Holy Cross Graduate Mark Zagunis Got...
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Holy Cross Graduate Mark Zagunis Got His First Major League Experience
Mark Zagunis got a brief taste of Major League baseball and the Holy Cross High graduate is looking to return. Either way, it has been a remarkable journey for the 24-year-old outfielder who grew up in Cinnaminson.
Zagunis was a third-round draft pick, No. 78 overall of the Chicago Cubs in 2014. MLB.com reported that his signing bonus at the time was $615,000. He was a standout catcher at Virginia Tech, but the Cubs have converted him into an outfielder.
On June 22, Zagunis, who was also a quarterback at Holy Cross, earned his first Major League promotion when the Cubs recalled him from Triple-A Iowa and sent struggling outfielder Kyle Schwarber to the minors.
The move didn’t last long. Zagunis was sent back down to Iowa on July 1 when Ben Zobrist, who had an injured wrist, was activated by the Cubs.
In his brief time, Zagunis didn’t get a hit in 14 at-bats with the Cubs. He did have two stolen bases and one RBI, along with four walks.
Zagunis is known for his patient approach at the plate. In the beginning of the week he stood 10th in the Pacific Coast League with a .399 on base percentage.
This season for Iowa, he entered the week batting .253 with 16 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs and 38 RBI.
Zagunis wasn’t drafted out of high school and he enjoyed an outstanding three seasons at Virginia Tech.
As a junior in 2014 he batted .330 with 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 39 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .426 on base percentage in 53 games.
That season he was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team for the second time in his career.
During his three-year college career he batted .338 with 16 home runs, 124 RBI, 52 stolen bases, a .430 on base percentage and a .925 OPS (on base plus slugging percentage).
Zagunis was still a catcher in his first minor league season, but he also played left and right field. He was with three different minor league teams in 2014.
He spent the entire 2015 season with advanced Single-A Myrtle Beach, where he played all three outfield positions and batted .271 with 8 home runs, 54 RBI and a .406 on base percentage.
In 2016 he played for the Double A Tennessee Smokies and Iowa.
He played at Iowa all season in 2017 before being recalled by the Cubs.
Zagunis’ patience at the plate is something the Cubs value. He entered the week with a career .401 minor league on base percentage.
Now he has to be patient waiting for his next chance to be recalled by the defending World Series champions.
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Author: Marc Narducci
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