Free Agent Pitcher Zack Littell Finally Signs Deal

After another sneaky good season in 2025, right-hander and free agent pitcher Zack Littell has finally found a home for 2026, with a surprise late signing with the Washington Nationals.

RHP Zack Littell and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a contact, sources tell me and @JeffPassan.

Littell threw 186.2 innings last season with a 3.81 ERA for the Rays and Reds.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 8, 2026

Littell, 30, has had two and a half under-the-radar solid seasons as a starter, splitting last year with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds, posting a 3.81 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and a 130:32 strikeout to walk ratio in 32 starts. The year before, all with the Rays, he was even better, with a 3.63 ERA in 29 starts, and a 141:31 K/BB ratio.

How has Littell been turned into a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm?

He features great control, with pinpoint command and a five-pitch mix. He was in the 98th percentile in walk rate last year, issuing free passes to only 4.5% of batters faced.

Littell started his career as a middle reliever for five+ years, and it wasn't until the Rays turned him into a full-time starter midway through 2023 that he really took off. He changed his arsenal, generated far more swings, and posted a 3.57 ERA in the second half of that season as a starter. There's been no looking back since.

He'll shore up the top end of the Nats' rotation, and slot right in behind Cade Cavalli. He needs to ramp up to game-readiness, however, due to his late start. We'll have to see if he'll be ready to open the season in the rotation.