{"id":3279,"date":"2011-03-18T08:29:40","date_gmt":"2011-03-18T13:29:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/?p=3279"},"modified":"2011-03-18T08:37:36","modified_gmt":"2011-03-18T13:37:36","slug":"catching-up-with-the-royals-nick-wooley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/archives\/3279","title":{"rendered":"Catching up with the Royals’ Nick Wooley"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Nick Wooley<\/a><\/strong>, a long-time friend of the Sombrero and former teammate who now pitches in the Kansas City Royals\u2019 organization.\u00a0 I got to know Nick in the summer of 2008 when we were teammates on the Alton Indians<\/a> of the St. Louis Metro Collegiate League; a team that also featured the Sombrero\u2019s own Ryan Harris and Robbie Unsell.\u00a0 That summer, Wooley\u2019s dominance on the mound lead the Indians\u2019 to a Metro Collegiate League Championship, 3rd<\/sup> place finish at the NABF World Series in Toledo, OH., and an overall record of 30-6.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wooley, 22, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 12th<\/sup> round (362nd<\/sup> overall selection) of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft following a stellar junior season at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri \u2013 watch his official MLB Draft video<\/a>.\u00a0 The 6-foot-2 right-hander earned America Midwest Conference co-pitcher of the year and newcomer of the year honors, after going 8-1 with a 3.31 ERA and hurling four complete games in 12 starts. In 70 2\/3 innings, Wooley allowed 60 hits, walked 27, and struck out 89 for the Owls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick spent all of 2009, his first full minor league season, pitching for Idaho Falls, the Royals\u2019 rookie affiliate in the Pioneer League.\u00a0 Appearing in 13 games for the Chukars \u2013 nine of which he started \u2013 Wooley was 3-2 with a 4.78 ERA, and racked up 40 strikeouts while walking only 10 hitters in 49 IP.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to the 2010 season he was promoted to Low-A Burlington \u2013 now the Kane County Cougars \u2013 of the Midwest League where he struggled to find rhythm, and battled through some issues with his command.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he didn\u2019t have the success at Burlington that he\u2019d hoped, Wooley is anything but discouraged headed into his third professional season. The offseason brought the news that he will become a father in June – news that has allowed him to consider his life and career in a new light.\u00a0 The right-hander enters the 2011 season with distinct goals as both a pitcher and a father, and is optimistic that he\u2019ll turn a major corner in his young career.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n

Mike:<\/strong> What were you doing when you received the call that you had been drafted by the Royals?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> I was sitting at home with my mom, talking and following the draft coverage.\u00a0 With each name that was called she became more and more antsy, so when we finally heard my name, she burst with excitement.\u00a0 Afterward my phone was blowing up with text messages and calls from friends and family\u2026a great feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> What are the lasting memories of your first Spring Training in 2009?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> After being drafted I was sent to short season, so I thought that I would be used to the whole pro-ball thing by the next season.\u00a0 My first Spring Training was actually not what I expected, and pretty strange at first.\u00a0 You\u2019re on such a tight schedule but everything goes so smoothly.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s like that everywhere, but in the Royals\u2019 camp the transitions were smooth given how many guys were there.\u00a0 Besides that, I really enjoyed how friendly and talkative everybody was; all of the players were real down to earth guys and the coaches were always around to help.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> Towards the end of the 2010 season you tweaked your elbow, took some time off, and ultimately finished your season on a rehab assignment with the AZL Royals.\u00a0 So\u2026how\u2019s it feeling?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> It\u2019s feeling good…no pain at all.\u00a0 I\u2019d never had any issues with my elbow, so I was a little freaked out when it happened.\u00a0 Luckily, it just needed some rest.\u00a0 I chose to do the three week rehab stint at the end of the year to show the Royals that I was healthy and that I\u2019d be at 100% come Spring Training.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> Considering that you’ve now pitched at two levels (Rookie and Low-A), what have you learned about minor league hitters? What have you learned about yourself?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> At William Woods I faced a lot of really good hitters, but there\u2019s such a difference between those guys and the guys in the minors. The transition to wood bats has definitely helped, but you still have to spot-up, and more importantly, be consistent with all of your pitches.\u00a0 There are so many more hitters who are able to lay off pitches just out of the zone, and just as many who are able to check their swing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having to face more advanced hitters has taught me the importance of being able to locate all my pitches in any given count.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I spent so much time last year, and also during this past offseason, working on my offspeed pitches.\u00a0 At this level, you need to be a pitcher and not a thrower.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> Are there any specific coaches or instructors who have really helped you improve?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> Hmmm, it really hasn\u2019t been so much one person as it has been everybody.\u00a0 Anytime I\u2019ve ever had a question, it\u2019s been answered \u2013 usually by several different people.