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 Follow Jamie Nilsen (CWU '08) as he embarks on his professional baseball career as a member of the Kansas City Royals organization! Jamie, who was a first team Division II All-American as a senior and who was the two-time Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year (2007 and 2008), broke virtually every career hitting record in Central Washington University history. He signed a free agent contract with Kansas City and scout Scott Ramsay on June 16, 2008. Be sure to check out the progress of Jamie's professional baseball career by visiting this page frequently and reading his latest diary entries from his first professional season. You can also keep up with Jamie and the Royals through the external web links below.
- Arizona League Royals Official Web Site
- Buy Kansas City Royals gear
- Minorleaguebaseball.com
- Jamie's Statistics (Minorleaguebaseball.com)
- Jamie's Statistics (PA SportsTicker)
- Jamie's 2005 CWU Statistics
- Jamie's 2006 CWU Statistics
- Jamie's 2007 CWU Statistics
- Jamie's 2008 CWU Statistics
- CWU Career and Single-Season Records
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07/31/08
Thursday, July 31
EDITOR'S NOTE: Nilsen was called up to the Class AAA Omaha Royals for their four-game series against the Tucson Sidewinders from July 26-29. He did not play in the series, and returned to the Arizona League Royals in Surprise, Ariz., on July 30.
Q: How did it feel to be called up to the AAA level even though you did not see any playing time?
A: Overall it was a great experience. It was a great opportunity for me to see what it is like to be at that level and to learn as much as I could from the players there. All the guys on the team were really good guys, and it was really cool to just see the way they all went about their business each day. I learned a lot from those guys who have been playing ball for a lot longer than I have, and I will carry all that knowledge with me the rest of my career.
Q: How was your AAA experience different from your experience with the Rookie League team?
A: It was a lot different, simply due to the fact that all the players at that level are a lot older and more disciplined, and that they are already over 100 games into their season. I learned that when you play that many games in a season and accumulate hundreds of at-bats, you can't get too bent out of shape if you have a bad at-bat or a bad game just because you have so many games to play. They all approach the game a lot different than everyone here at the rookie level and I think it was a good learning experience that will help me be more successful through out the rest of my own career.
Q: You play in 100+ degree weather every day. How does that affect you, if at all?
A: It is definitely tough weather to be playing in everyday, but I definitely prefer playing in the heat over the snow and cold wind of Ellensburg! I've learned I just have to be really conscious of staying hydrated all day. As far as it affecting things, as long as you can keep the sweat out of your eyes while you're at the plate it's not too bad. And now that we have started playing night games it is a little bit cooler.
Q: In your last game with the Rookie League team prior to suiting up with the AAA club, you had your first multi-hit game as a professional (three singles in four at-bats). Do you think that will translate into more successful second half of the season?
A: I sure hope so. I'm feeling really good and I got three at-bats upon my return from AAA, hit the ball hard every time, and ended up with a double and a couple runs batted in so things are starting to get better for me. I've just learned that baseball can be a real humbling game at times and I've just had to stay positive and try to keep hitting the ball hard. Over time, I'll hopefully find a few more holes and have some better numbers to show for all the work I've been putting in. |
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07/09/08
Wednesday, July 9
Q: You have now been in Arizona and with the Royals for nearly a month. How is the transition going (referring to both life and baseball)?
A: Things are going pretty well. Life down here off the field is pretty easy going; it's usually a struggle to find something to keep yourself entertained off the field. As far as on the field, it's quite a change from anything I've ever been a part of -- as far as all the time spent at the complex (at least eight hours a day) and the higher level of competition -- but I'm beginning to get comfortable with everything and I'm sure with some more time I'll begin to perform the way I know I'm capable.
Q: Since the last time we spoke two weeks ago, you have experienced somewhat of a hitting slump (at least by your standards). What have you done to stay positive over the course of that time?
A: It has definitely been a very tough and humbling few weeks, but all in all I feel as though I've played pretty well but just don't have anything to show for it. It hasn't been too tough to stay positive because it's not like I've been going up to the plate and striking out every time. I have been hitting the ball hard and have been seeing improvement from the changes the coaches have made with my swing. It has just been real frustrating because I could be just as easily hitting .300 if even half of the well-hit balls I've hit had found some holes. But that's baseball, and that's why it's such a mentally-tough sport. In the end, everything usually evens out so I just have to keep working hard and try to improve everyday and the numbers will come.
Q: So far this season, you have played against some opponents with Major League experience who have been in the Arizona League on rehabilitation assignments from either the big league club or AAA. Who have you faced, and what has that experience been like?
A: Yeah, that has definitely been one of the cooler parts of professional baseball so far. It's pretty cool getting to play or hit against guys who have been (or will be) in the big leagues on a regular basis. Playing against Felix Pie of the Cubs was pretty cool, especially getting a chance to put him out on a ground ball (that was after he hit a grand slam earlier in the same game). I have also had a chance to hit against quite a few big league pitchers in practice from the Royals' Major League team who are down here in Arizona on rehab as well. So far I've gotten a chance to dig in and hit against Leo Nunez, who started the season as the eighth-inning setup man for the Royals, and also against John Bale and Luke Hudson, who are also on the 40-man roster for the Royals as well as a few AAA pitchers. Just those opportunities alone are experiences that I'll remember for the rest of my life because it's not everyday you get to hit against big league pitchers and it's also pretty cool to get a taste of what it's like at that level if you are ever to make it there.
Q: At Central, you played shortstop almost exclusively while dabbling occasionally at second base. Now that you're playing professionally with the Royals, you have been in the lineup at second base or as the designated hitter. How has the adjustment been going defensively, and is that the position that the Royals are envisioning you playing while in their system?
A: It's been a little bit of a tough adjustment for me moving from short to second; everything is just a lot different playing on the other side of the diamond. Making a move like that in the college game isn't nearly as difficult as it has been here, just because (here) you are expected to learn to play the position at such a flawless and professional level. Things like just being a step late to back up throws or to cover bunts get magnified so much more just because the speed of the game is so much faster than it was at Central. There are countless players down here with the speed of Felix Pie so you really have to react on instincts, because if you take the time to think about what you have to do then you will be too late. But I've definitely improved a lot with all of the coaching just in the short month that I've been down here. I just have to keep working at it because there is always room for improvement no matter how good or comfortable you are at it. I'm pretty sure (second base) is where the Royals see me in their system due to my arm strength. |
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06/26/08
Thursday, June 26
Q: How are you adjusting to life in the minor leagues? