Meet Zachary Friedman, this week’s Campus Celeb!
Name: Zachary Friedman
Year: Senior
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Newport Beach, California
Job: Associate Scout with the Milwaukie Brewers (MLB).
HCO: How did you first get into scouting?
ZF: I have played baseball my whole life. When I reached college, I knew that I wanted to get into some aspect of baseball operations. I began to go to baseball games and scout players – creating my own portfolio. After going to several high school, college, and junior college games, I began to start passing around my scouting portfolio to major league baseball teams. In the spring, I received an Associate Scout offer from the Milwaukie Brewers. It took me a few months to accept; however, I accepted the position in November of 2013.
HCO: Can you please explain what you have learned about the different aspects of baseball operations?
ZF: I have learned enough to be able to write a book. But in all seriousness, I have learned to stick with my gut, trust my instincts, and continue every day to model the way.
HCO: What do you mean by model the way? Elaborate.
ZF: To set yourself accountable for your actions, to continue to work as hard as you possibly can, and never expect someone else to do something that you yourself wouldn’t do.
HCO: How long have you been working for the Brewers?
ZF: This upcoming year will be my third amateur Rule 4 draft with the Milwaukie Brewers.
HCO: What has been the most rewarding part about your job?
ZF: This might sound weird, but having scouts from other teams come up to me and ask, “Who are you?” Normally, after I tell them who I am, they respond with “Gosh, I see you everywhere.” Just knowing that other Scouts are recognizing my hard work and effort makes me feel accomplished.
HCO: What are your plans in the future with baseball? Do you plan on staying with the Brewers?
ZF: My plans for baseball in the future are kind of up in the air at the moment. I have nothing set in stone for next year, yet I have reached out to a few different organizations. I am opening continuing my career with any of the 30 teams, including the Brewers.
HCO: How do you manage being an accounting major with scouting? It is a lot of work?
ZF: It is a lot of work, but both are things that I love. I have worked 50 hours weeks before, yet there is nothing better than being able to go to a ball game after a long day of classes.
HCO: How does accounting tie in with Baseball? Do you wish to incorporate the two in the future?
ZF: Everything in the world ties back to money somehow and baseball is no different. Having a good foundation and being good with numbers is something that could be useful in anything that you do.
HCO: If you could tell yourself a piece of advice before starting this career path to be more prepared for major league baseball, what would it be?
ZF: I don’t know necessarily if I have a piece of advice for myself, but something that I would tell others is, get up and try to learn something new every day. Always strive to be the best and do your best, yet always knowing that if you get cocky this game will humble you in one second.