Rutgers Baseball: Vinny Zarrillo Signs with Patriots

Former Rutgers outfielder Vinny Zarrillo has signed with the Somerset Patriots, the club announced Sunday.

Zarrillo finished his Rutgers career with a strong 2015 campaign, batting .294/.347/.389, adding two homers and 25 RBIs, while starting all 55 of the Scarlet Knights’ contests. He led the team in plate appearances and at bats. He also served as a team captain.

The lefty enjoyed a successful career on the banks, especially during the 2014 season. Playing in every game that year, Zarrillo batted .328, and despite leaving the yard just once, still led the Scarlet Knights in RBIs with 43. After the season, he was named to the AAC third-team.

Former Rutgers outfielder Vinny Zarrillo (ScarletKnights.com).

Zarrillo has always been an on-base machine, finishing his Rutgers career with a .375 OBP in four seasons. He batted .667 during the 2014 AAC Tournament, earning all-tournament honors. He also won the 2013 Big East batting title, recording a .407 average during conference play as a sophomore.

The former Scarlet Knight joins an outfield in Somerset that includes MLB veterans Scott Cousins and Thomas Neal. The Patriots’ outfield also includes Michael Burgess and third-year Patriot Aharon Eggleston. Zarrillo takes the roster spot of the injured Jonny Tucker.

Rutgers fans do not need to travel far to see Zarrillo play, as the Patriots play at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, less than ten miles from the Rutgers campus.

Zarrillo is the second Rutgers baseball player to join a professional team this summer, after pitcher Mark McCoy was drafted in the 29^th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals.