Yankees MLB Draft 2017: Yankees select Kyle Zurak from Radford University with the 242nd pick of the eighth round

The Yankees selected yet another pitcher in the eighth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, taking RHP Kyle Zurak from Radford University. Zurak is 22-years-old and stands at 6'0", weighing in at 205 pounds.

Credit: www.radfordathletics.com

Zurak is a right hander from East Amherst, NY. He attended Radford University in Virginia for four years where he worked as both a starter and a reliever, although most of his work came in relief. For his career at Radford Zurak pitched to a 3.77 ERA in 120.1 IP, allowing 113 hits and issuing 60 walks. He made all but four of his 77 total appearances for Radford in relief, with his four starts coming in the 2017 season.

From year to year, Zurak's numbers jumped around quite a bit. In his freshman and junior seasons he posted an ERA over five, while in his Sophomore and Senior seasons he posted an ERA under thre. The 2017 was his best, posting an ERA of 2.40 in 60 IP while making four starts but also amassing nine saves. 

Zurak throws a fastball that sits in the mid 90s and a hard breaking ball as well. The lack of a third offering would seem to indicate that his future is in the bullpen but you never know. The fact that he has starting experience is a good thing. Although it is unclear whether or not the Yankees will use Zurak as a starter or a reliever, it is clear they got themselves a versatile player who used all four of his seasons at Radford to grow and mature and finish his college career on a high note. 

Article by Matt Graziano

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