Valley product Zalewski cautiously optimistic in advance of MLB Draft
Zarley Zalewski takes questions about the MLB Draft like he is up to bat.
He looks at a few pitches, but doesn't swing.
What teams have talked to you?
“A couple, but I'd rather not say which ones.”
But you have worked out for one specific team recently?
“Yes, but I don't want to say who it is.”
The tight-lipped former Valley and Kent State star knows one thing for sure: He is drastically improved since he was drafted by the Pirates in 2012, and believes his draft stock has risen and deserves to be drafted again.
The kid who was named after former Penguins player Zarley Zalapski — how fitting with the Pens chasing their fourth Stanley Cup during draft time — was taken in the 40th round coming out of Valley but decided to take a scholarship to Kent State instead.
How much did the Pirates offer you to sign?
“I'd rather not say,” he said.
Just take your base, Zarley.
With this year's draft looming Thursday through Saturday, Zalewski hopes to get another shot at the bigs. Last year proved to be disappointing when no teams called.
“I'm still not sure why,” he said.
After a career season at Kent State, Zalewski might hear his phone ring this time.
“It has to happen or baseball might be done for me,” he said. “I mean, who knows how the free agent stuff works, and I might end up playing somewhere. We'll see what happens.”
Zalewski led the Golden Flashes, whose season ended in the MAC Tournament, in runs (52) and doubles (19). He was third in batting average (.349), hits (80) and RBIs (58). He hit a career-best five home runs.
He isn't as cryptic when talking about his on-field success.
“I feel like I have made huge strides since the last time I was drafted,” Zalewski said. “I had the most power numbers since I went to college, and I think I have made tremendous strides as a vocal leader, too.”
Zalewski, a former Valley News Dispatch and WPIAL Class AAA player of the year, said he has talked to former Kent State players who went through the draft process. A teammate likely will get a draft call. Some mock drafts have Eric Lauer going in the first round. The junior pitcher carried the lowest ERA in Division I baseball since 1979 with a mark of 0.69 — in 104 innings. Lauer, a left-hander, was the Collegiate Newspaper's National Player of the Year and is a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, baseball's answer to the Heisman Trophy.
“I didn't mind facing him (in practice),” Zalewski said. “And it was great playing for a defense behind one of the best players in the country.”
Kent State did not make the NCAA playoffs despite a 44-14 record (20-4 in the MAC).
Zalewski (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) has seen time at first and third base and as a designated hitter.
“I have worked out in left and right, too,” he said. “I just want to find a place to play. All I want is an opportunity. I am happy with my college career. I did all I could.”
Zalewski graduated last month with a degree in sports administration.
He has worked closely in the offseason with Dave Kirilloff, the father of Plum star Alex Kirilloff, a projected first-round draft pick Thursday.
Bill Beckner Jr. is the local sports editor for the Valley News Dispatch edition of the Tribune-Review. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com.
