Matt Szczur
Encyclopedia
Matthew Szczur is an American
professional baseball
center fielder
in the Chicago Cubs
' farm system. He played college football
and baseball at Villanova University
prior to signing a professional contract with the Cubs in January 2011..
, and grew up in Erma, New Jersey
, He attended Lower Cape May Regional High School
, where he earned varsity letters in football, baseball, and track and field. Szczur was drafted in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
out of high school by the Los Angeles Dodgers
in the 38th round, but decided to attend Villanova University instead.
organization, which drafted him in the fifth-round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft
. He received a $100,000 signing bonus, with an additional $500,000 if he declined to attend the NFL combine and made a written commitment to baseball before February 10, 2011. He was assigned to the club's short season Class-A team, the Boise Hawks
, and first appeared in uniform July 8, 2010. He was then promoted to the club's mid-A team, the Peoria Chiefs
on July 27, 2010. He hit .347 in 25 games in 2010.
After the 2010 season, Szczur committed to baseball and signed a $1.5 million deal with the Cubs in January 2011. As he was released from his initial contract and signed a new contract to receive the bonus, he will be eligible in the 2011 Rule 5 draft
if not added to the Cubs' 40 man roster.
On July 9, 2011, Szczur was assigned to the Class A-Advanced Daytona Cubs
roster.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
in the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
' farm system. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
and baseball at Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
prior to signing a professional contract with the Cubs in January 2011..
Early life
Szczur was born in Cape May Court House, New JerseyCape May Court House, New Jersey
Cape May Court House is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Middle Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,704...
, and grew up in Erma, New Jersey
Erma, New Jersey
Erma is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lower Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, He attended Lower Cape May Regional High School
Lower Cape May Regional High School
The Lower Cape May Regional High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Lower Township, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Lower Cape May Regional School District. LCMRHS serves students from four communities in Cape May County as part of the Lower Cape...
, where he earned varsity letters in football, baseball, and track and field. Szczur was drafted in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
out of high school by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in the 38th round, but decided to attend Villanova University instead.
College
Szczur played wide receiver and special teams for the Wildcats football team. He also played center field for the baseball team. He gained 270 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns in a winning effort in the 2009 FCS National Championship.Professional Baseball
Szczur signed a contract with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
organization, which drafted him in the fifth-round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft
2010 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.-First-round selections:The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team picking first.Key...
. He received a $100,000 signing bonus, with an additional $500,000 if he declined to attend the NFL combine and made a written commitment to baseball before February 10, 2011. He was assigned to the club's short season Class-A team, the Boise Hawks
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks are a minor league baseball team, located in Boise, Idaho. The team is currently a farm team for the Chicago Cubs and play in the Short-Season Class A Northwest League.-History:...
, and first appeared in uniform July 8, 2010. He was then promoted to the club's mid-A team, the Peoria Chiefs
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, from Peoria, Illinois. They play in the Midwest League....
on July 27, 2010. He hit .347 in 25 games in 2010.
After the 2010 season, Szczur committed to baseball and signed a $1.5 million deal with the Cubs in January 2011. As he was released from his initial contract and signed a new contract to receive the bonus, he will be eligible in the 2011 Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
if not added to the Cubs' 40 man roster.
On July 9, 2011, Szczur was assigned to the Class A-Advanced Daytona Cubs
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs are a minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team plays in the Florida State League , and is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs major league club. The Cubs play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans.The...
roster.