Prepare for a double dose of “Due Diligence” this week as I got a chance to sit down with Giants #4 prospect, Thomas Neal.
Thomas has truly been the reason the Giants minor league system is one of the best in baseball. At every level he has had played in, his performance has been all star caliber and his drive for success has been unstoppable. We talked briefly on what the past season has been like for him, the AFL, and what the future holds.
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AZG: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions Thomas, I really appreciate it. No doubt, your 2009 season has been special. From tearing it up in San Jose, All star game, winning a championship, team MVP, and being selected to the AFL, you’ve had a chance to showcase your talent and you took advantage. As you look back on the season, what would you say was your best/favorite accomplishment of the year?
T Neal - I have to say that the best accomplishment from this past season had to be winning the Cal league championship without a doubt. Winning a championship is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. We played the game the right way all year. We worked extremly hard to get better each day and to know that as a team we are the best is an awesome accomplishment. My favorite accomplishment from a personal stand point would be the night I hit for the cycle. It’s extremely rare and to be able to say I hit for the cycle while playing professional baseball is crazy.
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AZG: I have always made mention of how the mental side of your game is a big strength. We can see the tangible results of that by the amount of assists you have from the OF, the hustle out of the box, and the fact that you never give up on a play. Could you speak a little bit about your focus, anticipation, and how you are able to stay “in the game” at the end of a long season?
T Neal - I really take a lot of pride in playing the game the right way. When you play the game the way its supposed to be played good things happen. I’m so competitive, I hate losing more than anything in this world and If lose at something I will figure a way to become good at it. My mind set is so focused on not losing and doing whatever I can to help my team win that I really try to anticipate different situations before they happen so when it does happen I’m ready to make a play. As for trying to stay focused at the end of a long season, it’s a grind but it all comes down to a mindset you either want to fight through it and be the best or you don’t. I want to grind it out and be the best.
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AZG: Speaking of the OF, this year you got to move to LF in San Jose, but also got to play some 1B in the AFL. Is there a position you like better?
Was playing 1B to spell Brandon Allen and get you AB’s? or was it something the Giants wanted to see you play again?
T Neal - I definitely like the outfield more because you can really make an impact on the game. Whether it’s throwing a runner out at home or holding a runner at 1st and allowing your pitcher to get a double play or running down a fly ball in the gap that should be a hit, it’s all important and I just want to make an impact on the game some how. I played 1st base to give Brandon Allen days off because he was the only 1st baseman. I’m not sure whether the Giants asked to see me at 1st base or not but they were happy with my performance.
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AZG: The last game of the AFL season was great to see you and Chase D’Arnaud go back and forth on the SB title. No doubt you both knew what was at stake. Since it was a “meaningless” game so to speak, was the plan that you were pretty much going to run every chance? Was the title something you really wanted or more of a cool stat in the back pocket?
T Neal - (Laughs) We definitely knew what was going on. I told Chase the night before that however many bases he took I would double it. I was praying that he didn’t steal two because four would be tough. He only had 1 SB. The plan was to try and steal two bases but then the competitive juices started flowing and we started to get after it a little bit. I would be lying if I said I didnt want that SB title because I will never be in that situatuion ever again. It was fun though being able to run wild…(Laughs)
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AZG: What have you learned in stealing all those bases in the AFL, as far as technique and timing?
T Neal - I learned a few new things. I learned how far I can get off and still be comfortable enough to get back to the base safely. That was something that I really didnt have a feel for because I really hadn’t had the oppurunity to run. I did use a lot of tips Darren Ford gave me since we were roommates all year in San Jose. But the biggest thing I learned is you can not be afraid to get caught or picked off. You have to be aggressive no matter what but at the same time be smart.
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AZG: You got the first pro hit off of Stephen Strasburg. Can you recount that at bat and what were your thoughts?
T Neal - Yes, I had seen him throw a few bullpens at my high school so I knew what it looked like already. We also played together on a travel team for a couple years but he competes and I knew going into the at bat that he was going give me his best stuff. But my plan was to look for a fastball middle away and try and jump on him early because he is going to try and get ahead with his fastball. The 1st pitch, I took a very aggressive swing and was late. I told myself I need to shorten up and then he threw another fastball. Honestly, I dont even remember him throwing the ball I just remember the ball hitting the catcher’s glove…it was a 99 mph fast ball inside. Now its 0-2, he threw another fastball that was low and away which made it 1-2. I was looking for another fastball away but he threw me a hanging breaking ball that I drove for a base hit. I just stayed with my approach and it paid off.
