Position: IF
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 152 lbs
Bats/Throws: B/R
Born: 03/02/2004
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2021
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
Zapata signed as an infielder who had a chance to stay at short, but he’s increasingly played mainly second and third. He’s bulked up some since he signed — the listed weight seems unlikely — and he hit for good gap power in 2022, but the power disappeared in 2023. He doesn’t have great speed, but he has very good plate discipline.
2021-23
In his DSL debut, Zapata showed very good strike zone judgment, but otherwise didn’t hit much, with no power at all. He split his time between short and third, with a little time at second. The Pirates sent him back to the DSL in 2022 and he had a very good year, with significantly more power, batting 287/369/427. He finished among the league leaders in doubles. He played third, short and second, in that order of frequency.
In the FCL in 2023, Zapata divided his time between second and third, not starting any games at short. He hit for average and his plate discipline was outstanding — 25 walks and 17 strikeouts — but his ISO was just .058.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2021: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.