Baseball’s Angel Zarate will graduate in this weekend’s 2022 Spring Commencement ceremony with a degree in Management and Society. He earned the 2021 S.H. Basnight Award for Most Valuable Player. The following is a Question & Answer from our Student-Athlete Spotlight series.

Q: What’s your favorite Chapel Hill Restaurant?

Angel Zarate: Buns. They give you a big serving and a lot of fries. It’s kind of on the expensive side, but it’s worth it.

Q: If you could play any other sport at Carolina, what would it be?

AZ: I would play basketball so I could get free Jordans.

Q: Who’s your all time favorite Tar Heel?

AZ: Dallas Tessar

Q: Bell Tower or Old Well?

AZ: I’ve never taken a sip out of the Old Well, so I’m going to say Bell Tower.

Q: What’s your favorite jersey?

AZ: I love the Navys. Navy jersey.

Q: What is your favorite podcast?

AZ: Joe Rogan and Elon Musk. I don’t know the title of it, but it’s mind-blowing.

Q: RJ or Rameses?

AZ: I guess I’ve got to go Rameses on that one.

Q: If you could have any Super Power what would it be? Why?

AZ: Teleportation so I could go anywhere.

Q: What’s your Nickname and how’d you get it?

AZ: Some of the coaches just call me Z because my last name starts with a z and it’s easy.

Q: What are 3 things you can’t live without?

AZ: Music, Netflix, Family

Q: Post workout snack?

AZ: Evolve protein shake.

Q: What is your pre-game ritual?

AZ: It starts the day before. But I guess just getting dressed the same way before every game. Before going up tp bat, putting on my gloves that same way and my gear on the same way. It’s a whole process. It’s a lot.

Q: Walk up song?

AZ: Role Models by J. Cole.

Q: Describe your favorite Tar Heel victory.

AZ: The 2019 ACC Tournament against Miami in the Semifinals. We were down by 5 runs and we came back and won. That was a fun victory that I will never forget.

Q: What does playing for Carolina mean to you?

AZ: It means a lot. You come here and you’re just a part of this big family. I’ve always wanted to be a Tar Heel. It was the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m forever grateful.

Q: Share how Rams Club members have made an impact on your experience at Carolina.

AZ: I’m forever grateful to be here. I’ve always wanted to come here and without Rams Club members, this wouldn’t be possible. So for them to just be a part of giving me this opportunity is just really awesome.