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AZG: You were the one selection the Giants were able to make from the Single A roster to the AFL. Does that give you confidence that the club believes in you and knew you could benefit/compete with the level of players in the AFL?
T Neal - It was a little bit of a confidence boost to know that the club felt I could compete with level of players in the AFL even though I was in High-A all season . I believe in my abilities and felt that I could compete with the best day in and day out if given the opportunity. I’m just very grateful that I was given the opportunity to play against the best players.
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AZG: You’ve gotten a chance to be on 3 championship teams while in the organization. Salem 2006, Augusta 2008, and now San Jose 2009. It seems we just need to call you up and bring SF a ring?
T Neal - (Laughs) Hopefully I will be able to be a piece of the puzzle to help win a world series championship sooner than later. I have been very lucky to play on great teams with great mangers such as Andy Skeels and Steve Decker. One thing about the 3 championships was each team from day one had the mindset that we are going to WIN the championship. It wasn’t ever “lets get to the championship.” The team in ‘06 was a more laid back team, you had guys like Burriss, Bocock, Pill, and Rohlinger. The Augusta team in ‘08 was so young but very talented and I don’t think anyone expected us to do as well as we did. We knew that we could play with anyone and it drove us to out work everyone to prove that we had the best players as well as the best team. This year’s 09 championship was special. It was awesome to play with Posey, Noonan, “The Professor”, Bocock, Gillaspie, Ford, Kieshnick, Tanner, Turpin, Runzler, Clark…the whole team was amazing, we all got along. It was just a super fun year!
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AZG: More recently, because of the winter meetings and it being the off season, rumors fly about everything and everyone. On one hand, it’s got to be nice to know that you have the success to warrant interest from clubs, but on the other, it has to be weird hearing names come up. Generally, what is it like for players to know that trades can happen at any time and can come from out of the blue?
T Neal - Honestly that’s something that I really haven’t paid attention to because that’s something that’s out of my control. My focus is to keep improving each day so that one day I can be an impact player at the big league level and help the Giants win a world series championship.
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AZG: You are making a lot of noise with your play. You were recently ranked as the #4 prospect in the system by Baseball America and of course the stats in general place you in high visibility. Is there a feeling of accomplishment to these awards, or is it just nice to have the confidence that you are placed in high esteem on the right track?
T Neal - It’s nice to know that people are taking notice of the way I play the game and the things I’m capable of doing when healthy. All the recognition and awards are an honor and it’s nice to see all the hard work that I put in starting to pay off. But my main focus is to conutine to get better and put myself on the right track so I can reach the big leagues soon.
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AZG: I recently read about your off season plans with camps, training, hitting, and your drive to stay “in the game.” There really is no off season is there?
T Neal - (Laughs) I don’t even know if I know what the defintion of an off-season is this year. But this off-season is a little different than ones before since I played until late Nov. I went to Hawaii for a week with my girlfriend. It really allowed me to clear my head and just rest my body. I got back to San Diego last Saturday and just started my workouts on Monday. A normal training day for me includes going to hit with my hitting coach around 11am. Then afterwards I go to the gym to lift. I will hit again by myself and work on whatever my hitting coach and I worked on that day. After that I go home and play CALL of DUTY 2.
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AZG: Before each game, you take a moment to go out to CF and kneel. Is there a special meaning to that?
T Neal - Yes, I take a minute to say a prayer and to thank God for allowing me to see another day. I say a prayer to my Granddad that passed away earlier this year and to my Grandma that passed away while I was playing in the Fall League. It’s very important to me to make sure I say my thanks because without God none of this would be possible
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AZG: As always, is there anything you’d like to say to the fans as we wrap up?
T Neal - I would just like to let them know that the Giants are headed in the right direction and we have a lot of talent and the World Series Championships are coming to San Francisco soon!
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For more exclusive coverage on Thomas in the AFL check out the gallery here.
We have some great interviews coming up to keep you busy in the off season. Some upcoming players we have scheduled are high school phenoms and 2009 Giants Draft Picks, Gus Benusa and Tommy Joseph, and two players on the rise in money shortstop Ehire Adrianza and lights out pitching prospect Edward Concepcion.
Keep it here at AZGIANTS.com for all your exclusive insight in to the Giants of the future.
