Former ECU pitcher and 2017 MLB Draft pick Evan Kruczynski reflects on his first year in the minors and his return to Pirate Nation

Evan Kruczynski, known to Pirate Nation as "Kruz," left his mark on ECU by leading the program to its first American Athletic Conference title under head coach Cliff Godwin. The Pirates went on to secure the program's first-ever super regional win, 8-6, against No. 5 national seed Texas Tech in the 2016 Lubbock Super Regional. Now, Kruz is back in Greenville, finishing his degree and interning with the baseball team, before returning to the Midwest for his second season in the minor league.
 
"I wouldn't trade my experience at ECU, with the class that I came in with, for anything," said Kruczynski.
 
Following his collegiate senior season, Kruczynski was selected 274th overall in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and was named First-Team Senior CLASS Award All-American.
 
"It was the best day of my life. I stayed in Greenville for the draft and was able to spend it with teammates, coaches and my dad. It was a day I'll never forget."
 
He hopes to follow a similar path to former ECU pitcher Seth Maness, who was an 11th round draft pick to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2011 MLB Draft.
 
"It would be awesome to follow in his footsteps," said Kruczynski.
 
Kruczynski posted a 4-3 record for his first year in the minor leagues. He pitched for the Class A Peoria Chiefs after a short appearance in rookie ball.  He led the Chiefs to their third-straight post-season appearance, ultimately falling in the first round of the Midwest League playoffs to the Quad Cities River Bandits.
 
While in Illinois, Kruczynski was placed with a host family only three hours from his home in Wisconsin.
 
"My family was able to come watch me pitch again. For the first time since high school, my grandparents got to see me on the mound. It's nice being in the Midwest again."
 
Following the season, Kruczynski returned to Greenville to finish his bachelor's degree in recreation and park management by completing a semester-long internship with the ECU baseball team.
 
"It's nice being around the team again, watching them prepare for the upcoming season," he said.
 
Internship requirements for Kruczynski include taking care of the baseball facilities, assisting ECU pitching coach Dan Roszel in the bullpen, setting up for practice and using his playing experience to mentor the current Pirates, among other responsibilities.
 
"It's different seeing things from the other side of it. It's good to give back to the program that treated me so well for four years."
 
Kruczynski is able to utilize ECU's facilities to stay in shape while he's not competing on the diamond. He credits Pirate graduate assistant Wily Jackson as well as former teammate and current volunteer assistant Eric Tyler as always being his throwing partners when he needs them. 
 
"The Cardinals have given me a heavy workout regimen. Now's the time to get strong and healthy," he said.  
 
Thinking long-term, Kruczynski's goal is to one day become a collegiate pitching coach, using his internship opportunity at ECU as a launching point. Short-term goals for the lefty include climbing the ladder in the minors, in hopes of reaching Double-A or Triple-A levels next season.
 
On the professional mound, he now faces players from all over the world. Guys who fit the three-, four-hole spot in every collegiate lineup. Those players now make up the entire roster.
 
"You see the game from a different perspective. You're calling your own game, it's your job."
 
In terms of team atmosphere, he recognizes that he's playing with and against a bunch of talented guys. He acknowledges that at this level, players are fighting against one another to advance in the league.
 
"If you're not getting your business done and doing the right things, you won't be putting yourself in the right situation to move up."
 
Kruczynski is eager to button up and head out west for his second season in the minors. In the meantime, he's enjoying the opportunity to be back on familiar dirt. 
 
For more about Kruczynski's career, click here.