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Iowa Hawkeyes pitcher Adam Mazur goes in 2nd round of MLB Draft
Transfer from South Dakota State and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year was selected by the San Diego Padres
Jul. 17, 2022 11:16 pm, Updated: Jul. 18, 2022 10:20 am
Iowa Hawkeyes Adam Mazur (33) delivers the ball to the plate during game one against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday, April 15, 2022 at Duane Banks Field. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
CEDAR RAPIDS — Adam Mazur became a millionaire Sunday night, and a member of the San Diego Padres organization.
Probably.
The University of Iowa junior pitcher was selected by San Diego in the second round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft. Mazur was taken 53rd overall.
The pick has been valued by MLB at $1.44 million. That doesn’t necessarily mean that would be the exact signing bonus Mazur would receive if he decides to sign with the Padres, but it’s a pretty good guide.
Mazur does have one more season of college eligibility remaining. He is the highest-drafted Hawkeyes pitcher under head coach Rick Heller.
The last Iowa pitcher to be selected in the second round was Wes Obermueller, who went 58th overall to the Kansas City Royals in 1999.
Mazur transferred to Iowa from South Dakota State for the 2022 season and flourished, named the Big Ten Conference Pitcher of the Year. Trenton Wallace of Iowa was the 2021 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and is in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
“Mazur throws two different fastballs, a four-seamer that sits at 93-95 mph and tops out at 99 and a two-seamer at 90-94 mph with good sink,” said Mazur’s scouting report on MLB.com. “His best offering is an 82-86 mph slider that reaches 89, features two-plane break and grades as plus when it's on. His changeup is a bit firm in the mid-80s but dodges bats with some late tumble, and he also can mix in an upper-70s curveball to give hitters a different look.
“Mazur has a quick arm and plenty of room to add weight to his lean 6-foot-2 frame, so he could continue to get better.”
Other Hawkeyes who could be drafted include first baseman Peyton Williams. Iowa signee Cade Obemueller, the Iowa City High senior, also has a chance to get taken.
The first two rounds of the MLB Draft were conducted Sunday night. Oklahoma high school shortstop Stephen Holliday, son of longtime big league outfielder Matt Holliday, was the first-overall draft pick to the Baltimore Orioles.
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
