Mark Zagunis

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #20 prospect in 2018
  The Cubs had four hitters at higher levels who looked ready for the major leagues entering 2017. Ian Happ and since-traded Jeimer Candelario graduated to the majors, while Victor Caratini got his first callup and moved into the Top 10. Zagunis also earned his first callup as well, but it went poorly, with an 0-for-14 stretch in June that resulted in a return trip to Triple-A Iowa. Zagunis' season ended early for the second straight year; in 2016 it was a broken big toe, while in 2017 he broke the hamate bone in his left hand. He has the best plate discipline in the system, with a .402 career on-base percentage in the minor leagues, to go with average power. He's still a solid athlete, an average runner who can steal a base. As he's slowed down, the former catcher has become a corner outfielder only, with average ability in either corner to go with an above-average arm. Zagunis lacks a plus tool or the defensive versatility to be a true fourth outfielder, limiting his options for the Cubs. A perfect second-division regular profile, Zagunis is ticketed for a return to Iowa and will have to heat up fast if he gets another shot in the big leagues.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #6 prospect in 2017
  Zagunis played catcher and outfield at Virginia Tech and focused on catching as a junior, when the Cubs drafted him with their third selection. After catching in his pro debut, he shifted to an outfield-only role and reached Triple-A Iowa in 2016, a season in which he achieved career bests with 25 doubles, 10 home runs and a .469 slugging percentage. His season ended early when a pitch hit him on the foot in late July, breaking his big toe. Cubs officials have compared Zagunis' strike-zone judgment with Kevin Youkilis. While he still drew walks in 2016, he also became more aggressive on pitches in the zone. His ability to identify pitches early out of the pitcher's hand allows him to lay off tough pitches and attack mistakes more confidently. He has average bat speed but good strength in his hands and wrists, giving him solid-average power potential. He's still learning to stay on time and pull the ball in the air, which would produce more homers. An average runner with an above-average arm, Zagunis still needs reps to be an asset defensively. He's capable in either corner and should make defense more of a focus. The Cubs' big league outfield remains crowded even after trading Jorge Soler, meaning Zagunis is ticketed for a full year at Triple-A. Scouts are split on his potential to become a first-division corner regular, and a club that does would value Zagunis as one of Chicago's better trade chips.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #11 prospect in 2016
  A catcher and outfielder during his Virginia Tech career, Zagunis split time between catcher and the outfield after signing for $615,000 as a third-round pick in 2014. His athleticism and solid-average speed made the outfield an option, and Zagunis never warmed to the grind of being an everyday catcher. So he spent all of 2015 as an outfielder at high Class A Myrtle Beach, predominantly in right field but mixing in starts at all three spots. He ranked second in the Carolina League in both walks (80) and on-base percentage (.406) while leading the league with 16 hit by pitches. One of those pitches in August went off Zagunis' head, prompting him to miss two weeks, but he returned to play the last two weeks of the season and help Myrtle Beach win the league title. He has solid bat speed and strength to go with an advanced approach and line-drive swing, giving him a chance to be an above-average hitter. His home-run power doesn't profile for a corner spot, but his on-base skills could make Zagunis a leadoff man. He led the Arizona Fall League in walks (19) and ranked second with a .455 OBP despite hitting just .234. He plays with some effort and plenty of energy, putting his catcher experience to use by occasionally warming up pitchers between innings, but he's an outfielder all the way now with average defensive ability and arm strength. He heads to Double-A Tennessee for 2016.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #15 prospect in 2015
  The son of a high school assistant coach, Zagunis nevertheless is a college draftee more notable for his athletic ability than his polish. He's an above-average runner, not just for a catcher, though his baserunning instincts could use improvement. In his first two seasons at Virginia Tech, he played as much outfield as catcher, and while his arm strength rates above-average, he remains a raw receiver and overall defender who also has to be more assertive as an on-field leader as a pro. At the plate, though, Zagunis' advanced approach translated to pro ball, as he walked (42) as often as he struck out and hit for average, including a 12-for-28 run with two home runs in the low Class A Midwest League playoffs. That helped Kane County run the table for the league title, with Zagunis as the DH. He puts together quality at-bats as often as anyone in the organization, recognizes pitches early and knows what pitches he can drive. Zagunis gears his swing for line drives to the gaps. His bat profiles better behind the plate, and the Cubs are loaded with outfielders. He's slated to return to the Midwest League, with new affiliate South Bend, for 2015, when his defense will be tested regularly.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #111 prospect in 2014 draft
