Former Cavalier Zack Gelof Shows Promise in Strong MLB Series Debut

Gelof went 4 for 12 at the plate with two RBI and three runs scored and was steady in the field in his first Major League Baseball series

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Former Virginia baseball star Zack Gelof made his MLB debut this weekend for the Oakland Athletics. Although the team struggles continued for the A's, who were swept by the Minnesota Twins to maintain their place as the worst team in baseball, Gelof proved to be the definition of a bright spot this weekend as he delivered a strong performance at the plate and in the field in his first Major League Baseball series. 

With his family in attendance, including his younger brother Jake Gelof, who was just drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week, Zack Gelof recorded his first career hit in the bottom of the third inning on Friday with an opposite-field blast that nearly went out for a home run, but bounced off the wall and Gelof reached second with an RBI double. 

✅ First @MLB hit
✅ First big league RBI
✅ Make your family proud pic.twitter.com/Xb0l7o0m78

— Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 15, 2023

In game 2 on Saturday, Gelof hit a triple in the bottom of the third and went on to score a run. Later in the game, he reached base on a fielder's choice and scored a second run to tie the game at 7-7. 

Zack Gelof had the first hit off Pablo López today, a triple to lead off the third. He crossed the plate on Nick Allen's groundout. The #Athletics still trail 6-1 after three. pic.twitter.com/F6Kxkz340b

— Sonja Chen 陈星雅 (@SonjaMChen) July 16, 2023

In the series finale on Sunday, Gelof moved up to bat second in the batting order and hit a leadoff single to start the fourth inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Gelof added an RBI double to notch his first multi-hit game. 

For the series, Gelof had a hit in every game and went 4 for 12 (.333) with two doubles, a triple, two RBI, and three runs scored. In the field, Gelof started each of the three games at second base and recorded seven putouts, committed zero errors, and turned four double plays. Not bad for your first series in the big leagues. 

Blessed!! 😁 pic.twitter.com/vHCb14W2uq

— Zack Gelof (@ZackGelof) July 17, 2023

Zack Gelof is the 55th player in Virginia baseball history to make his MLB debut, with 31 of those Cavaliers coming from UVA during the Brian O'Connor era. 

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