Tukis lands free agent deal with Phillies
7/16/2024 8:13:00 PM | Baseball
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville University pitcher Zack Tukis has traveled an unlikely path to becoming a professional baseball player. After the MLB Draft concluded Tuesday, Tukis signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, becoming the first Marauder since 2019 to sign with an MLB club.
Tukis pitched in 19 games and 24 1/3 innings for the Marauders over three seasons and will forego his final season of eligibility to begin work in the minor leagues.
Several teams expressed interest in Tukis leading up to the draft but there were no promises. He was said to be in the mix starting in the 15th round and then received post-draft offers from the San Diego Padres and the Phillies.
"Both are great organizations, but the Phillies affiliates are all close to home, and they have a reputation for developing pitchers," said Tukis. "Getting to celebrate this with family is awesome. It was a lifetime dream, and they've been so supportive throughout the whole process."
While Tukis did not record a collegiate win or save, his fastball that reached the upper 90s and wipe-out slider caught the attention of professional scouts, and those scouts saw Tukis' tantalizing potential being realized during his redshirt junior season in 2024 as he allowed just 12 hits and struck out 32 batters in 21 innings of work.
Tukis came to Millersville without ever pitching an inning of varsity high school baseball. But he went to work at FullReps Training Center, building his velocity and developing additional pitches. Millersville head coach Jon Shehan took a flyer on Tukis, knowing he was a project but also knowing there was something special in his right arm. Tukis took a redshirt in 2021, pitched 1 1/3 innings in 2022 and just two innings in 2023. 2024 was his breakout season.
"It's been a crazy journey," said Tukis. "I talked to (Coach Jon Shehan) today about how I didn't play at all in high school, didn't play my first few years at Millersville, struggling with the mental side of the game. I can't thank the Millersville coaches enough."
"I couldn't be prouder of Zack," said Millersville head coach Jon Shehan. "He worked so hard to see his dreams come true. He got cut in high school, and he's a testament to what can happen when a talented guy sets a goal and really commits himself to it. This is a special story that deserves to be told, and the story may only be just beginning. I told him what I told our other picks through the years. 'The job isn't done.' The goal is to make the big leagues now."
Confidence in his abilities unlocked everything for Tukis, and the Phillies believe that reps and experience will only help.
"It was trusting my stuff," said Tukis of the improvement in 2024. "In years past I had some doubt if I could compete against hitters. This year I said 'what's the worst thing that can happen' and I trusted in my pitches and let hitters get themselves."
While scouts were often on hand for Tukis' outings in the spring, his stock continued to rise with his appearances with the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League this summer.
Tukis is scheduled to travel to the Phillies Florida complex in Clearwater for physicals and evaluations next week and will then be assigned to a minor league team. In the offseason, he plans to chip away at the few credits he needs to complete his business degree from Millersville.
Tukis is the 17th player to sign a professional contract in Shehan's 17 seasons at Millersville.
Tukis pitched in 19 games and 24 1/3 innings for the Marauders over three seasons and will forego his final season of eligibility to begin work in the minor leagues.
Several teams expressed interest in Tukis leading up to the draft but there were no promises. He was said to be in the mix starting in the 15th round and then received post-draft offers from the San Diego Padres and the Phillies.
"Both are great organizations, but the Phillies affiliates are all close to home, and they have a reputation for developing pitchers," said Tukis. "Getting to celebrate this with family is awesome. It was a lifetime dream, and they've been so supportive throughout the whole process."
While Tukis did not record a collegiate win or save, his fastball that reached the upper 90s and wipe-out slider caught the attention of professional scouts, and those scouts saw Tukis' tantalizing potential being realized during his redshirt junior season in 2024 as he allowed just 12 hits and struck out 32 batters in 21 innings of work.
Tukis came to Millersville without ever pitching an inning of varsity high school baseball. But he went to work at FullReps Training Center, building his velocity and developing additional pitches. Millersville head coach Jon Shehan took a flyer on Tukis, knowing he was a project but also knowing there was something special in his right arm. Tukis took a redshirt in 2021, pitched 1 1/3 innings in 2022 and just two innings in 2023. 2024 was his breakout season.
"It's been a crazy journey," said Tukis. "I talked to (Coach Jon Shehan) today about how I didn't play at all in high school, didn't play my first few years at Millersville, struggling with the mental side of the game. I can't thank the Millersville coaches enough."
"I couldn't be prouder of Zack," said Millersville head coach Jon Shehan. "He worked so hard to see his dreams come true. He got cut in high school, and he's a testament to what can happen when a talented guy sets a goal and really commits himself to it. This is a special story that deserves to be told, and the story may only be just beginning. I told him what I told our other picks through the years. 'The job isn't done.' The goal is to make the big leagues now."
Confidence in his abilities unlocked everything for Tukis, and the Phillies believe that reps and experience will only help.
"It was trusting my stuff," said Tukis of the improvement in 2024. "In years past I had some doubt if I could compete against hitters. This year I said 'what's the worst thing that can happen' and I trusted in my pitches and let hitters get themselves."
While scouts were often on hand for Tukis' outings in the spring, his stock continued to rise with his appearances with the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League this summer.
Tukis is scheduled to travel to the Phillies Florida complex in Clearwater for physicals and evaluations next week and will then be assigned to a minor league team. In the offseason, he plans to chip away at the few credits he needs to complete his business degree from Millersville.
Tukis is the 17th player to sign a professional contract in Shehan's 17 seasons at Millersville.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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