Zack Gelof

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #3 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Gelof was a stalwart at Virginia and performed well at the 2021 College World Series. He carried that momentum into his professional career after the Athletics drafted him No. 60 overall and in the second round that summer. Gelof hit so well in his pro debut that Oakland felt comfortable sending him to Triple-A Las Vegas in late September for a brief stint. He performed again in 2022, hitting .270/.352/.463 with 18 homers between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas, though he missed roughly six weeks with a left shoulder injury sustained while diving for a ball.
  
  Scouting Report: Gelof's simple, strength-based swing allows for an abundance of hard contact, and he averaged nearly 90 mph in average exit velocity for the second consecutive season. His power continues to play best to the pull side, though he's capable of shooting balls to right field as well. Gelof is physically strong and has raw power, but his swing is fairly flat and will likely lead to above-average power potential. He has a solid approach but will chase at times and fights a tendency to offer at the first pitch of at-bats. Gelof was a third baseman in college, but he battled arm issues and throwing inconsistency during his draft year. The A's transitioned him more to second base in 2022, where they believe his arm slot is better suited. They also aren't ruling out a potential role in the outfield. Gelof is one of the better runners underway in Oakland's system and he appeared in one game in center field with Midland.
  
  The Future: Gelof needs to fine-tune his approach and aggressiveness, but he is nearly ready for the big leagues and should reach Oakland during the 2023 season. He has a chance to develop into a solid-average regular for the rebuilding A's.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #2 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: No 2021 Athletics draft pick made a stronger first impression than Gelof, who reached Triple-A Las Vegas by the end of 2021 when the A’s needed infield depth. Gelof was a solid performer in college, serving as the leadoff hitter on a Virginia team that reached the 2021 College World Series. He spent most of his pro debut at Low-A Stockton, posting a .941 OPS.
  
  Scouting Report: Gelof is physically strong and flashed plus raw power, mostly to his pull side, in college. The A’s believed he could maintain his all-fields approach but unlock that power more regularly as a professional. So far, that’s proving prescient. Gelof did significant damage in his short time in Stockton, approaching average exit velocities of 90 mph, and hit seven homers in just 32 games. Gelof hunted fastballs in college and struggled at times with breaking balls, an area he’ll have to shore up against more advanced pitching. He’ll also have to prove he can stay at third base. Gelof dealt with an elbow injury while at Virginia that affected his throwing mechanics, although the A’s are confident he can stick at the position. He showed an average arm when making throws on the run, but struggled setting his feet and making throws over the top. He’s an above-average runner and athletic enough to handle a corner outfield position if Oakland opts for a change.
  
  The Future: The A’s believe Gelof has the bat, approach and makeup to jump on the fast track, potentially arriving in Oakland as early as 2023.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #78 prospect in 2021 draft
  Gelof was a talented two-way player at a strong Cape Henlopen program in Lewes, Del., and was the Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018. He made it to Virginia after the Indians drafted him in the 38th round and has been a consistent offensive presence for the Cavaliers since stepping on campus. Gelof hit .300/.380/.464 with eight home runs in 57 games this spring and has a solid all-around tool set to go with his solid track record as a hitter in the ACC. Gelof has above-average raw power, though most of his in-game homers have gone to left field this spring. That’s not to say he’s a super pull-oriented hitter, as he has the ability to shoot balls to the opposite field, but for now his power plays mostly to the pull side. Gelof has no issues at all catching up to velocity and hammered fastballs this spring, but has struggled with secondary pitches, particularly recognizing and driving breaking stuff. He does have a knack for the barrel and lowered his strikeout rate this spring, but at times gets off-balance in his swing. Scouts seem split on his defensive ability, with some seeing an above-average defender with average arm strength at the hot corner, and others believing he’ll need to move to a corner outfield position in the long term because he’s struggled to throw from multiple arm slots. Gelof is an average runner but has good instincts on the bases and went 31-for-38 (82%) in stolen base attempts in his career.
• Ranked #333 prospect in 2018 draft
  A toolsy infielder committed to Virginia, Gelof has a number of interesting tools including above-average running ability, defensive potential, above-average future power and a solid swing. He struggled in a major way at East Coast Pro over the summer, which gave a number of high-end decision-makers a poor look, but he's a projectable infielder--most likely a third baseman--with a strong, 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame who has performed well in front of area scouts this spring. Gelof is a pitcher as well. He threw in the mid 80s over the summer with major crossfire and a low 70s breaking ball, but overthrew regularly and has more ceiling as a hitter.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Gelof was a stalwart at Virginia and performed well at the 2021 College World Series. He carried that momentum into his professional career after the Athletics drafted him No. 60 overall and in the second round that summer. Gelof hit so well in his pro debut that Oakland felt comfortable sending him to Triple-A Las Vegas in late September for a brief stint. He performed again in 2022, hitting .270/.352/.463 with 18 homers between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas, though he missed roughly six weeks with a left shoulder injury sustained while diving for a ball.
  
  Scouting Report: Gelof's simple, strength-based swing allows for an abundance of hard contact, and he averaged nearly 90 mph in average exit velocity for the second consecutive season. His power continues to play best to the pull side, though he's capable of shooting balls to right field as well. Gelof is physically strong and has raw power, but his swing is fairly flat and will likely lead to above-average power potential. He has a solid approach but will chase at times and fights a tendency to offer at the first pitch of at-bats. Gelof was a third baseman in college, but he battled arm issues and throwing inconsistency during his draft year. The A's transitioned him more to second base in 2022, where they believe his arm slot is better suited. They also aren't ruling out a potential role in the outfield. Gelof is one of the better runners underway in Oakland's system and he appeared in one game in center field with Midland.
  
