Catching up with San Diego Padres’ infield prospect Zach Evans in Lake Elsinore. 

In his first taste of full-season professional baseball, Zach Evans is tearing it up.

The San Diego Padres selected Evans in the 9th round of the 2024 draft from a Division II school in North Carolina. Lenior-Rhyne University advanced to the College World Series this week, and Evans is particularly proud of that fact. It is the first time the school made it all the way, and Evans surely assisted in paving the way.

The right-handed hitter is currently wiry in stature and is building strength in his body. That is what the Padres want from the youngster, and he discusses that fact. “Our strength coach does a great job. We lift three or four times a week. We do sprint sessions and stuff like that,” Evans tells EVT this week. At 6-foot-4 and 210 lbs. Evans can easily add more muscle and fill out. The 22-year-old will do that in time. “The Padres and Storm staff created a baseline of what they wanted from me as far as working out. The Storm adds to anything I need as they see me play every day.”

Evans is really enjoying his first experience of California life. “I am loving all of it. I love the area and have no complaints at all,” Evans said with a smile. He truly enjoys Lake Elsinore, as we discussed the area and the parts of California he has visited through his experiences with the Cal League baseball. We laughed together as the third baseman, a native of Buffalo, even complained that it was getting cold at night and hitting the 60s. He is acclimating nicely to life on the West Coast.

When asked about his hot start (Evans is hitting .328 on the season and leading the California League), he was coy and dismissive, just what you like to see from a young player. “It has been good. I have been trying to take it one day at a time. The minute I start trying to look ahead is when I get into trouble,” Evans said with a nod.

He did give credit to his teammates and the staff in Lake Elsinore for helping him this season. “They give me a game plan of what pitchers we are going to see that day. That has helped me a ton. And the guys in front of me in the order. Them telling me before I get to the plate is a big help,” Evans explains. It is the little things in the game that make the difference. The young infielder will digest any information that gives him an advantage at the plate.

“We are starting to figure it out and play good baseball.”

His line drive approach at the plate is well-suited for the large outfield at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore. Evans lets the ball travel and peppers the field with ease, distributing balls to all parts of the field. There is pop in the bat, though he has yet to find his power stroke. The Padres are surely fine with his current results. His on-base percentage is at the .390 mark, as Evans will also work a walk. In discussing his mechanics, he was clear and concise. “My mechanical stuff will come in the cages before the game. That’s when I will tweak out some things if they don’t feel right. As soon as it’s game time, I’ll flush all that, and it’s just me versus the pitcher. I get into competitive mode at that point,” Evans explains.

The Lake Elsinore Storm team struggled out of the gates but are playing better now. Evans enjoys his teammates and appreciates all their hard work. “It is a great group of guys. Everyone plays together really well,” Evans said. “We didn’t get off to the start we wanted in the first few weeks, but we are starting to figure it out and play good baseball.”

The grind of a minor league baseball season is taking its toll on Evans as he endures his first season as a professional. “I have a couple of tweaks here and there. I just want to stay out on the field every day,” Evans said. Every player who plays each day will go through aches and pains. Evans is fine—nothing to be troubled about. “I am just trying to stay healthy,” the third baseman explains. He played on the day of this interview and went 1-for-4 in the game, reaching base on an error as well—just a typical day for Evans in producing for his team.

Lake Elsinore Storm’s first-year manager, Brian Burress, a former major leaguer, had glowing remarks about his third baseman. “He’s been really great in all facets. He hits line drive after line drive. Zach does a good job over there at third base and hits in the middle of our lineup. He’s been really, really good for us,” Burress said about Zach Evans. Burress is right, Evans does the little things in the game that go a long way. He is also swinging a consistent bat, which helps build his confidence in the game.

Third base is where Evans is currently positioned, but he can play anywhere in the infield. “I’m open to anything. Anything that will keep me in the lineup every day. I played shortstop pretty much my whole life. I knew that was going to change when I came here. I’m open to anything. I’ll play first, third, second, wherever they need me,” Evans said with a smile. The ballplayer just wants to play. It is pleasing to see that in a young player, because there is a long grind ahead for Evans to reach his ultimate goal. But he is ready for the challenge.

At the age of 22, Zach Evans is not an old prospect by any stretch of the imagination. He is right on the path for a first-year player, but the Padres have several teenagers on the team, and that has Evans a little dumbfounded. “I came in at 22 and felt I was still a little young. I get here, and the guys are 19 and 20 years old. It was like, dang, maybe I am not a youngster,” Evans said with a laugh. We joked that he was one of the old men on the team. All in good fun, as Evans has embraced the role of leader to the younger players.

There are always things to work on if you are a minor leaguer.

There is no perfection in the game of baseball. The tools must be kept sharp, and players often continue working on tasks despite achieving success. Players need to stay ahead of the game. Evans is no different as he continues to try and get better. “I’m working on my mobility and moving around the infield. I would also like to get my power numbers up. Seeing balls leaving the yard a little bit. Right now, I am not going to complain about that. They will come,” Evans tells EVT. “I’m just going to take it day by day. I am just trying to keep the same mindset.”

The joy of winning rules out for Evans as he explains his goals for the near future. “Honesty, to just keep winning ballgames. Nothing on a personal level. Just keep doing what I am doing. We need to be more consistent. It is what we just talked about in the clubhouse. To win the series and be more consistent,” Evans explains about his team. Any personal accolades are immediately deflected to the team and its success. Nothing matters more for Evans than helping his team win ballgames.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.