Zachery Michael Pop (born September 20, 1996) is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays.
Career
Amateur
Pop attended Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 23rd round of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign and played college baseball at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Pop was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round, with the 220th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He signed and made his professional debut with the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, pitching five scoreless innings. In 2018, Pop began the year with the Single-A Great Lakes Loons before being promoted to the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Baltimore Orioles
On July 18, 2018, Pop was traded to the Baltimore Orioles along with Breyvic Valera, Dean Kremer, Yusniel Diaz, and Rylan Bannon in exchange for Manny Machado. He was assigned to the Double-A Bowie Baysox and finished the season there. In 44 relief appearances between Great Lakes, Rancho Cucamonga, and Bowie, Pop compiled a 2–3 record with a 1.53 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He returned to Bowie to begin 2019, and went 1–0 with a 0.84 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 10+2⁄3 innings. On May 14, 2019, Pop underwent Tommy John surgery, and missed the remainder of the season. Pop did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miami Marlins
On December 10, 2020, Pop was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Rule 5 Draft. Shortly after, Pop was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Tyler Jones. Pop made the Marlins' Opening Day roster. On April 3, 2021, Pop made his MLB debut, pitching a scoreless inning of relief against the Tampa Bay Rays. He made 50 appearances for the Marlins during his rookie campaign, posting a 1-0 record and 4.12 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 54+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Pop pitched in 18 games for Miami during the 2022 season, registering as 2-0 record and 3.60 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 20 innings of work.
Toronto Blue Jays
On August 2, 2022, the Marlins traded Pop, Anthony Bass, and a player to be named later (named Edward Duran on August 31) to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for prospect Jordan Groshans. He made 17 relief outings for Toronto down the stretch, posting a 2-0 record and 1.89 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 19 innings of work.
Pop made the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster in 2023. In 15 games for Toronto, he struggled to a 6.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 13+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Pop was optioned to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons to begin the 2024 season. He made 58 appearances out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays during the campaign, compiling a 2-4 record and 5.59 ERA with 33 strikeouts and one save across 48+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Pop was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on March 27, 2025. He was released by the Blue Jays organization on April 2.
Seattle Mariners
On April 16, 2025, Pop signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.