TUCSON -- Zach Gibbons was headed to California to begin his 2015 summer season with the Conejo Oaks when his cellphone rang. New Arizona baseball coach Jay Johnson, hired in early June to replace retiring Andy Lopez, was calling to introduce himself to the three-year starting outfielder from Scottsdale.
“I knew something was special because not many coaches will call and ask how can I help in any single way,” said Gibbons, whose junior year was such a disappointment that he was not selected in the 40-round major league draft. Nor was UA pitcher Nathan Bannister of Peoria.