SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State senior pitcher Zachary Leigh was selected by the Chicago Cubs on the third day of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. His selection marks the 18th year in the last 19 that a Bobcat has been chosen in the draft.

"Thank you to the Cubs for this opportunity," said Leigh. "This is a dream come true and I can't wait to get to work!"
 
Chicago chose the right-hander with the in the 16th round with the 484th overall pick. He is the 74th Texas State draftee and the fourth chosen by the Cubs joining Darren Dreyer (1992), Tyler Pearson (2014) and Josh Walter (2007).
 
"I couldn't be more fired up for Zac and his family to see his dream of getting drafted come true. As a walk-on two-way player out of high school, he just continued to work hard and always pitched with an edge about him," said head coach Steven Trout. "He's one of the most competitive players we've had the privilege to coach. I can't wait to follow his career and I'm very thankful for all he did for Texas State."
 
Leigh concluded his Bobcat career with 204 strikeouts, the eighth most in program history, and is the 10th Bobcat hurler to surpass 200 career strikeouts. He posted a 12-13 with six saves over 70 appearances including 29 starts.
 
On April 1 against rival UT Arlington, the right-hander threw a complete game, three-hit shutout and struck out seven in a 2-0 win. His performance on the mound earned him Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week honors.
 
The shortened 2020 season saw Leigh go 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA and strikeout a career-high 11 against Bethune-Cookman in his final start of the season in six shutout innings. He would follow by striking out 10 in the 2021 season opener against BYU in four innings to be named one of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Players of the Week.
 
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