings and an ERA of 3.88. On June 26, 2010, Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced that Zambrano would move back to the bullpen, and Gorzelanny would regain a spot in the Cubs rotation. Even after Zambrano made his second return to the rotation after undergoing anger management therapy, Gorzelanny kept his spot in the rotation. In 29 appearances, including 23 starts, in 2010, he was 7–9 with a 4.09 ERA. On May 28, 2011, Gorzelanny was placed on the 15 day disabled list with left elbow inflammation. After coming off the DL, he was less consistent and was removed from the rotation, and was used in long relief out of the bullpen. He started in 15 games for the Nationals and pitched in 15 more in 2011, compiling a 4–6 record and a 4.03 ERA. In 45 appearances in 2012, 44 of them out of the bullpen, Gorzelanny was 4–2 with a 2.88 ERA over 72 innings. The deal became official on December 21, 2012. As of the 2013 All Star Break, Gorzelanny was having the best season of his career, statistically speaking. He entered the break with a 1.88 ERA in 35 appearances, three of them starts.

On January 6, 2015, Gorzelanny signed a one year contract with the Detroit Tigers. He was designated for assignment by the Tigers on July 3. Gorzelanny gave up 17 runs on 32 hits over 24 innings, walking 15 and striking out 19. Opponents batted .390 on balls put in play. On July 8, he was outrighted to the Triple A Toledo Mud Hens.

Gorzelanny signed a minor league contract, that included an invitation to major league spring training, with the Cleveland Indians in December 2015. He opened the 2016 season with the Columbus Clippers, and was promoted to the major leagues on June 1. He was designated for assignment on July 4 and subsequently outrighted to Columbus on July 8. On July 9, Gorzelanny declined the outright assignment and became a free agent.

On July 24, 2016, the Baltimore Orioles signed Gorzelanny to a minor league contract. He was released on August 13, 2016.

On February 3, 2017, Gorzelanny signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization. Gorzelanny made 9 appearances split between the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Mets, High–A St. Lucie Mets, and Triple–A Las Vegas 51s, accumulating a 7.04 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 1 save in 7 2/3 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.

On January 28, 2019, Gorzelanny was named pitching coach of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team and remained there until 2022. He joined the Arizona Diamondbacks' farm system not long after.

Gorzelanny features five pitches: a four seam fastball (89–92), a two seam fastball (89–92), a changeup (84–86), a slider (79–82), and a curveball (78–81). Right handed hitters see mostly a combination of the two seamer and changeup, while left handers see a mix of all of his pitches except the changeup.

Gorzelanny and his wife, Lindsey, welcomed their first child, a son named Gavin, on May 21, 2010. and their second son named Connor, on September 9, 2013.