Q & A With Zach Neal
Published on June 13, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
MIDLAND, TX - Zach Neal comes into Midland with a slight advantage over most players; he is used to the West Texas wind...and he is used to winning in it. Neal was a part of the 2009 Junior College World Series-winning team that went 63-1 at Howard Junior College in Big Spring. He returns to West Texas this season and has been blowing batters away like they were tumbleweed. He is tied for the team lead in strikeouts and second in innings pitched. I was able to avoid a strikeout and catch up with Zach.
Q: How do you feel about your performance so far this season?
A: I feel good about it. It is my first season with Oakland, and I think it's been going pretty well. I just try to do the same thing every time, stick to my routines.
Q: What motivates you the most?
A: What gets me going is knowing [that] you only have one chance to play. There is the ultimate goal to make it to the big leagues. Having a ten-year career in the big leagues, that's what drives me as well, to get there and stay there. For me, you only have one career, and you should take full advantage the best you can every day. If you aren't doing that, you shouldn't be doing it. You should find something else to do. A lot of guys take advantage of this opportunity, and I don't want to do is spoil the good opportunity that Oakland has given me. I try to think about that every day I come in the yard.
Q: Who would you say was your childhood idol?
A: I always watched Roger Clemens pitch in high school. I was a big Josh Beckett fan. Watching him with the Red Sox was cool. I liked the way he threw in his prime.
Q: What is your greatest achievement in baseball so far?
A; Professionally, I would say playing with Oakland in Double-A. This is as high as I've gotten and it's with one of the more respectable teams in baseball, so, for me, that's an achievement in itself. I think pitching in the College World Series [at the University of Oklahoma] is an accomplishment. I think winning the Junior College World Series is an accomplishment. Doing what I have been able to do is pretty special.
Q: Besides wins and losses, what would you say is the most important stat to you?
A: For a starting pitcher, I would say innings pitched. Innings pitched is big. Innings pitched, ERA, walks, and, for Oakland, what is big is WHIP-walks and hits per innings pitched. That's what I look at. Wins and losses are important too, but as a starting pitcher, I want to be a guy that posts a 3.00 ERA, and I want to lead in innings. I want to be that guy that will go out there and compete for 6-8 innings every time. That's what's important to me...going out there each time they give me ball and competing, whether I give up 8 or I give up 9, it's about saving the team and saving the bullpen.
Q: You grew up in the Dallas area, you played at Howard, you're here in Midland, what's it been like to play this much in Texas, close to home?
A: It's been a blessing really. I spent last year in Double-A with the Marlins, and that was in the Southern League. The shortest trip for anyone to make to come see me if we were there was eight hours, so to be able to see my family and my girlfriend more, it's been awesome. I feel like everywhere I go, I see someone I know. I have family in San Antonio; in Frisco, I have 80 people on the pass list. I think that has a lot to do with my success as well. It's that feeling that comes with playing on a field that has a Texas flag behind it.
Q: We are going to step away from baseball for a moment. What sport would you play professionally if you didn't play baseball?
A: It would be PGA Golf.
Q: In the clubhouse, who would you say is the funniest guy?
A: The biggest clown is Miles [Head]. He is the kind of guy that you just walk in, and he instantly starts saying stupid stuff. You know being a jokester with him. He is always telling fibs and saying stupid things. He keeps it light. I'd say for the most part we have a really light clubhouse and we always joke around with each other. Nothing gets too serious in there. It's a long season, and we want to keep that edge a little bit.
Q: What kind of things do you like to do for fun?
A: In the off-season, I go duck hunting a lot. I play golf, hang out with family and the girl, go to the beach, and just relax. When the off-season hits, I don't do anything but hang out and do what I want to do for a little while.
Q: Lastly, if you could say anything to young kids that want to be pro pitchers to inspire them, what would it be?
A: If they really want something, they have to dedicate themselves to it. If they really want to be MLB pitchers, they have to be passionate about what they are doing and don't give up. I didn't get recruited out of high school for pro ball, I didn't get drafted out of Howard, but I've never been the guy that's been a top prospect. Just do what you do and work hard. I never thought I would be playing Double-A with Oakland. Take it one step at a time, and really dedicate yourself to what you want to do and you will find out if you want to do it soon enough. Dedicate yourself to what you want and be mentally strong, even at a young age.
It is hot summer this year in Midland, but luckily for visitors, Neal is fanning them. Rocky Town fans are just as happy to see Neal back in West Texas as he is to be back. With the second half of the season approaches, Zach Neal will go wherever the wind blows him. For now the wind has blown him into a winning record, and the wind doesn't seem to be letting up.
Texas League Stories from June 13, 2013
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- Naturals Earn Doubleheader Sweep of Cardinals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Beat Frisco with Home Run Attack - Frisco RoughRiders
- Q & A With Zach Neal - Midland RockHounds
- Green Country Chevy Dealers to Host FREE Youth Clinic at ONEOK Field - Tulsa Drillers
- Cardinals Announce Upcoming Promotions - Springfield Cardinals
- RockHounds Rout the Missions 9-1 - Midland RockHounds
- A Wild Win For the Hooks in Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Few Super Premium & Premium Seats Remain for Texas League All-Star Game - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Overtake Travs for First with 3-2 Defeat - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Top Travs, Reclaim First Place - Tulsa Drillers
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