The New York Yankees selected former Penfield Patriot Gage Ziehl in the fourth round (119th overall pick) of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Previously chosen by Chicago Cubs in the 11th round (334th overall selection) of the 2021 draft, Ziehl joins Jason Kanzler (2013) and Fred Ludwig (1985) as Penfield alums also to be chosen in the draft.
A First Team All-ACC performer at the University of Miami, Ziehl finished with a 5-3 record and two complete games this past Spring, including a 15-strikeout performance against nationally-ranked Clemson. He logged 100 innings over 15 starts and compiled an ERA of 3.87 and 89 strikeouts.
The 2021 Prep Baseball Report NYS Player of the Year and Section V Class AA Player of the Year posted a 5-0 record and a save in leading Penfield to its first sectional title since 2012. Ziehl struck out 91 of the 135 batters he faced this season. He allowed one run on 10 hits and seven walks to finish with an ERA of 0.17. Opposing batters hit .079 against him. At the plate, he hit .438 with eight extra-base hits including five home runs. He had an on-base percentage of .554 and OPS of 1.273.
The right-hander pitched 120 innings during his varsity career at Penfield. He struck out 202 batters while walking 27 and allowing 85 hits. He finished with an ERA of 0.875.
Ziehl joins Ben Cowles (Newark) as Section V products recently taken by the Bronx Bombers. Cowles, taken in the 10th round of the 2021 draft out of the University of Maryland, currently plays with the Somerset Patriots, the Yankees Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League.
Kanzler, then at the University of Buffalo, was a 20th round selection of the Minnesota Twins. The centerfielder went on to play three years in the Twins’ system.
The Baltimore Orioles chose Ludwig in the 29th round of the 1985 draft. The right-hander threw three years with the Orioles reaching as high as Class A with Newark then of the New York-Penn League.
Penfield’s Pat Urckfitz signed a free agent deal with Houston in 2008. The former MCC Tribune spent eight years in the minors including parts of four seasons in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
To view the complete list of former Section V players chosen in the MLB Draft click HERE.
Gage signed at 10:00 this morning in Tampa. Its official!