SAN ANGELO – Jason Zgardowski has signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies which makes him the sixth Angelo State baseball player to sign a Major League Baseball contract and gives him an opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream.
Zgardowski, who had one year of eligibility remaining to pitch for the Rams, signed his professional free agent contract and will report to Clearwater, Florida on Saturday for rookie ball. He will join the
Gulf Coast League Phillies who are the
Rookie Level minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
"It's a really exciting time knowing that a dream is coming true because of the hard work and dedication you've put into it," Zgardowski said. "I slept on it, prayed about it and talked to my family about the decision of signing or coming back to Angelo State. My family was really supportive and told me to go with my heart. They are all behind my decision and believe in me."
Zgardowski turned in a strong season for the Rams in his one season at ASU after starting his collegiate career at Midland College. A 6-foot-5, right-handed pitcher from San Antonio (Madison HS), Zgardowski led the Rams with 72 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings of work during the 2013 season and earned second-team Lone Star Conference honors. He finished the season with a 3.79 ERA and limited opponents to a .253 batting average and also recorded three saves.
"I think the coaching I got from coach (Kevin) Brooks, (John) Anderson and (Travis) Lawler really gave me more versatility as a pitcher," Zgardowski said. "I found the love for the game again. There were some times before I got to Angelo that I felt like I wasn't enjoying it anymore. They helped remind me of how fun the game is and how strong of a pitcher I can be if I put my mind to it."
Following the season with the Rams and going undrafted, Zgardowski pitched this summer for the Alexandria Blue Anchors in the Northwoods League. He increased his velocity throughout the summer and has been consistently throwing 94-95 mph and was selected to pitch in the Big League Dreams Showcase game last week in Madison, Wisconsin. The showcase for the top 100 players in the collegiate summer league gave him exposure to a Phillies scout who was at the game and approached him about signing the professional contract.
"He is a tireless worker and really improved last season for us and throughout this summer pitching in the Northwoods League," ASU head coach
Kevin Brooks said. "His velocity has continued to increase. His slider and split-finger fastball has really improved as he's worked on them. I think this is a great opportunity for him and his family. We're disappointed that we won't have the opportunity to be around him and have him on our team next season, but we are really excited for him."
Zgardowski started 13 games during his junior season and appeared in 18 games. He recorded a single-game high 11 strikeouts against Eastern New Mexico in a complete-game (7 IP) win at Foster Field. His final appearance for the Rams was an eight-inning, 134-pitch no decision against West Texas A&M at the LSC Championships where he limited the Buffs to three runs and recorded five strikeouts. He also had two nine-strikeout performances against Colorado School of Mines and Cameron. By signing the professional contract, Zgardowski forgoes his senior season. He said his choice to sign was made difficult because of his positive experience at ASU and the relationships he developed with his teammates and coaching staff.
"Leaving the guys behind at ASU is going to be hard because I am so close to all of them," said Zgardowski, who was a two-time LSC Pitcher of the Week last season. "We built great friendships and were all there for a purpose. I wish them all nothing but the best next year and know that they'll have a great team that can bring home a national championship."
Zgardowski joins Ronnie Gaines (Chicago White Sox), Clay Calfee (Los Angeles Dodgers) Tommy Rafferty (Tampa Bay), Zach Stewart (Boston) and Shan Sullivan (Los Angeles Dodgers) who have signed MLB contracts.
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