Mark Zagunis

Mark Zagunis
Chicago Cubs
Outfielder
Born: (1993-02-05) February 5, 1993
Willingboro Township, New Jersey
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Mark Raymond Zagunis (born February 5, 1993) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs' organization. Prior to his professional career, Zagunis attended Virginia Tech and played college baseball for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Career

Born in Willingboro Township, New Jersey,[1] Zagunis grew up in Cinnaminson Township, New Jersey and attended Holy Cross High School in Delran Township, New Jersey.[2] He played for the school's baseball team as a catcher,[3] and as the quarterback for the school's American football team.[4] He was not selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft out of high school. Zagunis enrolled at Virginia Tech to play college baseball for the Virginia Tech Hokies baseball team. As a freshman, Zagunis was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference's (ACC) Second Team, and a Freshman All-American.[5] In his junior year, he batted .330 with two home runs and 39 RBI in 53 games. He was named to the All-ACC's Second Team and was a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award, given to the best catcher in college baseball.[6][7]

The Chicago Cubs selected Zagunis in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft.[8] He signed with the Cubs,[9] receiving a $615,000 signing bonus.[10][11] Zagunis began his professional career with the Arizona Cubs of the Rookie-level Arizona League, before he was promoted to the Boise Hawks of the Rookie-level Pioneer League. With the Hawks, the Cubs deployed Zagunis as a left fielder in addition to catcher.[10] He hit for the cycle for Boise on July 14.[12] The Cubs promoted him to the Kane County Cougars of the Class A Midwest League to finish the season. In 2015, the Cubs assigned Zagunis to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. The Cubs had Zagunis focus exclusively on playing in the outfield, and Zagunis was named a Carolina League All-Star at midseason.[13]

Zagunis began the 2016 season with the Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League, and earned a promotion to the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in June.[14] He finished the 2016 season batting .288 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI's.[15]

Personal life

Zagunis' father, Mark, played college baseball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights baseball team.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Mark Zagunis, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed June 18, 2015.
  2. ↑ Bellano, Anthony. "Chicago Cubs Sign Cinnaminson's Mark Zagunis; Zagunis, a Holy Cross High School graduate, was drafted No. 78 by the Cubs on June 6.", Cinnaminson Patch, June 26, 214. Accessed June 18, 2015. "Cinnaminson resident and Holy Cross High School graduate Mark Zagunis signed his first professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs this week, the Burlington County Times reports."
  3. ↑ "A catcher with all the tools, plus speed". philly-archives. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Cubs pick college catcher Mark Zagunis with 3rd pick". chicagonow.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Virginia Tech catcher hopes to be steal in draft". www.roanoke.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Cubs sign 2014 third-round pick Mark Zagunis". CSN Chicago. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Cubs sign catcher Mark Zagunis, third-round selection from 2014 Draft". Chicago Cubs. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  8. ↑ Kevin Minnick, @cp_varsity (June 6, 2014). "Cinnaminson's Zagunis selected by Cubs in MLB draft". Courier-Post. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Baseball: Zagunis signs first professional contract". Burlington County Times. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell news by Idaho Statesman". idahostatesman.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Cubs ink catcher Zagunis, their third-round pick". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ Ryan Larrondo, KTVB (July 15, 2014). "Zagunis lifts the Hawks over the Indians while hitting for the cycle". KTVB. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Catching Up With Cubs Top Prospect Mark Zagunis". chicagonow.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=657145#/career/R/hitting/2016/ALL

External links

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