It would be safe to say that Zach Von Rosenberg has come a long way since he first set foot on the baseball diamond.
Like many ballplayers, the Zachary (La.) senior began his baseball career as a youngster at the T-ball level.
“I played in the outfield, where all of the ‘worst’ players played in T-ball,” said Von Rosenberg, who is ranked No. 41 on the MaxPreps Top 100.
Zachary Von Rosenberg, Zachary (La.)
Courtesy photo
Winning is nothing new for Von Rosenberg, however. In fact, he really doesn’t know any other way. As a freshman, Von Rosenberg was a starter on a Barbe team that won the 5A state championship. He posted a 10-1 record (including a win in the state final) with a 1.30 ERA that year and also batted .474 for the Bucs.
A move to Zachary as a sophomore did nothing to slow down Von Rosenberg’s winning ways. He went 9-4 on the mound and posted a 1.84 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 72 innings in leading the Broncos to a 4A state title. He was also stellar at the plate with a .419 average and 39 RBI.
It was more of the same last year. Although he missed part of the season due to an injury when he was hit in the eye by a ground ball, Von Rosenberg still managed to go 12-1 with 117 strikeouts in 82 innings and a 0.49 ERA. He also batted over .400 and led Zachary to yet another state title.
As a senior, Von Rosenberg and the Broncos are once again in the hunt for a Louisiana state championship. After an 8-0 win over Breaux Bridge last week and a 10-0 win over Live Oak on Saturday, Zachary is in the semifinals and will face Belle Chase. Zachary is currently ranked second in the state at the 4A level behind Sam Houston.
Von Rosenberg, who stands 6-foot-5, pitched in both playoff wins. Against Breaux Bridge, he gave up just one hit and struck out 10 in five innings of work. He also went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
He was even better against Live Oak four days later, striking out 14 in six innings and allowing just four baserunners. Von Rosenberg, who is 9-1-1 on the season, would likely pitch again in the state finals if Zachary gets past Belle Chase this week.
For the season, Von Rosenberg has a 0.49 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 84 innings pitched. He also is batting .481 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI. He's shown his speed on the basepaths as well with 28 stolen bases.
The winner of the Mr. Baseball award for Louisiana last year, Von Rosenberg is used to pitching in big games.
“I think pitching in big games is my strength,” said Von Rosenberg, who has signed to play for the LSU Tigers next season. “I’m sure I do the same things as everyone else except that I take more time and pay more attention to detail in what I do. It’s why I like Josh Beckett. He loves the big games just like me.”
Von Rosenberg also notes that a high level of competitiveness motivates him to succeed.
“Never let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do,” he said. “I’ve been told I can’t my whole life and I’m proving them all wrong.”
The Broncos are headed toward a third straight championship and have two games left to win before wearing the crown once again.
“I expect us to win our third state title in a row. We refuse to lose in big games,” Von Rosenberg said. “We have a scrappy team with good players and most importantly we believe we will win.”
Von Rosenberg realizes that one big roadblock stands in the way of a title.
“Sam Houston will be our toughest competition. They have many great players and an all-around good team. I would expect that we will meet them in the finals.”
Von Rosenberg honed his skills at a young age, working with his dad and brother. They also instilled in him the will to win.
“They taught me great pitching mechanics and most importantly they taught me to be a competitor,” he said. “I hate to lose at anything.”
An all-around athlete, Von Rosenberg has been one of the top punters in football the past two seasons, earning all-state honors at that position as a junior and a senior. His father was a football standout in high school but chose a career in the Army and enrolled at West Point rather than test his football skills at the college level.
Von Rosenberg may face a similar decision next month. Expected to be chosen in the Major League draft in June, Von Rosenberg will have to choose between going pro and attending LSU.
“When I first started playing baseball I knew I would at least play in college. I would watch baseball games for hours. It was a dream that I had to fulfill,” said Von Rosenberg. “But it has also always been my dream to play pro ball.”
While that decision awaits him next month, Belle Chase awaits this week and then there is the potential showdown against No. 1 Sam Houston. It’s a challenge Von Rosenberg is looking forward to.
“We have not played to our potential yet,” he said. “We still have adjustment to make, but we will be there in the end.”
