Randolph grad Brett Zaziski's improbable road to pro ball

Brett Zaziski had almost given up on his baseball dreams. He was in spring training with the independent Sussex County Miners, but got released. He went home to Randolph and kept working out, hoping to catch on with another team.

Zaziski was "about to give up" two months later, paying to play day to day with the Pequannock Patriots of the Morris Majors. His phone rang at 9-ish on a Saturday night. Miners manager Brent Metheny was trying to fill a spot in the infield -- immediately.

Infielder Frank Salerno had gotten a job and left the team, the night before a doubleheader.

Zaziski responded, "Great, I'll see you tomorrow." He started both games of the doubleheader against the New Jersey Jackals, and is now a fixture at first base for Sussex.

Zaziski joined one of his former Randolph teammates, reliever Michael Suk, with the Miners.

"I love it," said Zaziski, who is batting .278 with a .480 on-base percentage in seven games.

"It feels real. Playing every day, there's nothing I'd rather do."

Brett Zaziski will be the Daily Record's Down on the Farm featured minor leaguer on Thursday.