HOLLY SPRINGS – Former High Point-Thomasville second baseman Zack Gelof (photo courtesy of the Oakland A’s) made his Major League debut with the Oakland Athletics July 14, whilst recording his first Major League hit and RBI. His RBI-double off the top of the center-field wall evened the score at two in the third inning during the A’s battle against the Twins on Friday night (7/14). Although Minnesota squeaked by, 5-4, Gelof’s debut with his family in attendance made for a game they will never forget.

Taken in the second round of the 2021 MLB draft, he started off his professional career with Low-A Stockton, before quickly finding himself making appearances in both Double-A and Triple-A with Midland and Las Vegas respectively. While a member of the RockHounds in 2022, he slashed .271/.356/.438 through 87 games. He racked up 96 hits including 13 home runs, scored 54 runs and drove in 61 RBIs.

Gelof started the 2023 season with the Aviators and was swinging .304 with 34 extra base hits, 60 runs scored and 44 RBIs when he was called up to Oakland. Thus far, he has played in 13 games for the A’s, batting .235 with 10 hits, including four doubles, a triple and three bombs. He’s also scored 10 runs, driven in six RBIs and swiped five stolen bags.

The former Virginia infielder spent the 2020 summer in the Coastal Plain League with the HiToms, where he swung .364 in 15 games. Of his 16 hits, three were doubles and three were homers, while he also walked five times. He also finished with 12 runs scored, 19 RBIs and an OPS of 1.078.

With his debut, Gelof becomes the 178th CPL alum to reach the Bigs, and the 14th player to make their debut in 2023. He is also the 22nd former HiToms player to make his MLB debut.

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 14 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had nearly 1,750 alumni drafted and 178 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.