Locals in Baseball: Zaneski OK with long road to majors

It has been a different route for Norwich Free Academy graduate Zach Zaneski.

Unlike former NFA buddies Andrew Carignan and Eric Campbell, Zaneski was not drafted when he graduated from the University of Rhode Island last June.

Zaneski led the Rams last year with a .355 batting average and threw out 27 runners, tops in the Atlantic-10. He was in the running for the Johnny Bench Award, given to the best college catcher in the country.

Those numbers, however, were not enough, and Zaneski was able to seek out his own destiny as a free agent where he hooked up with the Texas Rangers. The organization assigned Zaneski to their short season “A” ball club in Spokane, Wash.

Zaneski hit .252 with four doubles and 11 runs batted in in 103 at-bats for the Indians in 2008. This spring, Zaneski is hoping for a more permanent assignment from the Rangers. He left for spring training on Saturday.

Before Zaneski left, he sat down with Norwich Bulletin Sports Editor Marc Allard to discuss his future in professional baseball.

Q How happy were you, as an undrafted free agent, to hook up with a team?

A I just tried to take advantage of the opportunity that was given to me. I think I did a pretty good job and they invited me back to spring training so I’m looking forward to it.

Q What was your first year like with the Rangers organization?

A At the beginning, I wasn’t playing too much. But a kid went home for a wedding and I got to play a few games in a row and I did well. After that, I was pretty much splitting time with this other catcher and ended up playing quite a bit.

Q Is it more difficult being an undrafted rather than drafted player?

A There’s sort of a shadow over you that’s saying that you’re not supposed to make it because no one picked you — I don’t look at it that way. I feel I can compete with everyone else, and that I’m just as good, if not better, than most other players. You have to look at it that way.

Q Is catcher a good position to attempt to make it as a free agent?

A They say the fastest way (to the major leagues) is pitching and catching. I just have to catch a good game, call a good game and throw some people out. Hopefully, I can swing the bat a little bit and I should be OK.

Q How much flexibility do they give you in calling a game?

A They let us call our own game; they want us to learn as we play pretty much. Every game, we call our own game, the only difference is that they will give us signs for runners on base.

Q It’s your first spring training, how are you feeling going in?

A I’m really excited. I’ve been working my tail off this winter, working out with Eric Campbell and my cousin, Andrew Carignan. I’ve been catching Andrew a lot and throwing and hitting with Eric and (Oakland A’s major leaguer) Rajai Davis. It’s a great group and I’ve caught a bit with (Waterford’s) Rob Bono, too, I don’t want to forget him. It’s a great thing to have. Otherwise, I would be on my own trying to do it all. It’s good to be able to partner up, it’s a little support group.

Q Would you be happy to see Andrew make it to the majors this season?

A I’m so excited for him, I can’t wait. First of all, he’s family, and secondly because we were a pitcher/catcher tandem in high school. I hope he makes it this year. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, because a lot of it is luck and timing. I’m pumped for him.

Q Where do you want to be this year?

A The goal is one level a year and that, hopefully, will be in Hickory, North Carolina, (with the Hickory Crawdads). That’s ‘A’ (ball) long season, and I’m looking forward to it.