Andy Yerzy

Andrew Jacob Yerzy (born July 5, 1998) is a Canadian professional baseball catcher and first baseman in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[1]

Andy Yerzy
Arizona Diamondbacks
Catcher
Born: (1998-07-05) July 5, 1998
North York, Ontario, Canada
Bats: Left Throws: Right

Early life

Yerzy, a native of North York, Ontario, was born to David and Patricia (née Wong) Yerzy, and has two older brothers.[2] His paternal grandparents were Eric Yerzy (whose parents and siblings were murdered in the Holocaust) and Sonia Yerzy.[3] His maternal grandparents were Cheuck Yu Wong and Shun Kiu Susan Wong.[4] He attended York Mills Collegiate Institute in Toronto.[5][6][2]

Career

Amateur career

Yerzy was selected for the Junior Canadian National Baseball Team at the age of 15.[2] Yerzy was co-champion of Major League Baseball's Junior Home Run Derby at the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[7]

Arizona Diamondbacks

Yerzy was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, 52nd overall.[5][6] He was the third-highest Major League Baseball draft pick ever from the Greater Toronto Area, behind Josh Naylor (12th overall in 2015 by the Miami Marlins) and Joey Votto (44th overall in 2002 by the Cincinnati Reds).[2] He had signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Notre Dame, but instead signed for a signing bonus of $1.214 million.[1][8] It was the 11th-highest bonus ever given a Canadian baseball player.[9] Arizona scouting director Deric Ladnier said: "He has massive power."[8]

After being drafted, at the age of 17, Yerzy played for both the AZL Diamondbacks and the Missoula Osprey in 2016. He posted a combined .216 batting average with one home run and 16 RBIs in 45 total games between both teams.[5] After the 2016 season, Baseball America ranked him Arizona's #14 prospect.[1]

He spent 2017 with Missoula. Yerzy greatly improved over his debut, batting .298/.365/.524 with 13 home runs (tied for 6th in the Pioneer League), 45 RBIs and an .890 OPS in 54 games.[10][11]

Yerzy played all of 2018 with the Hillsboro Hops, slashing .297/.382/.452 with eight home runs (tied for 8th in the Northwest League), 34 RBIs (9th), and 34 walks (8th) in 63 games.[12] He was both a Northwest League Mid-Season All Star and a Northwest League Post-Season All Star for Hillsboro.[13]

Yerzy split 2019 between the Hillsboro Hops and the Kane County Cougars in the Class A Midwest League, batting a combined .179/.279/.275 with 46 walks, six home runs, and 39 RBIs in 357 at bats.[14] His 34 RBIs and 37 walks with Hillsboro were both 6th in the league.[15]

International career

Yerzy was selected Canada national baseball team at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup and 2019 Pan American Games Qualifier[16] and 2019 WBSC Premier12.[17]

References
  1. "Andy Yerzy Stats & Scouting Report". Baseball America. July 5, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  2. Jamie Strashin (June 16, 2016). "Andrew Yerzy: Toronto's million-dollar baseball prospect | CBC Sports". Cbc.ca. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  3. "Eric Yerzy Obituary - Montreal, QC | The Gazette". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  4. "Cheuck Wong Obituary - Toronto, ON | Toronto Star". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  5. "Andy Yerzy Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  6. "Pioneer notes: Yerzy proving he's worthy". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  7. Matt Layman (June 20, 2016). "D-backs sign second-round pick Andrew Yerzy". Arizonasports.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  8. "Toronto News | Latest Headlines & Breaking News". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  9. "After BP with DBacks, Yerzy watches from on high with co-owner Royer — Canadian Baseball Network". Canadianbaseballnetwork.com. June 22, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  10. "Andy Yerzy Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  11. "2017 Pioneer League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  12. "Andy Yerzy Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  13. "Andy Yerzy Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  14. "Andy Yerzy Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  15. "2019 Northwest League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  16. "Baseball Canada announces roster for Pan Am Games Qualifier". Baseball Canada. January 9, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  17. "Baseball Canada reveals 2019 WBSC Premier12® roster". Baseball Canada. October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
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