{"id":32248,"date":"2018-04-29T20:01:52","date_gmt":"2018-04-30T00:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/?p=32248"},"modified":"2018-05-07T20:58:38","modified_gmt":"2018-05-08T00:58:38","slug":"interview-with-pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-nick-kingham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/29\/interview-with-pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-nick-kingham\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Pittsburgh Pirates’ Pitcher Nick Kingham"},"content":{"rendered":"

This interview originally appeared in 2012 in\u00a0Toppsprospectalert.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Stockpiling quality young pitching is always a priority for a losing team trying to change their fortunes and culture. The Pittsburgh Pirates, who last had a winning season in 1992, have recently drafted highly touted arms like\u00a0Jameson Taillon<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Gerrit Cole<\/a>\u00a0to jump-start their rebuilding process. However, the team is also high on\u00a0Nick Kingham<\/a>, another recent draftee, who they believe has a bright future in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

Kingham, a tall right-handed starter, was taken in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of high school in Las Vegas. According to Pirates prospect site\u00a0Buried Treasure<\/a>, Kingham was planning to attend the University of Oregon, but was convinced to turn pro when Pittsburgh offered him a generous signing bonus.<\/p>\n

About to turn 21 later this week, Kingham possesses a low-nineties fastball and promising secondary pitches. He impressed in his first two professional seasons in short-season ball, combining for a 2.07 ERA. This past year he made 27 starts in Class-A, and held his own, posting a 6-8 record and 4.39 ERA, while striking out nearly a batter an inning. More information on his statistics is available at\u00a0http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?id=kingha001nic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last year I had a chance to interview Kingham and get to know the up-and-coming Pirates prospect a little better.<\/p>\n

Nick Kingham Interview:<\/strong><\/p>\n

How did you first become interested in baseball?:<\/strong>\u00a0My parents; my Dad grew up playing high school ball. He never played college, but he got me my first interest in it. I started playing it and stuck with it.<\/p>\n

Did you have a favorite team or player when you were growing up?:<\/strong>\u00a0Nope. No favorite team and no favorite player. I was just a fan of the game.<\/p>\n

Do you model yourself after any current player?:<\/strong>\u00a0(Josh) Beckett would be the closest now. I mean it is who I like the most now, but it is pretty hard to emulate somebody that great. I try.<\/p>\n

How did you know the Pirates were interested in drafting you?:<\/strong>\u00a0My scout called me when I was at work with my Dad. He called to tell me that they had drafted me and that they would be in touch. I heard from them two weeks later.<\/p>\n

After you signed, did you do anything special for yourself or your family?:<\/strong>\u00a0We had a few people over two nights before I left, but nothing too special.<\/p>\n

What type of pitches do you throw?:<\/strong>\u00a0Just a fastball, curve and change right now. The fastball is definitely the most important pitch. It\u2019s sitting 91, 92, but reaching 94 or 94.<\/p>\n

How has minor league life been?:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s different. It\u2019s a grind, but no complaints at all. You have to love what you do.<\/p>\n

Andrew Martin is the founder of\u00a0\u201cThe Baseball Historian\u201d<\/a>\u00a0blog where he posts his thoughts about baseball on a regular basis. You can also reach him on Twitter at\u00a0@historianandrew<\/a>\u00a0or on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This interview originally appeared in 2012 in\u00a0Toppsprospectalert.com Stockpiling quality young pitching is always a priority for a losing team trying to change their fortunes and culture. The Pittsburgh Pirates, who last had a winning season in 1992, have recently drafted highly touted arms like\u00a0Jameson Taillon\u00a0and\u00a0Gerrit Cole\u00a0to jump-start their rebuilding process. However, the team is also […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":798,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t