COLUMBIA, Mo. — The coronavirus pandemic struck out Peter Zimmermann’s final college baseball season, but the Missouri slugger received an unexpected and unprecedented second chance. Like a two-strike foul tip, Zimmermann’s college career stayed alive thanks to the NCAA’s decision to give spring sport seniors another year of eligibility.
For Mizzou, the coronavirus spoiled a promising season but in turn might have bolstered the Tigers’ roster for next year.
Mizzou expected to have as many as eight players and four signed recruits chosen in next month’s MLB draft. But with that trimmed from 40 to five rounds to limit spending during the pandemic-fueled shutdown, Mizzou’s roster turnover should be minimal.