MLB Draft Preview: OF Zach Jancarski

Max Marcilla 2017 Draft Preview

Zach Jancarski – OF

Ht: 6’0″        Wt: 185        Year: Jr.       Bats/Throws: R/R

Hometown (HS): East Norriton, Pa. (Chestnut Hill Academy)

2017 Stats

G: 58  Slash Line: .325/.434/.453      HR: 3     RBI: 26     SB: 20    K-rate: 11.7 %     BB-rate: 11.7 %

Background: Zach Jancarski started his career in College Park as a reserve player and a go-to pinch runner. After a freshman season in which he scored nine runs and pinch ran 16 times — including twice in the Big Ten Tournament — Jancarski turned from a catalyst on the basepaths to a catalyst atop the lineup.

Junior Zach Jancarski singles. (Hannah Evans/Maryland Baseball Network)

In April 2016, Jancarski became a staple in the Terrapin lineup as a full-time center fielder. The right-handed hitter posted a .257 average with six RBIs, four doubles, a home run and 19 runs scored. He also stole five bases, a sign of things to come.

After a productive summer, in which he hit .288 and stole 20 bases in 38 games as a member of the Sanford Mariners, Jancarski elevated his game yet again. In a breakout junior year, Jancarski hit .325 with a team-leading 50 runs, 17 doubles and 20 stolen bases. A leadoff hitter, Jancarski evolved into one of the most efficient run-producers in the Maryland lineup. 

Outlook: In his first full season as a starter, Jancarski proved that he can be an asset with the bat, on-base and defensively in center field. Because of his ability to work the count and make contact (33 walks, 33 strikeouts), he fits atop the lineup as a prototypical leadoff hitter. While his 66.7 percent success rate on the basepaths leaves some to be desired, there is no question he has speed to burn and can evolve into a more effective base stealer.

As a junior with only one full season under his belt, Jancarski does have a limited track record, which will most likely limit his stock in this draft to the middle rounds. D1Baseball.com’s Frankie Piliere told Maryland Baseball Network that because of the prevalence of quality seniors in the early rounds of the draft, many teams will likely want to see how he develops after another season. “I think people will take sort of a ‘let’s wait and see’ type of approach on a guy like [Jancarski],” he said.

While projected as a mid-round pick in this draft, if Jancarski returned for his senior year, he would instantly be one of the Terrapins’ best offensive weapons. Should he put up similar offensive numbers next year to those that he posted in 2017, he would elevate his draft stock significantly and have a shot at being taken in the earlier rounds of the 2018 MLB Draft.