Right-hander Cole Zaffiro, a standout pitcher for the University of Pennsylvania, has signed with the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the MLB Draft.
Zaffiro, who played a crucial role as the ace of Penn’s rotation in 2024, earned second-team All-Ivy honors. His impressive performance helped Penn secure its second consecutive Ivy League Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA regional. Leading all Ivy pitchers in innings pitched (77.2) and strikeouts (96), Zaffiro showcased his skills throughout the season.
RELATED: Yankees Select Vandy Pitcher from Headland in MLB Draft
Early in the year, Zaffiro earned back-to-back Ivy League Pitcher of the Week honors after dominant starts against Lafayette and Brown. He achieved a career-high 11 strikeouts over seven shutout innings against Brown and struck out nine over six scoreless innings against Lafayette.
Zaffiro’s postseason performance was equally impressive. He was named to the All-Ivy League Tournament team after striking out nine over six innings against Columbia and securing a win in relief against Cornell, allowing just one run in three innings with six strikeouts.
In 2023, Zaffiro earned first-team All-Ivy honors, leading the Quakers in innings pitched (72.0) and WHIP (1.14). He was second on the team in strikeouts (80) and third in opponents’ batting average (.211). His highlight of the season came against Samford in the NCAA regional, where he struck out eight over eight innings, allowing just two runs on four hits, earning him a spot on the NCAA All-Regional team.
RELATED:New York Yankees May Trade Spencer Jones for White Sox Ace
Over his four-year career at Penn, Zaffiro compiled a 13-8 record with a 4.05 ERA in 44 appearances, making 37 starts. He logged 198.0 innings and struck out 225 batters, the second-most in program history.
Zaffiro’s signing with the Yankees follows a successful week for Penn baseball players, with Jackson Appel being drafted by the Chicago White Sox and Eli Trop by the Philadelphia Phillies. Zaffiro joins fellow Penn alumnus Jake Cousins in the Yankees organization.
