Cinnaminson's Zagunis selected by Cubs in MLB draft

Mark Zagunis had a pretty good idea he was going to be selected Friday, but the emotions of hearing his name called remained overwhelming when it became a reality.

A Holy Cross High School graduate and three-year starter at Virginia Tech, Zagunis was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of Major League Baseball's 2014 First-Year Player Draft.

"I got a call from an adviser about 30 minutes before the draft started (Friday), so I knew a little before that it would happen," Zagunis said. "It was still just a little overwhelming. I was so anxious to hear my name. I don't know if there's a better feeling than hearing your name called early in the draft."

A catcher, the Cinnaminson resident was the 78th overall pick. The signing bonus assigned by Major League Baseball for that slot is $714,800, according to Baseball America.

Ironically, the Cubs were looking to draft St. Augustine Prep right-hander Joe Gatto in that spot. He went to the Los Angeles Angels as the 53rd overall selection Thursday night after Chicago wouldn't offer guaranteed money.

One of four players to start all 53 games, Zagunis batted .330 (69-for-209) for the Hokies this season. He had 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 39 RBIs and 44 runs scored. He started behind the plate in 40 games.

Zagunis led Virginia Tech in batting average in two of the last three seasons. He joined Johnny Oates as the only two catchers in school history to accomplish the feat.

Zagunis finished his junior year ranked in six Atlantic Coast Conference career categories. Among active players, he was third in batting average (.338), hits per game (1.3), total bases per game (1.9) and stolen bases (52). He was fourth in slugging (.495) and fifth in runs (141).

Zagunis is a two-time All-ACC second team catcher and was a Johnny Bench Award semifinalist this year. He also was named to the All-ACC Academic Team twice.

He's leaning toward signing soon and beginning his professional career.

"I'm just so excited," Zagunis said. "When you have an opportunity that high in the draft, it's almost impossible to turn down. They see a lot of value in a player when he goes that high in the draft.

"I'm blessed and lucky to have an opportunity to play pro ball and hopefully make it to the big leagues one day. It's truly an honor and I'm looking forward to getting things going in the next couple of weeks."

• Fillmyer to Oakland: A Florence graduate, right-hander Heath Fillmyer was taken in the fifth round by the Oakland Athletics.

A two-year pitcher at Mercer County College, Fillmyer was No. 162 overall. The slot value for that spot in the draft is $288,300.

Fillmyer went 9-0 this season, striking out 95 batters in 69 innings. His fastball was consistently in the 92-94 mph range, topping out at 97.

Reach Kevin Minnick at kminnick@courierpostonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @cp_varsity