Cubs sign catcher Mark Zagunis, third-round selection from 2014 Draft
CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs have signed third-round selection Mark Zagunis, a catcher out of Virginia Tech University. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Cubs have now signed 21 of their first 22 picks as well as 25 selections overall from the 2014 Draft.
Zagunis, 21, batted .330 (69-for-209) with 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 39 RBI in 53 games for Virginia Tech this season, his junior year. He walked 32 times (compared to 20 strikeouts), which contributed to a .426 on-base percentage, and stole 16 bases. He was named All-ACC Second Team for the second time in his career and was a 2014 Johnny Bench Award semifinalist.
Zagunis posted a .338 (213-for-630) batting average in three seasons at Virginia Tech, recording a .430 on-base percentage thanks in part to 85 walks and only 74 strikeouts. He recorded a .979 fielding percentage (17 E/797 TC) primarily at catcher, but has also seen time in the outfield. With 52 career stolen bases, he is just the second Hokie to record at least 50 stolen bases since the school joined the ACC.
Here is a look at Chicago's selections from the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, with the players currently having signed in bold. Those in bold italics represent new signings:
| Rd. (pick No.) | Player | Pos. | School | Birthday | B | T | Ht. | Wt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (4) | Kyle Schwarber | C | Indiana University | 3/5/93 | L | R | 6-0 | 235 |
| 2 (45) | Jake Stinnett | RHP | University of Maryland | 4/25/92 | R | R | 6-4 | 205 |
| 3 (78) | Mark Zagunis | C | Virginia Tech | 2/5/93 | R | R | 6-0 | 205 |
| 4 (109) | Carson Sands | LHP | North Florida Christian H.S. | 3/28/95 | L | L | 6-3 | 205 |
| 5 (139) | Justin Steele | LHP | George County H.S. (Miss.) | 7/11/95 | L | L | 6-1 | 180 |
| 6 (169) | Dylan Cease | RHP | Milton H.S. (Ga.) | 12/28/95 | R | R | 6-1 | 175 |
| 7 (199) | James Norwood | RHP | St. Louis University (Mo.) | 12/24/93 | R | R | 6-2 | 205 |
| 8 (229) | Tommy Thorpe | LHP | University of Oregon | 9/20/92 | L | L | 6-0 | 195 |
| 9 (259) | James Farris | RHP | University of Arizona | 4/4/92 | R | R | 6-2 | 220 |
| 10 (289) | Ryan Williams | RHP | East Carolina University (N.C.) | 11/1/91 | R | R | 6-4 | 220 |
| 11 (319) | Jordan Brink | RHP | Fresno State (Calif.) | 3/18/93 | L | R | 6-0 | 200 |
| 12 (349) | Tanner Griggs | RHP | Angelina College (Texas) | 6/14/94 | R | R | 6-2 | 175 |
| 13 (379) | Kevonte Mitchell | 3B | Kennett H.S. (Mo.) | 8/12/95 | R | R | 6-4 | 185 |
| 14 (409) | Chesny Young | 2B | Mercer University (Ga.) | 10/6/92 | R | R | 6-1 | 180 |
| 15 (439) | Jeremy Null | RHP | Western Carolina (N.C.) | 9/27/93 | R | R | 6-7 | 225 |
| 16 (469) | Jason Vosler | SS | Northeastern (Mass.) | 9/6/93 | L | R | 6-2 | 195 |
| 17 (499) | Michael Knighton | RHP | Central Alabama C.C. | 4/30/94 | R | R | 6-2 | 190 |
| 18 (529) | Austyn Willis | RHP | Barstow H.S. (Calif.) | 6/13/96 | R | R | 6-6 | 205 |
| 19 (559) | Brad Markey | RHP | Virginia Tech | 3/3/92 | R | R | 5-10 | 185 |
| 20 (589) | John Tomasovich | SS | Charleston Southern Univ. (S.C.) | 11/6/91 | R | R | 6-3 | 185 |
| 21 (619) | Charles White | OF | University of Maryland | 11/13/91 | L | L | 5-9 | 180 |
| 22 (649) | Joey Martarano | 3B | Boise State (Idaho) | 7/28/94 | R | R | 6-4 | 235 |
| 23 (679) | Isiah Gilliam | OF | Parkview H.S. (Ga.) | 7/23/96 | S | R | 6-2 | 215 |
| 24 (709) | Daniel Spingola | CF | Georgia Tech | 5/5/93 | L | L | 6-1 | 180 |
| 25 (739) | Tyler Pearson | C | Texas State University | 4/15/92 | R | R | 6-0 | 200 |
| 26 (769) | Zach Hedges | RHP | Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) | 10/21/92 | R | R | 6-4 | 195 |
| 27 (799) | Calvin Graves | CF | Franklin Pierce University (N.H.) | 3/18/91 | R | R | 5-9 | 170 |
| 28 (829) | Jacob Niggemeyer | RHP | Olentangy Liberty H.S. (Ohio) | 11/30/95 | R | R | 6-5 | 205 |
| 29 (859) | Gianni Zayas | RHP | Seminole State College (Fla.) | 4/18/94 | R | R | 6-2 | 200 |
| 30 (889) | Michael Cantu | C | Foy H. Moody H.S. (Texas) | 8/28/95 | R | R | 6-3 | 225 |
| 31 (919) | Brad Deppermann | RHP | East Lake H.S. (Fla.) | 6/15/96 | R | R | 6-0 | 175 |
| 32 (949) | Andrew Ely | 2B | University of Washington | 1/23/93 | L | R | 5-10 | 180 |
| 33 (979) | Brad Bass | RHP | Lincoln-Way Central H.S. (Ill.) | 2/15/96 | R | R | 6-6 | 215 |
| 34 (1,009) | Steven Kane | RHP | Cypress College (Calif.) | 5/28/93 | R | R | 6-4 | 205 |
| 35 (1,039) | Jordan Minch | LHP | Purdue University (Ind.) | 7/16/93 | L | L | 6-3 | 190 |
| 36 (1,069) | DJ Peters | OF | Glendora H.S. (Calif.) | 12/12/95 | R | R | 6-5 | 210 |
| 37 (1,099) | Riley Adams | C | Canyon Crest Academy (Calif.) | 6/26/96 | R | R | 6-5 | 190 |
| 38 (1,129) | Daniel Wasinger | C | Eastlake H.S. (Texas) | 11/14/95 | R | R | 5-11 | 170 |
| 39 (1,159) | David Petrino | C | Central Arizona College | 1/14/94 | R | R | 5-11 | 200 |
| 40 (1,189) | Diamond Johnson | CF | Hillsborough H.S. (Fla.) | 3/17/96 | R | R | 5-11 | 165 |