Houston Astros pick Ohio State's Zach Dezenzo from Marlington in 12th round of MLB Draft

Josh Weir, The Repository
·3 min read
Ohio State shortstop Zach Dezenzo is greeted by his teammates at home plate after scoring during Wednesday night’s game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Kent State's Schooner Stadium.
Ohio State shortstop Zach Dezenzo is greeted by his teammates at home plate after scoring during Wednesday night’s game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Kent State's Schooner Stadium.

The Houston Astros picked Ohio State's Zach Dezenzo, a Marlington High School graduate, in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.

Dezenzo had to wait until the third day of the draft and the 373rd overall selection to hear his name called, but now he has the opportunity to take his power-packed bat to professional baseball.

Dezenzo tied an Ohio State single-season record with 19 home runs as a senior in 2022. He shares the record with Massillon product Dan Seimetz.

Zach Dezenzo awaits MLB Draft: Power move: Ohio State slugger and Marlington alum Zach Dezenzo readies for MLB Draft

The 22-year-old Dezenzo batted .319 with team highs of 18 doubles, 54 RBIs and 54 runs this past spring to go with the home runs. Dezenzo, who earned second-team All-Big Ten, owns 38 career home runs — third all-time for the Buckeyes.

Dezenzo only hit two home runs during his high school career at Marlington but put on more than 30 pounds at Ohio State. The power numbers followed.

Ohio State's Zach Dezenzo bats against Iowa.
Ohio State's Zach Dezenzo bats against Iowa.

“I don’t really try to hit home runs, so to speak,” Dezenzo told the Repository earlier this month. “I’ve stuck with my approach of hitting hard line drives to the gaps and over time, as I grew physically, those balls that were doubles and triples before tend to get over the fence now.”

Dezenzo is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound athlete who played shortstop in high school and college but projects as a corner infielder in professional baseball. Dezenzo also played some outfield in the MLB Draft League after his collegiate season was done.

“I think the versatility piece is big for me,” Dezenzo said. “I just want to have as many options as I can to be in the lineup.”

Erie SeaWolves batter Dillon Dingler hits a two-run double in the first inning against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at UPMC Park in Erie on July 13, 2022.
Erie SeaWolves batter Dillon Dingler hits a two-run double in the first inning against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at UPMC Park in Erie on July 13, 2022.

Stark County baseball players in MLB Draft

Zach Dezenzo’s selection marks the fifth straight year a Stark County player was chosen in the MLB Draft.

The Altoona Curve's Kyle Nicolas, a former Jackson High School star, pitches during an April 23 game against New Hampshire in Altoona.
The Altoona Curve's Kyle Nicolas, a former Jackson High School star, pitches during an April 23 game against New Hampshire in Altoona.

2022

• Zach Dezenzo (Marlington HS, Ohio State): 12th round, 373rd overall by Houston Astros

2021

• Ryan Bergert (GlenOak HS, West Virginia): Sixth round, 190th overall by San Diego Padres

2020

• Dillon Dingler (Jackson HS, Ohio State): Second round, 38th overall by Detroit Tigers

• Kyle Nicolas (Jackson HS, Ball State): Comp. Balance B, 61st overall by Miami Marlins

2019

• Brock Begue (Marlington HS, Tri-C): 11th round, 343rd overall by Milwaukee Brewers

• Pavin Parks (Louisville/Manchester HS, Kent State): 36th round, 1072nd overall by Detroit Tigers

2018

• Chris Machamer (Massillon/Hoover HS, Kentucky): 16th round, 490th overall by Boston Red Sox

• Pavin Parks (Louisville/Manchester HS, Kent State): 24h round, 711th overall by San Diego Padres

• Glen Richardson (Jackson HS, Sinclair CC): 29th round, 869th overall by Texas Rangers

Ohio State shortstop Zach Dezenzo.
Ohio State shortstop Zach Dezenzo.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Buckeyes' Zach Dezenzo picked in 12th round of MLB Draft by Astros