T. J. Zeuch | |||
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Toronto Blue Jays | |||
Pitcher | |||
Born: Mason, Ohio |
August 1, 1995 |||
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Timothy James Zeuch (born August 1, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He played college baseball for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and was drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He is ranked 7th on Major League Baseball's 2017 Top 30 Blue Jays prospects list.
Zeuch attended Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 31st round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and attended the University of Pittsburgh to play college baseball.
As a freshman at Pittsburgh in 2014, Zeuch appeared in 15 games and made nine starts. He pitched to a 2–6 win–loss record with a 2.75 earned run average (ERA) and 41 strikeouts. As a sophomore, he started 14 games, going 5–6 with a 3.87 ERA and 90 strikeouts. Zeuch missed the first month of his junior year due to a strained groin. He finished the year with a 6–1 record, 3.10 ERA, and 74 strikeouts in 69 2⁄3 innings.
Zeuch was considered a top prospect heading into the 2016 draft, and was selected 21st overall by the Toronto Blue Jays. He signed with the Blue Jays on June 17 for $2.175 million, and was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays. Zeuch made his professional debut on July 9, striking out 2 and not allowing a baserunner in three innings, before being promoted to the Short Season-A Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League on July 13. On August 29, Zeuch was promoted to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts. He finished the season with a combined 0–2 record, 4.50 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched.