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College  | Story  | 4/8/2021

Scouting Notebook: Virginia

Drew Wesolowski     
Photo: Zack Gelof (Matt Riley/UVA Athletic Media Relations)
College Player Report Database

Previously Featured:
April 1 Notebook: Griff McGarry, Kyle Whitten
April 2 Notebook: Andrew Abbott
April 3 Notebook: Nate Savino, Mike Vasil



Players Covered: Zack Gelof, Kyle Teel, Nic Kent, Chris Newell

What Happened: Virginia entered the series with an in-conference record of 4-11 and were underdogs as they took on, at the time, a top-10 Georgia Tech squad on the road. The first game didn’t go according to plan, but they nearly had a late comeback before losing by a run. They used that momentum from the first game and ended up taking home the last two games of the series, as they are just a game shy of .500 on the season now.

Carrying Tools: Starting Pitching. The pitching staff has been consistent for Virginia. Although the record doesn’t show, Griff McGarry, Andrew Abbott, and Mike Vasil have all be solid. In 104 2/3 innings combined, they have 137 punchouts. It looks as though they still have room to improve, which makes the rotation that much scarier going forward. Once they start to get more run support, you will see that record start to reflect how good the starting three are.

Concerns: Offensive Production. The Hoos will look for more runs to back a solid starting rotation if they are to make a run late in the year. As a team, they are hitting just shy of .240, and on paper, they were expecting more. On a positive note, they did take home the series against Georgia Tech as the bats came alive. A grand slam from Nic Kent ignited a week-long rally that was a glimpse into what this offense is capable of. Timely hitting from Kyle Teel, Zack Gelof, Brendan Rivoli, and Chris Newell will need continue if they are to make a run late in the year.

Best Player on the Field: Zack Gelof. The third baseman was off to a slow start to the season but looks to be changing the narrative with his performances like he had this past weekend. He played a solid hot corner and projects here going forward as he has the arm strength to go with it. The bat is what he is known for and he found plenty of barrels during the action. He accounted for five hits on the weekend, including a long home run to the pull side. Multiple tools on full display throughout the series.

Zack Gelof, 3B, 2021 Eligible

Gelof has been solid this season as he finds himself highly ranked on our draft board. He sports a physical 6-foot-3 frame and has plenty of athleticism to go with it. He plays a solid third base as he made most plays look easy. The arm strength is not going to jump out at you but he is accurate with throws and transfers quickly, guaranteeing outs on ground balls.

He also swung a hot stick, as the right-handed hitter had a slow start to the season but is starting to take form. He brings a confident approach with him to the dish as he is not afraid to go after first-pitch fastballs and has a knack for not chasing out of the zone. He swings a heavy barrel through the zone as it jumps off the bat when he squares it up. Power is also in play here as he launched a no-doubt shot over the left field wall during the weekend series at Georgia Tech for his third home run of the season. Gelof leads his team in hits with 28 and projects to be a solid bat at the next level.

With Gelof being drafted out of high school, it is apparent that he has what it takes to be productive, as he looks to take the next step. When you combine the frame and build with the tools, it is easy to think that he will go Day One in the draft and work his way up the ranks quickly.


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