Skip to main content

PN Interview: Off-season check in with RHP Jason Zgardowski

JZ honored
Zgardowski honored prior to Lakewood's last home game, image- Jay Floyd
Righty reliever Jason Zgardowski had a solid season in 2015, a year after he was signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent. In 34 games combined at short-season A level Williamsport and Class A Lakewood this season, the 22-year-old sported a 4-1 record with two saves, a 3.12 ERA and a .182 batting average against.

The Texas native was honored by the Phils organization this year, representing Lakewood as the player that best displayed leadership through community service.

This weekend I talked with Jason to learn about how he's spending his off-season and what he is doing to stay in shape during the fall and winter months, balancing fatherhood with being a pro athlete and more. Read ahead for the full interview.

-How much time off do you take from picking up a baseball and what other methods do you use to work out during the off-season?

I like to go at least a month and a half before I pick up a baseball, but to keep my arm in shape during that time I still do bands and arm care programs that our trainers give us before we leave for the off-season.

-What is your routine for knocking the rust off? Where do you throw and who do you throw with?

To knock off the rust I start off at 60 to 90 feet for the first two weeks then start building up. I throw at this place called Hack Shack, which is where I played summer baseball and it's a really nice complex where you get to throw with anyone who's not that busy and living in Texas, you get to throw outside everyday since the low so far this year has been 57 (degrees).

-Is there anything mandated from the Phillies that you have to work on improving this off-season?

The main goal going into this off-season was to get bigger and stronger and just get more consistent on my off-speed. I left Lakewood at 194 (pounds) and today when I checked I was 215 and I'm trying to go into the season about 220 to 225.

JZ & son
Jason Sr. along with Jason Jr., image- Jay Floyd
-What stands out as your top memory from last year, your first full professional season?

Best memory hands down has to be after every game my son came out and watched us play. I got to bring him onto the field and just watch him run around and just take it in because its the best feeling a dad can have! Also, was when I got to catch his first pitch before a game this year as well.

-Is it hard to be a dad during the season and what is that trip home like in September following a long season?

It's hard in a sense that I don't get to see him in person everyday, but during the season I was able to Skype him and see him grow. That people back in the day wouldn't have been able to do, since they didn't have cell phones or computers. The trip back home went by so fast just because I couldn't wait to be back home with family after not seeing them for about seven months.

-What are you doing to keep busy during the off-season? Do you have a job or do you work any sort of clinics or anything like that?

For part time work I'm actually an Uber driver until I go back down to Florida, hopefully in January. Also I'll give out pitching lessons here and there, just to get some extra money for the holidays. But being a Dad is also a job in itself, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

-Any other interesting details about your 2015 or your off-season worth sharing?

During the off-season I was lucky enough to win the community service award that the Philadelphia Phillies have been doing the past four years and got to go to Citizens Bank Park and get introduced on the field and meet some of the guys. I thought I would be nervous meeting some of the guys but I already knew most of them from spring training and having some guys rehab start down in Lakewood for us. So that was a great experience and I was able to share it with my son as well.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes