Zachary Ryan Short Bio
Zachary Ryan Short is an American professional baseball infielder who currently plays in the New York Yankees organization. Born on May 29, 1995, in Kingston, New York, Short has built a career as a versatile defensive player across Major League Baseball. He has appeared at the major league level with the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros. Known for his defensive versatility, Short has logged time at multiple infield positions throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Short grew up in Kingston, New York, where he attended Kingston High School. During his high school career, he co-captained the varsity baseball team to the 2012 New York State Class AA championship, the first such title in the school’s history. This achievement marked him as a notable prospect in New York prep baseball circles.
Following his graduation from Kingston High School, Short continued his baseball career at Sacred Heart University. He played for the Sacred Heart Pioneers college baseball team, developing his skills as an infielder. In the summer of 2015, Short played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the United States.
Path to Professional Baseball
Short’s performance at Sacred Heart and during his Cape Cod Baseball League stint caught the attention of professional scouts. The Chicago Cubs selected him in the 17th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. After signing with the Cubs organization, Short began his professional career in the minor leagues, playing for both the Arizona League Cubs and the Eugene Emeralds in his debut season.
In his first professional season, Short demonstrated solid contact ability, batting .257 with one home run and 31 RBIs in 53 games across both affiliates. He continued to develop over the next several seasons, advancing through the Cubs’ minor league system while establishing his reputation as a defensive-minded infielder capable of playing multiple positions.
Zachary Ryan Short Career
Chicago Cubs Minor League Years (2016–2019)
Short spent his first professional seasons climbing through the Cubs’ farm system. In 2017 with the South Bend Cubs and Myrtle Beach Pelicans, he posted a combined .250 batting average with an on-base percentage of .383 and a slugging percentage of .419. He hit 13 home runs, drove in 47 runs, and stole 18 bases in 131 games, showcasing his combination of power and speed.
The 2018 season saw Short advance to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he appeared in 124 games and hit .227 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs. He continued his development defensively, gaining experience at multiple infield positions. Following the 2019 season, the Cubs added Short to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.
Detroit Tigers Breakthrough (2021–2023)
On August 31, 2020, the Cubs traded Short to the Detroit Tigers for Cameron Maybin. Though he did not play in 2020 due to the minor league season’s cancellation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Short’s opportunity arrived in April 2021. On April 21, 2021, the Tigers promoted Short to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that day as the starting third baseman against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Short recorded his first MLB hit on April 23, 2021, a single against Kansas City Royals starter Mike Minor. On June 26, 2021, he hit his first MLB home run, a two-run shot off Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez. He finished his rookie season with a .141 batting average in 61 games played.
In 2022, Short spent the majority of the season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, where he played 128 games and hit .229/.355/.373 with 11 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. He appeared in just six major league contests that year. The 2023 season saw Short play 112 games with the Tigers, batting .204/.292/.339 with career highs in home runs with seven, RBIs with 33, and stolen bases with five.
Stint with New York Mets and Boston Red Sox (2024)
On November 6, 2023, the New York Mets claimed Short off waivers. He made the Mets’ Opening Day roster in 2024, but his time in New York was brief. In 10 appearances for the Mets, he went 1-for-9 at the plate with two walks. On April 26, 2024, the Mets designated Short for assignment.
On May 1, 2024, the Mets traded Short to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. He appeared in just two games for Boston, going 0-for-7 at bat, before the Red Sox designated him for assignment on May 8.
Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros (2024–2025)
The Red Sox traded Short to the Atlanta Braves on May 9, 2024. He made his Braves debut against the New York Mets on May 12. Short played 30 games with Atlanta, batting .148/.313/.204 with five RBIs. The Braves designated him for assignment on July 25, and he cleared waivers before being sent outright to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.
On January 7, 2025, Short signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization. With the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he batted .211/.356/.402 with 12 home runs and 35 RBIs in 73 appearances. The Astros selected his contract on July 2, 2025, adding him to their active roster. In 22 games with Houston, Short batted .220/.291/.380 with two home runs and seven RBIs before being designated for assignment on August 1.
New York Yankees Organization (2025–Present)
Following his time with the Astros, Short signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on December 12, 2025. This move brought him back to his home state of New York. Short continues to serve as a versatile defensive option and organizational depth player as he enters the 2026 season.
Defensive Versatility and Playing Style
Throughout his career, Short has established himself as a reliable defensive infielder capable of playing multiple positions. His ability to slot in at third base, shortstop, and second base has made him a valuable asset for organizations seeking versatile bench players. His defensive range and hands have drawn praise from coaches and teammates throughout his minor and major league career.
Notable Career Moments
Short’s career has been marked by several memorable moments, including his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in April 2021 and his first major league home run later that season. His journey through multiple organizations demonstrates his resilience and ability to bounce back after being designated for assignment, a common occurrence for players on the margins of major league rosters.
Zachary Ryan Short Career Statistics
Across parts of five MLB seasons, Short has established modest but consistent offensive numbers while contributing primarily as a defensive substitute and pinch-runner. His career has featured numerous Triple-A seasons where he posted solid numbers while awaiting his next major league opportunity.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Short has appeared in approximately 225 major league games spanning his time with the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros. He has demonstrated gap power and selectivity at the plate, with his best work coming in limited appearances. His most productive major league season came in 2023 with Detroit, where he set career highs in home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases while playing over 100 games.
Minor League Performance
Short has consistently performed well at the Triple-A level throughout his career. His best minor league seasons include his 2017 campaign with South Bend and Myrtle Beach, where he combined to hit 13 home runs with 47 RBIs, and his 2022 season with Toledo, where he posted a .355 on-base percentage while driving in 60 runs.
| Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 225 | .171 | 15 | 69 |
| Triple-A Toledo (2022) | 128 | .229 | 11 | 60 |
Zachary Ryan Short Family
Family Background and Upbringing
Short grew up in Kingston, New York, where his baseball achievements at Kingston High School laid the foundation for his professional career. His success in leading the Kingston High School baseball team to its first-ever New York State Class AA championship in 2012 remains a notable highlight of his amateur career.
Personal Life
Short continues to maintain connections to his New York roots. He attended Kingston High School and went on to play college baseball at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. He remains active on social media, connecting with fans through his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Short as he moved to the Houston Astros organization on a minor league deal. He opened the season with Triple-A Sugar Land, where he demonstrated his continued ability to hit for power and get on base at the minor league level. His 12 home runs and 35 RBIs in 73 games with the Space Cowboys earned him a mid-season call-up to the major league roster in July.
Short’s time with the Astros saw him serve primarily as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner, roles that utilized his speed and positional flexibility. While his offensive numbers in 22 games with Houston were modest, his veteran presence and defensive versatility provided value to the organization down the stretch. The Astros’ decision to designate him for assignment in August was followed by his clearance of waivers and outright assignment to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Following the 2025 season, Short elected free agency before signing with the New York Yankees, returning to his home state and joining an organization seeking depth at the infield positions. His outlook for 2026 and beyond remains tied to his ability to continue providing value as a defensive specialist and organizational utility player at the major league level.