The San Diego Padres drafted powerful infielder Zach Evans this season, and he has an interesting upside. His motivation in his daily grind is to give back to those who have helped him in his journey. 

With the 270th overall selection (9th-round) in the 2024 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres selected Zach Evans out of Lenoir-Rhyne University.

The shortstop recorded a .991 OPS in 193 at-bats while blasting 11 homers and driving in 44 runs in his junior year at the school. Lenoir-Rhyne University is a Division II school in Hickory, North Carolina, and not exactly a traditional NCAA powerhouse. In fact, Evans is only the 10th player from Lenoir-Rhyne to be drafted and the highest-ever selection from the school. Kudos to the Padres for finding talent, no matter where they play. Evans likely would have easily established himself even more this coming collegiate season and arguably could have been a top-5 round selection in 2025.

Zach Evans came to Lenoir-Rhyne via Niagra-County Community College in New York. “Coming out of high school, I had two offers, and they were both local junior colleges,” Evans tells EVT. “I chose Niagra County Community College and didn’t know what to expect. “The power stroke had yet to develop for the right-handed hitter. His tools were raw. “He was 6-foot-3, 175 lbs, and lanky. Zach was good but hadn’t found the weight room yet,” head baseball coach Adam Skonieczki of Lenoir-Rhyne said.

The desire to advance his game was always evident for the player, but being born in Buffalo, New York, didn’t precisely help Evans. There is nothing negative against the blue-collar city in Eastern New York, but it isn’t easy to play the game year-round. Bills Mafia runs deep in Buffalo, and Evans is a self-proclaimed die-hard football fan, but baseball was always his love.”It started when I was five or six years old. The first thing I did when I was younger was put a bat or ball in my hands,” Evans said. “My dad played at a Division III school (Brockport, NY), and my sister played softball. Baseball was always on TV. I was always around it. That is just how it was for me. I didn’t know any different. I always had a special relationship with baseball that I just could never give up,” Evans explains.

At Lenoir-Rhyne, Evans focused on his game and improvement. His goal was to be a major leaguer.

Coach Adam Skonieczki did wonders for Evans, and the young Padres prospect praises him. Skonieczki was the associate head coach for the past few seasons and was recently officially named the head coach of the program. “Zach is kind of the guy who doesn’t speak until spoken to. He is very cerebral and intelligent and wants to learn about the game,” Coach Skonieczki tells EVT.

The two men worked hard to prepare Zach Evans. “Coach Skonieczki, who I owe a lot to, told me I had the build and tools to continue my career and chase my dream,” Evans explained. “I trusted in him and in that program. They did amazing things for me and took me to where I am today. It was a grind, though. You put your head down every day, no matter how it went (good, bad, or ugly). You just stick to it. I didn’t have a choice; I wanted to be here (in Padres camp).” Evans certainly put in the work, but he recognizes it is not nearly over. His goal isn’t to be drafted.

Evans points to his added strength in discussing how exactly he changed his game at Lenoir-Rhyne. “I basically transformed a lot about my game in the weight room,” the infielder said. His power numbers spiked as the now 6-foot-4, 210 lb prospect began to utilize his size and strength more effectively. He worked out and lifted weights each day and added muscle to his frame. Evans also points to improvement in his recognition of the speed of the game. At Lenoir-Rhyne, the infielder adjusted and was able to slow down the game when needed.

His junior year was very productive at Lenoir-Rhyne, but Evans did not necessarily believe his phone would ring on draft day. “I went into summer ball and had a few looks,” Evans tells EVT. The young player worked out for the Padres on June 1 as the summer season started. In that Summer League, Evans put up a .947 OPS and drove in 20 runs in 31 games for the Asheboro Zookeepers in the Coastal Plain League. He finished fifth in overall batting average with a .338 mark. The Padres remained in contact during this time. “I didn’t expect too much and then the next thing you know — I am on a flight to Arizona and chasing my dream. It’s pretty crazy,” Evans said.

Zach Evans signed for $10,000 the day before his 22nd birthday. It was a bargain for the Padres, but Evans remains focused on his ultimate goal, not the business side of the sport. He was immediately assigned to Peoria to work in the Arizona Complex League. “Honestly, I am still trying to wrap my head around all of it,” Evans admitted about being in Peoria at the complex. “It all kind of happened in a snap of a finger, and life got kind of flipped upside down in a good way.”

The life of a baseball player is a grind- especially early in their career. Evans creates goals for himself and keeps his motivation strong.

“The way I look at it, my main goal is to give back to my family and the people who helped me. To give them back what they gave me. From my parents taking me to different showcases when I was young to the coaches who took a chance on me in their program and here at the pro level. To give back to them and show them that it was worth it. That is my main motivating factor,” Evans explains. He also talks about his childhood and life in Buffalo as motivation. “To show kids from my area that it is possible to get here.”

