Athlete of the Week is Michael Zeis of Glenn baseball
Michael Zeis Credit: Matt Rocchio
Michael Zeis has been absolutely tearing the cover off the ball for Glenn this season.
The senior reached base 11 consecutive times to start the season and is hitting .765 through five games. A change in hitting coach has helped him display newfound power. He has crushed four home runs, the same amount he hit last season.
“I think the biggest thing for me was going to Gregg Downing at five tool,” Zeis said. “That’s my new hitting coach and he’s just brought my power to a new level.”
Zeis is Newsday’s Athlete of the Week. The catcher possesses a blend of strong defense and a powerful bat that he hopes will earn him All-State honors. A new approach and confident outlook may be the keys to his torrid start and achieving that goal.
“The main thing is confidence up there; you just have to believe that you can hit this guy,” Zeis said. “I also really try to stay right\-centerfield gap, over the second baseman’s head and that’s been working for me pretty well so far.”
Zeis has speed that is not customarily a trait of catchers. He bats leadoff and has stolen three bases. That number would likely be higher with more opportunities, but his nine-extra base hits have reduced his need to run.
His position isn’t just about physical skills, part of it is mental. He must be in sync with numerous pitchers and know how to call the game. He must also at times be the voice that helps his pitchers regain their form.
“It really depends on the pitcher, some guys you have to talk to nicely and tell them they’re going to be fine and tell them what they have to correct” Zeis said. “Some guys need to be yelled at and just told let’s go, you got this.”
Zeis was a member of the Glenn basketball team this year and describes himself as a player “who takes pride in his defense but can hit a shot if you need him to.” The communication necessary in basketball has helped him sharpen that skill for use on the baseball field.
The St. Thomas Aquinas commit isn’t normally superstitious, but he certainly wants to keep this hot streak going. The key to that may be all in the socks.
“I’ve been wearing the same socks, obviously washed though,” Zeis said. “It just kind of happened, I didn’t even realize at first.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
