Nick Hagadone was drafted with the 55th overall selection of the MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. Recently signed, Hagadone will begin his minor league career and hopefully, for Sox fans, shoot up the ladder like many other Sox pitching prospects have done. A few days prior to the draft, Nick, a 6’5 left-handed pitcher, spoke to me about his pitching repertoire, former teammate Tim Lincecum, and his favorite moment in college baseball.
Draft & Follow: Nick Hagadone
Nick Hagadone was drafted with the 55th overall selection of the MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. Recently signed, Hagadone will begin his minor league career and hopefully, for Sox fans, shoot up the ladder like many other Sox pitching prospects have done. A few days prior to the draft, Nick, a 6’5 left-handed pitcher, spoke to me about his pitching repertoire, former teammate Tim Lincecum, and his favorite moment in college baseball.
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 95mph 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 left handed hitters. I also throw a change-up mostly to right handers, 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. PA: What would you say is your "out" pitch?
NH: 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 right-handed hitters. PA: Who is the toughest hitter you have faced on the college level?
NH: 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. PA: You were previously drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2004. Does doing through the draft process already make you more comfortable with it this time around?
NH: 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. PA: Can you tell us a little bit about the pitcher and teammate Tim Lincecum is, and has he given you any advice?
NH: 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. PA: Have you enjoyed your college career at Washington University?
NH: I have really enjoyed my career at the UW. Coach Knutson has 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. PA: You have started a few games throughout your career. Does that mean you are much than just a one or two inning reliever?
NH: 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. PA: What players have you heard yourself compared to?
NH: No one has told me who they think I compare to. That is always something that I have wondered myself. PA: What would you say has been your favorite moment playing college baseball?
NH: 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. PA: What will you be doing this Thursday afternoon?
NH: This Thursday, my family and friends are going to come over and we are going to watch the Draft on TV and wait for my name to be called.
