Virginia Tech Baseball’s 2014 Star Players

Nov 16, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies mascot on the field before the game at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech baseball has had an average start as the Hokies are 12-10-1 through their first 23 games on the season. This year’s Hokies aren’t as good though that isn’t a major surprise after the major group of seniors that Virginia Tech had on last year’s team that led to them hosting a sub-regional. However, there have been three players for the Hokies that have been standing out over the first 23 games and have proven that they are going to be key players for the rest of the season.

1. RHP Brad Markey

Brad Markey is one of only two seniors on this year’s team and Markey has had an excellent start to the season which proves how his win-loss record doesn’t mean everything. Markey might have a 2-4 record but Markey has been quite good with an ERA of 3.05, 1 complete game, and an average of just over 7.5 strikeouts per 9 innings. Markey has also given up only 2 home runs in his 7 starts and is looking like one of the better starting pitchers in all of the ACC. Markey has been a very pleasant surprise and is definitely a guy that is helping his draft stock for the 2014 MLB Draft.

2. C Mark Zagunis

Mark Zagunis had a lot of expectations entering the season and so far, Zagunis has proven why he had many of those expectations with a strong start to the season. Zagunis hasn’t been throwing out a high percentage of opposing base stealers but he hasn’t been too bad while his offense more than makes up for that. Zagunis has 1 home run, 20 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of .385 which just shows how he is a disciplined run producer and that type of player isn’t easy to find. Mark Zagunis has lived up to expectations so far and expect him to continue meeting and surpassing those expectations.

3. OF Saige Jenco

Redshirt freshman outfielder Saige Jenco has come out of nowhere to become one of the star players for the Hokies and should be a MLB prospect in a few years once he is eligible. Jenco has a very good batting average of .357 with an insanely impressive 28 walks and .554 on-base percentage. The fact that a leadoff-hitting freshman has this type of plate discipline is type special and is MLB-quality. Jenco also only has one error and has done a very good job defensively in the outfield to go with having 11 stolen bases in 15 attempts. Saige Jenco is a breakthrough star for the Hokies and a guy who is only going to get better which definitely should scare the rest of the ACC.