Youngstown State senior relief pitcher and outfielder Eric Marzec has been recognized as the top professional baseball prospect in the Horizon League by Baseball America in its college preview edition.
Marzec, a native of Canton, Ohio, was also picked to be a first-team all-league pick as a utility player because of his dual role. YSU senior Jacke Healey was predicted to be a first-team selection at designated hitter.
Marzec has been a second-team all-league pick at utility in each of the past two seasons. Last year he batted .289 with six home runs, 27 RBIs and 22 runs scored despite missing more than a month with an injury to his glove hand. Marzec finished as the team leader in slugging percentage, and he was leading the club in home runs before his injury. On the mound, Marzec had a 2.40 ERA and two saves in his 15 innings out of the bullpen. He had 20 strikeouts and six walks in 17 innings overall in 2009.
Healey was a first-team all-league selection at shortstop in 2009, which was his first season at YSU after transferring from Potomac State College. He hit a team-high eight home runs and 17 doubles, and he also led YSU in RBIs, runs scored and total bases.
Baseball America mirrored the Horizon League preseason poll in its prediction of the final standings. The publication picked Wright State to win the conference and UIC, Milwaukee, Valparaiso, YSU, Cleveland State and Butler to follow.
Courtesy: YSU Sports Information
