Zack Von Rosenberg

Zachary Randall Von Rosenberg
(The German Assassin)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 207 lb.
• High Schools Zachary High School, Barbe High School

• Born September 24, 1990 in Lake Charles, LA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Zack Von Rosenberg made his pro debut in 2009.

Von Rosenberg was the starting pitcher when Alfred M. Barbe High School of Lake Charles, LA took the Louisiana 5A state title in 2006 even though he barely touched 80 mph on his fastball. At the time, the freshman stood 5' 7". When his parents changed jobs, he transferred to Zachary High School. As a sophomore, he had grown to 6' 0" and his fastball was now hitting 84 mph. He helped Zachary to the state 4A title, again starting and winning the decisive game. His junior year, Zach stood 6' 3" and was hitting 87 on the radar gun; he tossed a shutout in the state championship. That year, he was named a second-team high school All-American by Baseball America, one of only two underclassmen picked for the team. The only pitchers chosen for the first team were Taylor Jungmann, Jake Odorizzi, Brett DeVall and Danny Hultzen; first-rounder Gerrit Cole joined Von Rosenberg on the second team.

As a senior, Von Rosenberg hit .489 with 10 homers and 45 RBI and posted a 11-1 record with two saves, a 0.60 ERA, 141 strikeouts and only 56 hits and 18 walks in 93 innings. He was named second-team All-American by Baseball America as a utility man, behind Matt Hobgood. Zack's school made it to the state finals for a fourth straight year and once again he got the start. For the first time in those four events, he allowed an earned run, but he still beat favored Sam Houston High School 5-2. He was named the Gatorade Louisiana Baseball Player of the Year.

Due to a strong college commitment to Louisiana State University, Von Rosenberg fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round of the 2009 amateur draft. He was signed by scout Jerome Cochran for a $1.2 million bonus, part of a strategy of spreading the wealth on high schoolers with college commitments after going low-cost with first-rounder Tony Sanchez. Baseball America immediately rated him Pittsburgh's 8th-best prospect.

Von Rosenberg made his pro debut late in the year with the 2009 GCL Pirates, throwing one hitless, scoreless inning. The next season, he was assigned to the State College Spikes. He started the season opener on June 18 but allowed seven hits and four runs in four innings in a loss to the Williamsport Crosscutters. He was 0-3 with a 7.50 ERA and .340 opponent average after three starts.

Sources seem to use both the spellings "Zach" and "Zack" relatively interchangeably for his first name.

Sources

• 2009-2010 Baseball Almanacs
• 2010 Pirates Media Guide