Duke Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates Select Zack Kone

The days have just gotten better for members of the Duke Baseball team as yet another player was selected in the 2018 MLB Draft.

He plays shortstop and wears No. 2 for his childhood idol Derek Jeter, but now Duke shortstop Zack Kone could have the chance to live out his own dream in the MLB.

With the No. 384 overall pick in the 13th Round of the 2018 MLB Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Zack Kone.

The 6’3″ junior has excelled at Duke, starting every game he has played throughout his three years.

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In his first year at Duke, Kone hit .272 with one home run and 16 RBI. Although pedestrian numbers Kone still managed to find his way to the All-ACC Freshman Team and the All-ACC Academic Team.

Kone saw a major spike in production in his stats during his sophomore year when he bumped his average to .291 with two home runs and 28 RBI. Kone also successfully stole 12 of 18 bases during his sophomore campaign.

Once again Kone was named to the All-ACC Academic Team as well as the ACC Academic Honor Roll. That summer Kone went up to the Cape Cod League, the premier college baseball summer league, and was selected to the All-Star Game.

Coming into his junior season, Kone was named to the 2018 Brooks Wallace Award Watch List which is given to the country’s best shortstop.

In 60 games this season Kone has hit .289, showing off his improved power with five home runs and 38 RBI. Kone has been very efficient in stealing bases, successful taking six of seven bags.

For his career, Kone is a .284 hitter, leaving the ballpark eight times, while knocking in 82 runs.

Whether Kone signs with the Pirates or returns to Duke remains to be seen, but the Duke shortstop will have time to focus on that in the offseason as he prepares for the Blue Devils first trip to the NCAA Baseball Tournament Super Regionals this weekend against Texas Tech.

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