by CHRIS IRELAND
Sports Reporter

Last Friday at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium, Appalachian State University closer Zach Quate pitched one inning, struck out three batters and sealed a win for his team over Wofford College.

It would be an impressive outing for most, but for Quate it is expected.

“In my career as a player and as a coach, I’ve never been around a pitcher as automatic as Zach,” head coach Chris Pollard said. “As soon as [he] steps on the mound, there’s a sense that the game is over.”

Appalachian State University senior relief pitcher Zach Quate anticipates entering the Major League Baseball draft after this season. This year, Quate has collected 10 saves and has posted an ERA of 0.56. Photo by ASU Athletics/Marc DeRose

Quate leads Appalachian with 10 saves on the season. The senior has struck out 42 batters in 32 innings of work while compiling a 0.56 ERA.

Quate’s success has caught the eye of several pro scouts, who are constantly inquiring about his next outing.

“I get calls every week about him,” Pollard said. “Just last night I was getting takeout with my wife when a scout called to ask me if he was pitching soon.”

Quate said up to 14 MLB teams have questioned him about playing at the next level.

Interest has mainly come from the east coast, where big-market teams like the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees have taken a look at the Raleigh native.

“It’s kind of overwhelming sometimes,” Quate said. “It’s a childhood dream to play professional baseball. I hope it happens, I’m excited about it.”

The pressure of being on the big leagues’ radar can make what is left of their college careers secondary for some.
Quate, however, remains focused on closing for Appalachian.

“Every time I go out, I just take it one pitch at a time,” he said. “If you don’t do that, you’ll mess up. I just focus on doing my job for the team.”

Helping him do his job is fellow reliever Chris Patterson, who often serves as Quate’s set-up man in the bullpen. The two work together through practices, throwing drills and offseason workouts.

“We’ve become pretty good friends,” Patterson said. “We hang out off the field a good bit. We kid around a lot and try to push each other. It makes us better.”

Seeing Quate in action almost every day, Patterson believes his friend and teammate is ready for the professional ranks.

“I can definitely see him pitching at the next level,” he said. “His stuff is really good. He doesn’t talk about it a lot, but I think he’s confident.”

As for where Quate will land, that is still uncertain. However, that doesn’t mean he has no preference.

“Well, my mom is a big [Atlanta] Braves fan, but my dad loves Boston,” Quate said. “So if I had to pick I’d say one of those two teams.”

Where he lands seems secondary to Quate. As long as his childhood dream is realized, he will be happy.

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