  The Future: Gelof needs to fine-tune his approach and aggressiveness, but he is nearly ready for the big leagues and should reach Oakland during the 2023 season. He has a chance to develop into a solid-average regular for the rebuilding A's.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Gelof was a stalwart at Virginia and performed well at the 2021 College World Series. He carried that momentum into his professional career after the Athletics drafted him No. 60 overall and in the second round that summer. Gelof hit so well in his pro debut that Oakland felt comfortable sending him to Triple-A Las Vegas in late September for a brief stint. He performed again in 2022, hitting .270/.352/.463 with 18 homers between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas, though he missed roughly six weeks with a left shoulder injury sustained while diving for a ball.
  
  Scouting Report: Gelof's simple, strength-based swing allows for an abundance of hard contact, and he averaged nearly 90 mph in average exit velocity for the second consecutive season. His power continues to play best to the pull side, though he's capable of shooting balls to right field as well. Gelof is physically strong and has raw power, but his swing is fairly flat and will likely lead to above-average power potential. He has a solid approach but will chase at times and fights a tendency to offer at the first pitch of at-bats. Gelof was a third baseman in college, but he battled arm issues and throwing inconsistency during his draft year. The A's transitioned him more to second base in 2022, where they believe his arm slot is better suited. They also aren't ruling out a potential role in the outfield. Gelof is one of the better runners underway in Oakland's system and he appeared in one game in center field with Midland.
  
  The Future: Gelof needs to fine-tune his approach and aggressiveness, but he is nearly ready for the big leagues and should reach Oakland during the 2023 season. He has a chance to develop into a solid-average regular for the rebuilding A's.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: No 2021 Athletics draft pick made a stronger first impression than Gelof, who reached Triple-A Las Vegas by the end of 2021 when the A&#39s needed infield depth. Gelof was a solid performer in college, serving as the leadoff hitter on a Virginia team that reached the 2021 College World Series. He spent most of his pro debut at Low-A Stockton, posting a .941 OPS.
  
  Scouting Report: Gelof is physically strong and flashed plus raw power, mostly to his pull side, in college. The A&#39s believed he could maintain his all-fields approach but unlock that power more regularly as a professional. So far, that&#39s proving prescient. Gelof did significant damage in his short time in Stockton, approaching average exit velocities of 90 mph, and hit seven homers in just 32 games. Gelof hunted fastballs in college and struggled at times with breaking balls, an area he&#39ll have to shore up against more advanced pitching. He&#39ll also have to prove he can stay at third base. Gelof dealt with an elbow injury while at Virginia that affected his throwing mechanics, although the A&#39s are confident he can stick at the position. He showed an average arm when making throws on the run, but struggled setting his feet and making throws over the top. He&#39s an above-average runner and athletic enough to handle a corner outfield position if Oakland opts for a change.
  
  The Future: The A&#39s believe Gelof has the bat, approach and makeup to jump on the fast track, potentially arriving in Oakland as early as 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: No 2021 Athletics draft pick made a stronger first impression than Gelof, who reached Triple-A Las Vegas by the end of 2021 when the A’s needed infield depth. Gelof was a solid performer in college, serving as the leadoff hitter on a Virginia team that reached the 2021 College World Series. He spent most of his pro debut at Low-A Stockton, posting a .941 OPS.
  
  Scouting Report: Gelof is physically strong and flashed plus raw power, mostly to his pull side, in college. The A’s believed he could maintain his all-fields approach but unlock that power more regularly as a professional. So far, that’s proving prescient. Gelof did significant damage in his short time in Stockton, approaching average exit velocities of 90 mph, and hit seven homers in just 32 games. Gelof hunted fastballs in college and struggled at times with breaking balls, an area he’ll have to shore up against more advanced pitching. He’ll also have to prove he can stay at third base. Gelof dealt with an elbow injury while at Virginia that affected his throwing mechanics, although the A’s are confident he can stick at the position. He showed an average arm when making throws on the run, but struggled setting his feet and making throws over the top. He’s an above-average runner and athletic enough to handle a corner outfield position if Oakland opts for a change.
  
  The Future: The A’s believe Gelof has the bat, approach and makeup to jump on the fast track, potentially arriving in Oakland as early as 2023.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Gelof was a talented two-way player at a strong Cape Henlopen program in Lewes, Del., and was the Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018. He made it to Virginia after the Indians drafted him in the 38th round and has been a consistent offensive presence for the Cavaliers since stepping on campus. Gelof hit .300/.380/.464 with eight home runs in 57 games this spring and has a solid all-around tool set to go with his solid track record as a hitter in the ACC. Gelof has above-average raw power, though most of his in-game homers have gone to left field this spring. That's not to say he's a super pull-oriented hitter, as he has the ability to shoot balls to the opposite field, but for now his power plays mostly to the pull side. Gelof has no issues at all catching up to velocity and hammered fastballs this spring, but has struggled with secondary pitches, particularly recognizing and driving breaking stuff. He does have a knack for the barrel and lowered his strikeout rate this spring, but at times gets off-balance in his swing. Scouts seem split on his defensive ability, with some seeing an above-average defender with average arm strength at the hot corner, and others believing he'll need to move to a corner outfield position in the long term because he's struggled to throw from multiple arm slots. Gelof is an average runner but has good instincts on the bases and went 31-for-38 (82%) in stolen base attempts in his career.