\u00a0 That\u2019s what I like – hearing something new from each person is such a privilege.\u00a0 Everyone within the Royals\u2019 organization, as well as the organization as a whole, treat their players right.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> So, how\u2019s the curveball these days? As nasty as ever?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> (Laughter)<\/em> Yeah, it\u2019s still nasty.\u00a0 In college there were lots of guys who would chase it in the dirt, or take a last-minute, desperation swing.\u00a0 Now hitters have a great eye and take those pitches, which is why I\u2019ve been working on locating it with more consistency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> As you enter Spring Training, what have you done this offseason to prepare for the 2011 season?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> During my first offseason I didn\u2019t really know what to expect, you know? Should I be focusing on conditioning or should I spend time developing my pitches? I just was never really sure. This year I knew what I needed to do to get baseball ready.\u00a0 Like I said, I\u2019ve worked on consistently throwing my curve for a strike, and also really worked on my changeup.\u00a0 Throughout high school and college I was able to get by with a good fastball\/curve combination, but at this level you really need a third pitch, especially as a starting pitcher.<\/span><\/p>\n

I began throwing my changeup a lot more last year and it\u2019s definitely come around.\u00a0 It\u2019s just such a feel pitch; the toughest part has been slowing it down without changing my arm speed.\u00a0 I usually sit 89-91 mph, and can touch about 93-94 mph, so throwing something significantly slower has been a challenge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> Do you have any specific goals for 2011?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> My biggest goal for 2011 is to be consistent.\u00a0 If I\u2019m consistent with how I approach each start, as well as with locating my pitches, good things will happen.\u00a0 Throwing all three of my pitches for strikes and walking fewer guys will help bring down my ERA.\u00a0 Other than that, I obviously would like to keep moving up within the organization, and would love to be playing for High-A or Double-A by the end of this season\u2026basically move up one level per year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> As a pitcher in what is considered to be baseball\u2019s best farm system, what\u2019s the mood like around camp this year?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> Every single guy is here because they can potentially make the Royals a better team\u2026the goal is for everyone to get better.\u00a0 The coaches understand all of the talent here and are complimentary, but at the same time keep us modest.\u00a0 One thing they\u2019ve always said that I like is, \u201cYou\u2019re here for a reason\u2026for us to see you play in the major leagues.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> Considering that you\u2019ve played on the same team as guys like Chris Dwyer, John Lamb, and Wil Myers, who has impressed you the most within the organization?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> Wil is an amazing hitter; he\u2019s got a really quick bat.\u00a0 As for Dwyer and Lamb, both are really cool guys, and obviously really good.\u00a0 Actually, all the guys that I\u2019ve played with are really cool\u2026there definitely aren\u2019t any jerks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> We are all familiar with the grueling life of the minor league ballplayer. So, how do you spend your free time? What do you do to keep things light?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick:<\/strong> I spend a lot of time talking to my girlfriend\u2026she\u2019s pregnant with our baby girl who\u2019s due in June.\u00a0 Other than that, all of the guys on the team play a ton of Xbox 360, so much so that we usually bog down the wifi of whatever hotel we\u2019re staying at.\u00a0 Usually we strictly play Black Ops, but since arriving at camp it\u2019s been MLB 2K11 because of the wireless problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most nights the games end around 10 pm, and then I just want to go home and relax.\u00a0 As a ballplayer, you fall into a daily routine and go about your business in a certain way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike:<\/strong> What are you most looking forward to for this upcoming season?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick: <\/strong>The fact that I\u2019m going to be a father in June gives me something to play for\u2026not that I wasn\u2019t already playing for something, it\u2019s just that I\u2019m inspired in a completely new way.\u00a0 Because I won\u2019t be around much surrounding her birth, I\u2019ve decided that I\u2019m going to get her a onesie of every team and stadium that we play at.\u00a0 I\u2019m also excited that my friends and family will have an opportunity to see me pitch more if I\u2019m playing for Kane County (Low-A).\u00a0 I\u2019m just ready to get this season underway\u2026it\u2019s going to be memorable for so many different reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Once again, thanks to Nick for taking time out of his busy Spring Training schedule to talk with us.\u00a0 Everyone at The Golden Sombrero, as well as its readers, wish him the best of luck in the 2011 season.<\/span>
\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Nick Wooley, a long-time friend of the Sombrero and former teammate who now pitches in the Kansas City Royals\u2019 organization.\u00a0 I got to know Nick in the summer of 2008 when we were teammates on the Alton Indians of the St. Louis Metro Collegiate League; a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1300,6,16,9,11,1974,13,10,14],"tags":[1979,1976,1983,1594,1981,1814,1984,302,1985,1978,1975,1982,1798,1336,1977,1593,1980],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3279"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3292,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3279\/revisions\/3292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}