Delaware is about to have another big leaguer.
Cape Henlopen High graduate Zack Gelof has been promoted to the Oakland Athletics for Friday’s opener of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Oakland Coliseum, according to numerous reports.
Ranked as the Athletics’ No. 3 prospect by mlb.com, Gelof was Oakland’s second-round draft pick, 60th overall, in 2021 out of the University of Virginia where he batted a career .319.
Gelof was the 2018 Delaware High School Player of the Year after sparking Cape Henlopen to its first state title.
Although he broke in as a third baseman, Gelof has played second base this year for Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. He is batting .304 with .381 on-base and .529 slugging percentages. Gelof has 12 home runs and has also stolen 20 bases this season.
FAMILY AFFAIR: Jake Gelof joins brother in pro baseball
The 23-year-old from Rehoboth Beach has made a fast climb through the Oakland system, having debuted at Class A Stockton in 2021 and gone up to Double-A Midland in 2022, with brief Triple-A call-ups each season. He has a career .292 batting average with 37 homers in 201 minor league games.
Gelof is the second player out of a Delaware high school to be promoted to the big leagues this summer. Former Hodgson Vo-Tech and University of Delaware pitcher Brandon Walter has made four appearances for the Boston Red Sox. He has earned one save and compiled a 2.31 ERA while striking out six in 11⅔ innings.
They have joined Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley from Caravel Academy and former University of Delaware pitcher Ron Marinaccio, a Yankees relief pitcher. Former Middletown High and UD pitcher Chad Kuhl was recently released by the Washington Nationals.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Cape Henlopen grad Zack Gelof promoted to the MLB’s Oakland Athletics