Zack
Gelof

2021 MLB Draft: Gelof is a super-athletic, 6-foot-3, 215-pound third baseman who relies on pure strength to put a charge into the ball. Without a pure stroke, timing is everything for him. He swings more with his shoulders and pulls off the ball, lending to his pull approach. He's susceptible to stuff on the outer half, though he has shown he can manage the strike zone and done nothing but put up big numbers in Charlottesville as a career .316/.396/.478 hitter.

Without a pure stroke, timing is everything for Gelof. And on-time he was, crushing a long home run to left field by turning around a 90 mph middle-cut fastball in the 5th inning of Friday’s opener. A pull hitter, the super athletic 6-foot-3, 215-pound third baseman relies on pure strength to put a charge into the ball. He swings more with his shoulders and pulls off the ball. He does not stay behind the ball and hit through it very well. Anything on the outer half he just leaves or has nothing but his hands left to swing at the pitch. However, he has managed to hit for average since he showed up in Charlottesville posting a .313/.377/.396 slash as a freshman, then following it up with a loud four-week campaign in the shortened 2020 season, hitting .349/.469/.746 with five homers, six doubles and 18 RBIs in just 63 at-bats. His offensive numbers are down slightly this spring, but the draft likes prospects with strong history and Gelof has it. He projects to be a 2nd to early 3rd round pick, but with a large shortage of college bats this season, middle of the 2nd (top 50 picks) is not out of the question. For me he slots in just behind sweet-swinging infielder Cody Morissette of Boston College.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds and looks every bit of it. Strong frame, especially through the chest and shoulders. Very good athlete for his size and moves well at third base. Arm strength is the main question as to whether or not he can stay at third base, but overall has the athleticism and feet to stay at third. Was 1-4 on the night with a double down the left field line. Hit the double on a 85 mph fastball that was middle middle off of a short relief left hander. First two at bats, Gelof flew out to right field and then grounded out to second base. I thought approach in his first two at bats was solid, but looked just out of time during both at bats. Both were elevated fastballs off of a RHP that was mainly 89-92 and flashed some 93’s and 94’s. Sets up with a wider athletic base, small leg lift, and short stride forward. Short and direct to contact, quick hands at the plate, and above average bat speed. Right now the swing is more line drive and gap to gap, but Gelof has the hand speed and strength to produce more power out of the swing. (Burton)

Gelof has hit for average since he showed up in Charlottesville, but he slugged just .396 as a freshman, then added about 10 pounds of muscle before his sophomore year. The hard work in the weight room paid off, as the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Gelof put together a loud four-week campaign in the shortened 2020 season, hitting .349/.469/.746 with five homers, six doubles and 18 RBIs in just 63 at-bats. He more than doubled his freshman-year homer total (two, accrued over 227 at-bats). Then Gelof kept mashing in the Coastal Plain League this summer, hitting .364 with three homers and 19 RBIs in 44 at-bats. His righthanded power bat is his calling card. With a wide base, minimal stride and low hand position, Gelof relies on his pure strength to put a charge into the ball. He has some swing-and-miss tendencies and can be vulnerable against good righthanded sliders, but he nonetheless has shown enough feel for the barrel to project him to be at least an average hitter with plus power. Though he’s not a quick-twitch athlete, he makes all the routine plays at third base, where his arm strength plays fine. Gelof has earned comparisons to Todd Frazier for his body type and righthanded stroke, and he stands a solid chance to follow in Frazier’s footsteps as a first-rounder next spring.

Gelof has filled out his frame growing into a 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. Has created a simple approach at the plate with a short, quick bat at the plate with a middle approach and occasional pop. Shows nice rhythm at the plate with average lower half and has chance to get more involvement there. He shows athletic actions in the infield with quick hands, clean exchange and life on his throws across the diamond. On the mound Gelof has continued to develop there as well, getting lower half involvement with a loose athletic arm action and creating fast arm speed pitching with regular effort.  Been up to 87 mph. Gelof has true two way potential at the next level.

Zack Gelof is a 6-foot-1 175-pound athletic SS/RHP.  A legitimate two-way talent, Gelof showed athletic actions with soft hands, fluid footwork, and a quick exchange.  His infield velocity was 82 mph and his throws were accurate and consistent from his high ¾ arm slot.  Offensively, he hit from an athletic stance and showed a short swing with quick hands to the ball and a smooth load.  His exit velocity was 81 mph and he ran a 7.09 60 time indoors.  On the mound, Gelof showed smooth rhythm with a quick arm speed and good sink on his fastball that sat at 82 mph. He threw from a high ¾ arm slot and showed a late action power breaking ball.  He had a free and easy arm action and is a very projectable pitcher.  Gelof overall shows to be a solid two-way prospect and great talent in the 2018 class.