Zack Gelof. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Zack Gelof is making a major impact in the baseball world as a second baseman. Our program has undeniably produced some of the top players in MLB. Let’s take a look at Zack Gelof’s early life and discover how he became the breath of fresh air the Oakland A’s so desperately needed.
For all four of his high school baseball seasons, Zac Gelof participated in every game. Among his many honors are First Team Northeast All-Region, Perfect Game/Rawlings 2018 Honorable Mention All-American, Delaware News Journal First Team All-State Shortstop, and Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year (2018). His two Henlopen Conference Player of the Year honors were earned by him, once as a pitcher and once as a shortstop. He concluded his high school career as Delaware’s all-time leader.
The Cleveland Indians selected Gelof in the 38th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, but he chose not to sign a contract with them. After being selected in Round 38 of the 2018 draft, Gelof decided not to sign with the Cleveland Indians to play at Virginia Cavaliers Baseball. For three seasons, Gelof participated in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) while playing collegiate baseball at the University of Virginia. He participated in Northwoods League play with the Kalamazoo Growlers in the summer of 2019. Gelof is a third baseman who is renowned for his great temperament, stature, power, and speed. In D1Baseball’s 2020 Top-30 Power Rankings, he was rated as the third-best third baseman and selected a Collegiate Baseball Second Team All-American. He participated in the college summer Coastal Plain League as a player for the High Point-Thomasville HiToms following the season. During spring training in 2022, Gelof ran the quickest 30-yard sprint in the A’s farm system. Sadly, his non-throwing shoulder was injured in May as he dived for a ground ball causing him to miss nearly seven weeks of play.
Participating in the A’s spring training in 2023, Gelof started the season as the team’s #3 prospect while playing for Triple-A Las Vegas. On July 13, 2024, Zack Gelof was winging his way to A’s as he was called up to this baseball club reported by MLB and made his big league debut for the Oaklands A’s on July 14 after being formally added to the 40-man roster the following day. On July 22, 2023, he hit his first major league home run against the Houston Astros.
Zack Gelof hit his first major league home run against the Houston Astros.
Arsenal & U. Of Va. grad Zack Gelof hit his first major league home run against the Houston Astros.
In just 22 games, Gelof became the Oakland A’s all-time quickest player to smash six home homers on August 9. Later, he became the fourth rookie from Oakland to record four hits and two home runs in a single game since the team’s 1968 transfer to Oakland. As the only player in the Modern Era to hit eight home runs and steal six bases in his first 25 professional games, Gelof created history. In addition, after 28 games, he became the first player in A’s history to have 20 extra-base hits and 20 runs scored. He became the quickest player in team history to achieve 10 home runs when he hit his tenth home run in his 35th big league game on August 24. He was recognized as the August American League Rookie of the Month for his exceptional play. Standout player for Arsenal and the U of Virginia Zack Gelof, has been on fire ever since the Oakland Athletics called him up mid-season. A 2nd-round pick in 2021, the A’s second baseman is hitting .269 with 10 home runs since the All-Star break!
ZACK GELOF IN HIS 10TH HOMERUN
This 2024 season, he continues to excel in Oakland, going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a stolen base, and two runs scored on June 19, 2024. Zack Gelof’s performance helped extend the Athletics’ lead to a 7-2 win over the Royals.
Insert vid: Zack Gelof smashes a three-run homer
Zack Gelof smashes a three-run homer against the Kansas Royals.