Zech Zinicola

Zech Zinicola
Sugar Land Skeeters – No. 20
Pitcher
Born: (1985-03-02) March 2, 1985
Loma Linda, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Zechry John Zinicola (born March 2, 1985) is an American professional baseball player for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Career

Zinicola attended Arlington High School in Riverside, California.[1] The Atlanta Braves draftged Zinicola out of high school in the 43rd round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft, but Zinicola did not sign with the Braves.[2] He then enrolled at Arizona State University, where he played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team. He led the Sun Devils in saves in his last two college seasons.[3]

The Washington Nationals selected Zinicola in the sixth round, with the 181st overall selection, of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft.[4] He signed with the Nationals, receiving a $147,500 signing bonus. In his debut season, Zinicola was named the Nationals' minor league pitcher of the year.[4] He struggled in 2007, his second year as a professional, but was promoted to the Harrisburg Senators of the Class AA Eastern League in 2008.[4]

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Zinicola from the Nationals in the Rule 5 draft after the 2009 season. The player had to stay on the MLB roster for the entire season, otherwise he can be offered to the original team for $25,000. On March 17, 2010, Zinicola was offered to the Washington Nationals, who decided they wanted Zinicola and paid the Blue Jays $25,000.[5] Zinicola has been assigned to the Syracuse Chiefs. Zincola received a 50-game suspension at the start of the 2012 season for the second violation of the Minor League drug policy. He reportedly tested positive for a "drug of abuse", which Zinicola identified as synthetic marijuana.[2][6]

Zinicola signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on March 23, 2016.

References

  1. Bresnahan, Mike (2003-03-17). "Zinicola Homecoming a Boon for Arlington - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
  2. 1 2 Wild, Danny (2012-01-01). "Chiefs' Zinicola suspended 50 games | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
  3. Winston, Lisa. "Harrisburg's Zinicola has eye on D.C". Milb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
  4. 1 2 3 "Zinicola's promotion is a relief". Fredericksburg.com. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
  5. Kilgore, Adam. "Nationals Journal - Zech Zinicola returned to Nationals". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
  6. "Duo Suspended". Baseballamerica.com. 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
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