/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50242549/Kowalczyk.0.0.jpeg)
Earlier this summer, Pitt's baseball team had five players selected in the 2016 MLB Draft. All five signed with their new teams and while it's early, they are off to good starts.
After a game in Rookie Ball, first-rounder T.J. Zeuch is now with Toronto Blue Jays' low A team in Vancouver. He's already drawn early comparisons to Roy Halladay and so far, has mostly lived up to the hype. On the season, Zeuch has made four starts and has a 1.50 ERA striking out eight in 12 innings. Toronto is understandably breaking him in slowly and he's mostly been limited to a few innings per start.
Offensively, Chicago White Sox 28th Round selection Aaron Schnurbusch is the hottest right now. The outfielder is batting .395 and already has two home runs, 20 runs batted in, and four triples in only 119 at bats.
35th Round Pick Nick Yarnall is doing well for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Rookie League, too. In 79 at bats, he is hitting .304 with a .404 on base percentage, and has three doubles, two triples, and a home run so far.
Then there are teammates Charles LeBlanc and Alex Kowalczyk, both playing for the Texas Rangers' Spokane club (short season). Both are under .300, but hitting in the upper .200s (LeBlanc at .273 and Kowalczyk at .282) and each has their first home run already.
Again, it's really early here and we're talking about low levels in the minor leagues. But so far, so good.
Be sure to join Cardiac Hill's Facebook page and follow us on Twitter@PittPantherBlog for our regular updates on Pitt athletics. Follow the author and founder/editor @AnsonWhaley.