Prospect Pad: The Rise Of Nick Madrigal

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Just last year, White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal, was winning a National Championship with the Oregon State Beavers. Now, he has quickly progressed to Double-A.

In other words, Madrigal hasn’t spent long enough at any one stop as a pro. 

“I haven’t spent more than half a season at any level yet, it’s nice. I’ve made a lot of great friends. And just the quality of baseball seems really good at each level. You can see how much talent is in the organization. And I’m enjoying it, definitely,” said Madrigal in the Baseball America Prospect Pad. 

The pitching he is facing now has been one of the biggest adjustments for Madrigal.

“There’s guys that throw harder at each level, and more consistently. Starting out in A ball, you could see, there’s talent there, but maybe they don’t have full command of each off-speed pitch. And as you go up to high (Class) A, it gets a little bit better. And then in Double-A, it’s even better … comparing it to college, it’s like every single night, you’re facing a Friday night guy, so it’s really no days off. Usually, in college you’ll face a guy that’s maybe throwing a little bit softer that night. But especially in Double-A, every single guy you see seems like he’s mid 90s, at least.”

Madrigal has no fear at the plate and he prides himself on not giving away at bats.

“A lot of people ask me, how I don’t strike out that much. But I tell them, really when it gets to two strikes, I’m not afraid to strike out. I know it’s going to happen, I know it’s part of the game, but it’s really not a thought in my mind at all. I think, when a lot of hitters get in trouble when two strikes come, they get real tense and start thinking about it more. But it’s something, I’m not afraid of.”

To see Madrigal’s complete interview, watch below.