Q&A: Oakland Athletics Sidearmer, Pat Neshek

Pat Neshek is best known for being great with the fans and a sidearm pitcher, but ever since his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins he has also been a solid relief pitcher.  He has experienced many highs and a few lows throughout his baseball career, but he always seems to deliver in the clutch.  Check out what he had to say about his life and career so far!

Pat Neshek Q&A:
How did you first get interested in baseball?  My parents played a lot in our yard and I loved it.

Did you have a favorite team or player growing up?  Tony Gwynn and Kirby Puckett

When and why did you become a side arm pitcher?  It felt natural to me so I changed to it in high school.

Did you have any other college baseball offers besides Butler?  If so what schools?  Creighton, Northern Iowa and Iowa State

Why did you choose to attend Butler?  I had a full ride and it was expense to go there!  I knew I would pitch a lot as a freshman.

What was the draft process like for you?  It was a long process.  My junior year of college I thought I would go in rounds 2-5... I went in the 6th round.  It worked out good but at the time I had a chip on my shoulder.

What was the first big purchase you made after signing your contract with the Twins?  Lasik eye surgery

What has been your biggest challenge throughout your professional baseball career so far?  Coming back from Tommy John surgery.

Who has been your toughest batter to get out in your career?  All slap hitting lefties

Why do you spend so much time interacting with fans and signing autographs?  It's something I do outside the game so I have no problem if people need me for anything.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not playing baseball?  Collecting baseball cards/autographs.  Playing with my dogs.

What is your favorite baseball park to play in? Why?  Metrodome.  Always dreamed of playing there when I was younger.

Who is your favorite person to follow on Twitter?  Any teammates because you never know what they will write.

When you retire what do you want to be best known for?  Being a normal guy that made it in the big leagues.

2013 MLB Predictions: American League West

1st - Los Angeles Angels:

The Angels stole the offseason headlines for the second consecutive season with the signing of slugger Josh Hamilton to a five-year deal worth $125 million.  Besides signing Hamilton, the Angels improved their pitching staff.  The Angels signed Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett to bolster their bullpen, and acquired Joe Blanton, Tommy Hanson and Jason Vargas to fill the holes in their rotation.

The Angels are an extremely talented team, with one of the best lineups in baseball led by Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.  On paper the Angels are one of the best teams in baseball and expect them to win close to 100 games this season.

2nd - Oakland Athletics:

The A's have a terrific young core of players returning from last year.  Even though they have lost some  contributors from last year, do not be surprised if they are an even better team with their offseason acquisitions.  Jed Lowrie and Chris Young (OF) were both acquired in trades, and Japanese import Hiroyuki Nakajima was signed to fill the hole at shortstop.

If the young pitchers are able to continue from where they left off last season, and Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes do not struggle offensively, the A's will be in position to contend for a AL Wild Card.

3rd - Texas Rangers:

The Rangers had a very disappointing offseason, loosing many key players from last season and being unable to sign any big name players.

Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, Michael Young, Ryan Dempster, Mike Adams, and Koji Uehara have all signed with other teams this offseason.  Loosing all of these quality veteran players will hurt the Rangers this season.  

Aging veterans A.J. Pierzynski and Lance Berkman were brought in this offseason to replace some of the offensive production they lost.  These two players will help, but the Rangers will no longer have a dominating offense that they have had in previous years.

At some point Jurickson Profar will be contributing at the major league level, but the Rangers offense will struggle to much to help the Rangers make the playoffs.  The Rangers will finish just short of making the playoffs this season.

4th - Seattle Mariners:

This offseason the Mariners turned their focus to improving their dreadful offense.  Over the past three seasons the Mariners have scored the least amount of runs in the American League.  Both Kenrdys Morales and Michael Morse were acquired via trade this offseason, and they will make an immediate impact on their offense.

The Mariners have deep farm system with many talented prospects and some of them will help the Mariners this year.  The Mariners have a talented team, with even more talent in the minors, but they are still a year away from being a playoff contender.

5th- Houston Astros:

This will be the Astros first season apart of the American League, and they will have a grueling time winning games.  This offseason the Astros signed multiple low cost veterans, to go along with their young core of players.  Their biggest move was trading Jed Lowrie to the A's for young, slugger Chris Carter and pitching prospect Brad Peacock.

The Astros are in a rebuilding mode and are years from being a competitive team, and they will finish last in the AL West.