| Lance Zawadzki | |
|---|---|
Zawadzki in 2010 spring training with the Padres |
|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: May 26, 1985 Framingham, Massachusetts |
|
| Bats: Switch | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| May 2, 2010 for the San Diego Padres | |
| Career statistics (through 2011 Season) |
|
| Batting average | .200 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 1 |
| Teams | |
Lance Frederick Zawadzki (born May 26, 1985 in Framingham, Massachusetts) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.
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Zawadzki graduated from St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts in 2003. He was drafted straight out of high school in the 48th Round by the Montreal Expos. Choosing to go to college instead of playing in the minor leagues, he committed to attend Louisiana State University and after one year transferred to San Diego State University before the spring of 2004.[1]
On March 11, 2004, Zawadzki became the first person to get a hit at Petco Park when he doubled off the wall as a freshman for San Diego State against Houston. It was the first game played at the stadium.[2][3]
During the 2005 summer, Zawadzki played for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod Baseball League in Massachusetts alongside teammates Daniel Bard and Justin Masterson.
Following the 2006 season, Zawadzki was taken in the 15th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He did not sign and transferred to Lee University, which played in the 2007 NAIA World Series.
He was selected by the San Diego Padres in 4th Round (147th overall) of 2007 amateur entry draft. In 2007 he appeared in 10 games for the Arizona League Padres and 25 for the Eugene Emeralds, hitting a combined .305
In 2008 he primarily played with the Fort Wayne Wizards in the Single-A Midwest League, hitting .273. In 2009 he split the season between the Advanced A Lake Elsinore Storm and the AA San Antonio Missions and hit .285 combined in 128 games.
Zawadzki made his professional debut with the Padres on May 2, 2010 against the Milwaukee Brewers and recorded his first major league hit (a single) in his first at-bat, becoming the first baseball player from Lee University to play in the Major Leagues.[4] He appeared in only 20 games for the Padres, primarily at second base, and hit .200. In the minors that season, he was in 35 games for San Antonio and 61 for the AAA Portland Beavers, hitting .225.
On November 5, 2010, Zawadzki was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals. He received an invitation to the Royals' Big League camp for the 2011 Spring Training. However, he spent all of the 2011 season in the minor leagues with the Omaha Storm Chasers, where he hit .233 in 91 games. He was released on October 10.
In November, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.