Hagadone began his pro career just weeks after the draft and instantly made an impact for the Lowell Spinners. Through 24.1 innings, he has struck out 33 batters, walked 8, and allowed just 14 hits. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound lefty could race through the minors next season and become a key contributor in Boston’s bullpen by 2009.
Pat Andriola: Can you tell us a little about the types of pitches you throw?
Nick Hagadone:
I have four pitches that I throw. My two main pitches are my fastball
and my slider. My fastball has been up to 95 mph and I like to use it
to pitch inside and outside. My slider has been a really effective
pitch for me this year especially against lefthanded hitters. I also
throw a changeup mostly to righthanders, and I am developing a split
finger. It is still a work in progress, but I feel like it could be a
good pitch once it gets to be more consistent.
Andriola: What would you say is your "out" pitch?
Hagadone:
Right now, my out pitch is definitely my slider. This year I got a lot
of my strikeouts with it, and it also produced a lot of ground ball
outs when I was facing righthanded hitters.
Andriola: Who is the toughest hitter you have faced on the college level?
Hagadone:
I would say that the toughest hitter that I have faced at the college
level is Brett Wallace from Arizona State University. He ended up being
the player of the year in our conference this year, and he is a very
dangerous hitter. He is tough to pitch to because of his power and
strike zone judgment.
Andriola: You were
previously drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2004. Did going through
the draft process already make you more comfortable with it this time
around?
Hagadone: Yes, I think that having
previous experience with the draft has made me a lot more comfortable
with it this time. When I was in high school I didn't really know how
the process worked, and I had never really talked to scouts before.
Getting that experience really helped me to be more comfortable with it
this time around.
Andriola: Can you tell us a little bit about the pitcher and teammate Tim Lincecum
is, and has he given you any advice?
Hagadone:
Tim Lincecum is the greatest pitcher that I have ever been around – he
can do some amazing things that everyone else isn't able to do. I am
happy to see him having success so early at the major league level, and
I know that he will have a very long and successful career in the big
leagues. He was also a great teammate, he never looked down on anyone
because they weren't as good as him, and he treated everyone with
respect no matter who they were. Also, it was great knowing that every
time he had the ball it was almost a guaranteed win. I haven't really
gotten a lot of advice from him, but I have been able to learn a lot
just from watching. After seeing him dominate for the two years that I
played with him, I learned that you have to be very aggressive while on
the mound and not give the hitters any credit. You just have to give
them your best pitch every time and make them try to hit it.
Andriola: Did you enjoy your college career at Washington University?
Hagadone:
I have really enjoyed my career at the UW. Coach Knutson taught me
everything I know about pitching, and I know that I would not be where
I am today without the time that I have spent here. I am disappointed
that we never made it to post-season play in my three years, but it was
still a great experience anyway.
Andriola: You have started a few games throughout your career. Does that mean you are more than just a one or two inning reliever?
Hagadone:
Yes, I think it does. I have the ability to either start or relieve
depending on what the team needs me to do. I started out the year as
the Friday night starter for our team this year, but moved to the
bullpen because I was able to help the team more in that role. I really
enjoy both roles, and I don't care what I do as long as I get to pitch.
Andriola: What players have you heard yourself compared to?
Hagadone: No one has told me who they think I compare to. That is always something that I have wondered myself.
Andriola: What was your favorite moment during your college baseball career?
Hagadone: My favorite moment playing college baseball was when we swept the Washington State Cougars this year. They are our in-state rival, and I was able to get a win and a save in that series to help secure the sweep.
Pat Andriola will be a freshman at Tufts
University next year. You can find more of his work at
GothamBaseballMagazine.com and reach him at Patrick.Andriola@tufts.edu.