Cavaliers Now

Former Cavalier Zack Gelof Called Up by the Oakland Athletics

Gelof is expected to make his Major League Baseball debut for the A's this weekend against the Minnesota Twins

Matt Newton

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Exactly two years to the day after hearing his name called at the MLB Draft, former Virginia baseball player Zack Gelof has been called up the majors by the Oakland Athletics. Gelof, who is currently ranked the No. 3 prospect in Oakland's minor league system, will join the Athletics for their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins and is expected to make his debut this weekend. 

This has been quite a week for the Gelof family, as Zack's younger brother Jake, who just finished his collegiate career as UVA's all-time leader in home runs and RBI, was selected by Boston Red Sox on Sunday with the No. 60 overall pick in the MLB Draft, the same exact draft pick as Zack Gelof two years ago. 

In 137 games playing third base at Virginia, Zack Gelof amassed 174 hits, 91 RBI, 16 home runs, and a career .316 batting average. In his junior season in 2021, Gelof led the ACC with 81 hits and earned an All-ACC Second Team selection as he powered the Cavaliers to the College World Series, where he went 7 for 12 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored in three games. 

Since hearing his name called at the 2021 MLB Draft, Gelof has consistently developed into one of Oakland's top minor league prospects over the last two years and continued to excel this season with the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics. In 69 games in 2023, Gelof has posted 80 hits, 44 RBI, and 12 home runs while batting .304 and has also stolen 20 bases. 

With the Athletics owning the worst record in the MLB at 25-67, the team is making the move to call up some of their top minor league prospects, with Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom - the No. 3 and No. 1 overall prospects in Oakland's system - joining the A's this weekend. Gelof, who has played primarily second base since joining the professional ranks, should be in line to take over as the team's starting second baseman. 

When Zack Gelof makes his MLB debut, he will become the 55th player in Virginia baseball history to appear in an MLB game, with the 31 of those players coming from UVA during the Brian O'Connor era. 

Stay up to date on all the former Virginia athletes playing at the professional level here: Pro Hoos on Sports Illustrated

See more Virginia sports news and content: Virginia Cavaliers on Sports Illustrated

To stay up to date on all Virginia Cavaliers sports news, follow CavaliersNow on social media:

Facebook: @CavaliersNow
Twitter: @CavaliersNowFN

Published
Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

Home/Pro Hoos