His college coach had nothing but great things to say about Zach. “He is your typical blue-collar, hard worker. You are never going to hear a peep from him. Zach will never complain. He will put his nose to the grindstone and do everything to the best of his ability. It is a testament to how he was raised,” Coach Skonieczki said emotionally when speaking about Evans.

When talking about his approach at the plate and his ability to hit for power and average, you get a feeling of what the right-handed hitter is trying to accomplish at the plate.”I always want to be on time. After an at-bat, I think of three things- If I am on time. Did I swing a strike? And did I hit it hard? If I am doing those three things, then I think I am in a good spot”, Zach Evans explains intently. “Just stay on the barrel and hit something hard.”His coach at Lenoir-Rhyne reiterates that Evans is a tough out. “He turned into a more polished hitter than just a swinger,” Coach Skonieczki states.

Evans generally puts the ball in play, and his power is graded well above average. There is a high ceiling here, and the more you talk to him, the higher his floor seems to be. You see, Evans discusses the game like a veteran of several seasons. Nothing ever came easy to him. He has had to work for each opportunity. It takes highly-touted prospects a long time to reach this level of humbleness and humiliation. Evans is way ahead of them in that regard.

When discussing more details about his approach, Evans speaks about taking responsibility for each at-bat. “To have the mindset that it is not in the pitcher’s control, it is in your control. I want to go out on my terms. I feel like if I have that mindset, I am not chasing as much and controlling my own at-bat,” Evans said. The thought process is way ahead of normal, and you see why the Padres are excited about this man’s future.

Evans was drafted as a shortstop but looks to be a third baseman moving forward. The Padres are working him there, and that seems to be the team’s focus. His footwork and arm strength are above average at the moment. Evans’ size and power are prototypical of a third baseman, and that is just fine with him. “In Peoria, I have been playing a lot of third base, which I really enjoy. I am comfortable there. It’s in their hands. I am open to everything. They could turn me into a catcher for all I care,” Evans said with a chuckle. His intent is to make it all the way to the majors. Zach Evans is a ball player. He will do whatever it takes.

His college coach is positive that Zach can be an effective third-baseman. Evans and his coach contemplated the move at Lenoir-Rhyne but decided against it. “It just so happened that Zach was our best shortstop, so we put him at short,” Coach Skonieczki explains. The two men knew a change could easily be made but decided to keep showcasing Evans’ ability at short. “I know he can play third base at a high level,” his former coach insists. The logic is there for Evans to be a plus defender. If he had the footwork and mobility to play shortstop at the collegiate level, he should easily handle the shift to third.

The Padres organization is assisting Zach Evans in everything they can. The impression the franchise has left on him is positive. “It is pretty cool what they are doing here; There is a lot of specialized stuff. The resources you have here. Everything is in my hands. They give you all the tools. It is up to you as a player to take the ball and run with it. They give you a step-by-step breakdown of what they want you to develop. It has been great so far and is really going to help me a ton,” Evans tells EVT.

The gym rat will surely get the most out of everything the Padres hand to him. His concentration right now is on mobility and improving that aspect of his game. The Padres are assisting him and Zach Evans is excited for the progression he is already showing in that area. The sky is truly the limit.

When finally promoted to full-season ball, Evans will be placed in Lake Elsinore with the Storm. The East Coast native has never been to California and is excited about potentially playing in the state soon.”It will be a culture shock for sure, but I am excited about it,” Evans said. Lake Elsinore isn’t exactly Hollywood, but the infielder will surely get a taste of the California vibe. “I can’t wait for it. It is one step closer to the end goal.”

When asked to describe his game to Padres fans, he was blunt and to the point. “I am always going to put my head down and give it everything I have that day. You will never really see me look at the outside stuff. I am going to focus on what we (the team) have to do that day. You are getting a hard worker who respects the game and puts his head down and gets to work every day,” Evans said. That blue-collar work ethic is exactly what you’d expect from the native of Buffalo. No excuses. Just get down and get to work.

Forget the fact he was unheralded out of high school and barely had opportunities to play in college initially. Who cares that he is coming from a Division II program? Zach Evans has all the intangibles to be really good. He comes with an excellent size and power that cannot be taught. The infielder is athletic enough to play shortstop at his size. And best of all, he just gets it. “Zach is always doing the right thing. The phrase ‘lead by example’ is him to a tee,” Coach Skonieczki said proudly. “No matter what happens with the Padres and baseball- he is just going to be successful in life.”

At 22, there is plenty of time for Zach Evans to reach his potential. There will be added power to his game, and his footwork and mobility are improving daily. There is an outside chance you will see Evans in Lake Elsinore this 2024 season. If not, you can be sure that he will attack the 2025 season with a vengeance and soon be recognized as one of the best prospects in the system. “My goals are to keep developing and moving up as quickly and efficiently as I can. I don’t know what is in store for me, but I am going to keep working hard,” Evans said. The work ethic is evident. The physical attributes and skills are as well. A little luck is all that is needed for Zach Evans to reach his ultimate goal.

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. 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.