Zach Levenson needed just two years at Miami to get the experience needed to turn pro.
Levenson, who arrived at UM after two years at a junior college, was picked by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round with the 158th pick of the MLB draft on Monday.
“Zach is a guy that definitely, I think, can do well at the next level just because of his approach and being consistent,” former Miami coach Gino DiMare said.
Levenson, an Oviedo native, is the fifth Hurricane to be drafted. Third baseman Yohandy Morales and closer Andrew Walters were picked on Sunday night, while first baseman C.J. Kayfus and pitcher Alejandro Rosario were selected on Monday.
The 158th overall pick has a bonus slot value of $381,300.
Levenson arrived in Coral Gables in 2022 and quickly became a key part of Miami’s lineup. He hit .300 with a .951 OPS and seven home runs. However, he committed three errors on 32 chances in the outfield and had a .903 fielding percentage.
DiMare said Levenson worked hard to improve his outfield defense, and the outfielder did not commit an error in 124 chances in 2023.
“Zach improved a lot — and I mean a lot — in the outfield,” DiMare said. “He got a lot better getting to balls, angles, jumps Just a lot better from that standpoint.”
Levenson’s bat remained solid through 2023. He hit .292 but hit 14 home runs and posted a .951 OPS for the second year in a row.
“Offensively,” DiMare said. “I said this on a number of occasions this year, he probably had the most professional approach of our hitters. … He was just very consistent. Zach was the same every day. He had the same approach. He just did a great job, like a professional.”