  Zagunis' father, a high school assistant coach, moved him behind the plate in high school in south Jersey, and he is still trying to prove to scouts that he can be an everyday backstop. He started 28 of 62 games behind the plate for Virginia Tech's 2013 regional team, while also playing the corner outfield spots. He has been the regular catcher this year as well as the team's leading hitter and No. 2 basestealer. A successful high school quarterback, Zagunis shows more athleticism than the average college catcher, with plus speed to go with his powerful 6-foot, 212-pound frame. He's not afraid to take a walk and has a line-drive approach that should allow him to hit for average. His slugging percentage has declined by 100 points this season with less protection in the lineup, with just two homers after 14 his first two seasons. Teams still recognize his overall offensive track record, however, and see an impressive power/speed combination. Zagunis' receiving and defense remain below-average. He needs reps receiving and blocking, and his above-average arm strength hasn't translated to throwing out basestealers; he has thrown out less than 20 percent for his career.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #15 prospect in 2015
  A catcher at Virginia Tech, Zagunis moved to left field on a full-time basis this year in his first full season and impressed everyone with his keen eye at the plate. Carolina League managers identified him as having the best strike-zone discipline in the circuit, and he finished second in the league with 81 walks and with a .406 on-base percentage. Zagunis is not a graceful athlete in the outfield, but he's an average runner once he gets underway and gives plenty of effort. He's going to be an average-over-power hitter who sets the table at the top of a lineup, which could lead to profile problems as a corner outfielder. Still, Zagunis has enough strength and discipline in his game to suggest a power boost as he matures and moves up the ladder.
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  Ranked Northwest League #9 prospect in 2014
  While the Cubs added outfield duties for No. 4 overall pick Kyle Schwarber, a college catcher, they're committed to catching with Zagunis, a New Jersey prep product who was a catcher/outfielder on Virginia Tech's 2013 club that produced six draft picks. He caught full time for a less-successful Hokies team in 2014 but had a strong pro debut after signing for $615,000 with the Cubs. Zagunis stands out among catchers for his athleticism and above-average speed, as well as good basestealing instincts. He's a capable outfielder defensively thanks to his wheels, but he profiles much better if he can catch. Offensively he's patient and starting to tap into his average power more consistently. He's got the requisite Jersey toughness to catch every day but is extemely raw defensively, from his footwork to his transfers to simple bad receiving habits. He has average arm strength but threw out just three of 29 basestealers (10 percent) in 15 games.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Zagunis played catcher and outfield at Virginia Tech and focused on catching as a junior, when the Cubs drafted him with their third selection. After catching in his pro debut, he shifted to an outfield-only role and reached Triple-A Iowa in 2016. His season ended early when a pitch hit him on the foot, breaking his big toe and ending his season in late July. Scouting Report: Cubs officials have compared Zagunis' strike-zone judgment with Kevin Youkilis. While he still drew walks in 2016, he also became more aggressive on pitches in the zone. His ability to identify pitches early out of the pitcher's hand allows him to lay off tough pitches and attack mistakes more confidently. He has average bat speed but good strength in his hands and wrists, giving him solid-average power potential. He's still learning to stay on time and pull the ball in the air, which would produce more homers. An average runner with an above-average arm, Zagunis still needs reps to be an asset defensively.
  
  The Future: The Cubs' big league outfield remains crowded even after the trade of Jorge Soler, meaning Zagunis is ticketed for a full year at Triple-A. Scouts are split on his potential to become a first-division corner regular.