Zack Gelof Makes Oakland A's History With Sixth-Career Home Run
Former Virginia baseball star Zack Gelof made history on Wednesday afternoon with a 409-foot solo home run in the Oakland Athletics' 2-0 victory over the Texas Rangers, already his sixth homer of his career. Gelof became the fastest player to reach six home runs in Oakland A's franchise history, reaching the mark in just 22 games.
Per MLB.com, the franchise record for most homers through 22 games was previously a tie between eight different players who each hit five home runs, including José Canseco, Yoenis Céspedes, Matt Chapman and Sean Murphy, a group that boasts a combined 10 All-Star appearances between them.
“It’s not something I focus on, but it’s something that’s pretty cool,” Gelof said after the game. “If you’re driving in runs, you’re helping the team win. It’s a pretty cool stat, but you just have to keep going.”
Through 22 games at the Major League level, Gelof is batting .250 with 15 runs, 11 RBI, and 21 hits, including two doubles, one triple and six homers. Gelof has recorded an extra base hit in 13 of those 22 games. He has also stolen six bases, getting caught only once. Gelof has fielded his position at second base well, committing only one error on 97 chances, turning 13 double plays, and posting a fielding percentage of .990.
Gelof became the 55th Virginia baseball alum to appear in an MLB game and so far, he is proving to be yet another example of a high quality professional player produced by the UVA baseball program.
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