In 2002 the Milwaukee Brewers are probably
going to have the best pitching 1-2 punch with Nick Neugebauer joining
Sheets.
There is no doubt Neugebauer has a blazing fastball and
an unhittable slider, but with some off season and spring training work
with Bob Apodaca (Brewers Pitching Coach) he is adding the change-up
and the curve ball to the triple
digit fastball. Neugebauer added,
“…now I am finally starting to get a feel for both of those pitches…but
it’s about being consistent with them now”.
One thing that
has plagued Neugebauer in the past is his strikeout to walk ratio.
So far in 67 innings he has 89 strikeouts to 35 walks. Neugebauer
comments, “…my control is my main concern this year. My other stats aren’t
that important to me. In my eyes the minor leagues are all about
development.”
At spring training this year, Neugebauer was invited
as a non-roster invitee and was able to work a lot with the big league
staff. As he puts it, “I’m starting to get the feel for being a
pitcher instead of a thrower…I don’t try to live on my fastball, because
as I move up, my off speed pitches will be just as important.”
When asked about his 2000 season compared to this year, Neugebauer
answered, “I think I have came a long way since last year. I have a lot
better composure…some of the things that have happened this year, if it
were last year I would have blew up.”
Neugebauer's
Profile
Born:
7/15/80 Bats/Throws:
R/R Height: 6-3 Weight:
220 Acquired: Brewers Drafted 2nd
Round '98 (Riverside
HS, CA) Key Stats: (As of
6/12/01) (AA-Huntsville) 4-4 W-L 3.07 ERA 67 IP 89
SO
I couldn’t
resist asking Neugebauer about his nickname, “Boogie Flower”.
Neugebauer explained, “It started when the Dominicans couldn’t pronounce
my name and when they did learn it, they continued to say it wrong all the
time.” “It became a big joke”, added Neugebauer.
During Fall League play, Neugebauer
worked on command first. The Brewers told him that they were happy with
his slider, so he wasn’t allowed to throw it during Fall League
season. The Brewers wanted him to concentrate on his curve and
change.
Instrumental in Neugebauer development has been former
Brewer pitcher Mike Cardwell (Huntsville Stars Pitching Coach). Neugebauer
commented, “…his best quality as a coach is that he doesn’t sugarcoat
anything and he tell me what I want to hear.”
Neugebauer has found
with keeping the ball around the strike zone, and getting ahead of the
count, batters have become more defensive and find it hard to leave the
high fastball alone.
When ask what part his family has played in
his baseball career, Neugebauer said, “They have been the most important
people in my career…they are behind me 100% and that’s good to
know.” Neugebauer continued, “My father has been the best for me through all this
because he is so strong. He has shown me where hard work can get me
and I appreciate all that he does for me…and my mother, brother all my
family are behind me.”
When asked if there was anything outside of
baseball, he would like to tell his fans about himself, Neugebauer humbly
answered, “I am just a normal guy I guess, very approachable…so if anybody
out there sees me at a game, don’t be afraid to say
Hello!”
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