C.J. Ziegler

Craig James Ziegler

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 245 lb.
• School Pima Community College, University of Arizona
• High School Canyon del Oro High School

• Born November 27, 1985 in Tucson, AZ USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

First baseman C.J. Ziegler played professionally from 2008 to 2015. After a decent two-year stint in the San Francisco Giants chain, he embarked on a solid career in independent ball.

He was drafted twice. Initially, he was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 37th round of the 2007 amateur draft, a few picks after pitcher Scott Alexander, but opted not to sign. He did sign after being taken by the Giants in the 16th round of the 2008 amateur draft, a few picks ahead of utilityman Tyler Moore. He was signed by scout Chuck Hensley.

After posting a .268/.357/.431 line with 14 home runs and 94 RBI in 143 games between the AZL Giants, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Augusta GreenJackets and San Jose Giants in 2008 and 2009, he signed on with the independent Traverse City Beach Bums in 2010, hitting 13 home runs with 53 RBI in 93 games with them. In 2011, he hit .335/.438/.658 with 24 homers and 79 RBI in 75 games between the Calgary Vipers and Lake County Fielders and in 2012, he hit .320/.408/.631 with 18 home runs and 61 RBI in 58 games for the Wichita Wingnuts. He also played for the Olmecas de Tabasco in the Mexican League that year, but hit below .200 in 77 at-bats. In 2013, back with Wichita, he hit .318/.408/.645 with 30 home runs and 99 RBI in 100 games (earning the Baseball America Independent League Player of the Year honor), though he slipped to .276/.357/.446 with 17 homers and 79 RBI for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in 2014. The Minnesota Twins had signed him for 2014, but released him before the year began. In 2015, he wrapped up his career by hitting .261/.369/.400 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI in 49 games for the Lincoln Saltdogs.

He was frequently at or near the top of multiple leaderboards. In 2008, he led the Arizona League in RBI with 43 and sacrifice flies with 8. He tied Terrell Alliman and Franklin Hernandez for the lead in doubles with 17. He tied Alcibiades Made, Randy Molina and Joel Weeks for second in the league in double plays grounded into with 7, behind Aaron Murphree's 11. In 2012, he was second in the American Association in slugging percentage, with his .631 mark trailing Eric Campbell's .655. In 2013, he was one of multiple players to lead the AA in games played with 100. He also paced the loop in home runs, RBI and total bases (245). He tied multiple players for second in intentional walks (4), behind Matt Padgett's 5. He was also second behind Padgett in slugging percentage (.645, to Padgett's .650) and OPS (1.053 to Padgett's 1.092).

Overall, Ziegler hit .281/.373/.501 with 124 home runs and 499 RBI in 672 games over 8 seasons. In indy ball, he hit .288/.382/.527 with 108 home runs and 396 RBI in 507 games. His independent league journey took him through the Frontier League, North American League, American Association and Atlantic League. He was a NAL All-Star in 2011 and an AA All-Star in 2013.

Related Sites

• Arizona bio