Zac Thornton

Active

New York Mets · SP

Age 246' 3" · 170 lbsThrows Left

#377 Current#473 Preseason

FBaseball Overview

This 24-year-old right-hander brings intriguing upside as a rookie starter for the Mets after earning SAL Pitcher of the Month honors last season, though his early 2026 results show he's still adjusting to the MLB level with a 4.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through limited action. Thornton's strikeout potential is evident—he's already accumulated 10 Ks in just 10.1 innings—suggesting he could provide solid K production if he settles into a consistent rotation role. The primary risk is his command consistency at the big-league level, as his early WHIP indicates some wildness, but as a young starter with proven minor-league success, he represents the kind of lottery ticket upside that deep dynasty and keeper leagues should monitor closely. Fantasy managers should wait for more clarity on his role and performance stability before investing heavily, though his elite strikeout stuff makes him worth stashing if innings become available.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2026	New York Mets	15	15	5	6	0	3.42	1.14	63	84.1	18
Career	Totals	15	15	5	6	0	3.42	1.14	63	84.1	18

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2024	2 teams▼	20	12	5	4	1	4.10	1.40	54	68	18
2025	2 teams▼	14	14	6	2	0	1.98	0.81	78	72.2	11
2026	2 teams▼	14	13	1	5	0	4.02	1.36	65	62.2	27
Career	Totals	48	39	12	11	1	3.32	1.18	197	203.1	56

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
7	7	39.0	2-3	0	4.15	1.18	34	5

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
15	15	84.1	5-6	0	3.42	1.14	63	18

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo92.3 mph

Avg Spin2350 rpm

Whiff %17.8%

K %18.7%

BB %5.3%

Hard Hit %41.1%

Barrel %9.5%

xERA4.51

xBA Against0.261

xSLG Against0.444

BA Against0.248

SLG Against0.420

GB%38.3%

FB%30.8%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2026

New York Mets

3.42

1.14

84.1

Career

Totals

3.42

1.14

84.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2024

2 teams▼

4.10

1.40

2025

2 teams▼

1.98

0.81

72.2

2026

2 teams▼

4.02

1.36

62.2

Career

Totals

3.32

1.18

197

203.1

W-L

ERA

WHIP

39.0

2-3

4.15

1.18

W-L

ERA

WHIP

84.1

5-6

3.42

1.14