2018 Mets draft profile: Zachary Rheams

Name: Zachary Rheams

Born: Angleton, Texas

Age: 22 (07/05/96)

Height/Weight: 6’0”/230 lbs.

Position: SS

Bats/Throws: L/L

School: Texas Tech University

A graduate of Brazoswood High School in Texas, Zach Rheams initially attended Cisco College in Cisco, Texas. In his first year there, the power hitting first baseman hit .385 and slugged seven home runs, helping lead Cisco College to the NJCAA College World Series and earning a spot on the First Team All-Conference for the Region V Athletic Conference. He was even better in 2016, hitting an impressive .481/.570/.846 with 17 home runs, earning another First Team All-Conference as well as being named NJCAA All-American. He transferred to Texas Tech for his junior year and struggled his first year there, appearing in 20 games and hitting .133/.322/.289. He rebounded quite nicely in 2018, helping lead Texas Tech to the deep into the College World Series, pacing the Red Raiders with seventeen home runs.

A power hitter, Rheams has a slightly open stance at the plate. He uses a very slight leg kick and does not have an explosive load, generating most of his power from his thick 6’, 230-pound frame. Like the majority of left-handers, his power zone is down and in. He a studious hitter and generally comes to the plate with an idea of what the pitcher throws, waiting on certain pitches. This has led to a slightly elevated strikeout rate, but because he is a power threat, pitchers respect him and he draws his fair share of walks to mitigate the strikeouts.

While at Cisco College, Rheams primarily played first base and DHed. While he has primarily DHed at Texas Tech as well, he has added middle infield to his repertoire.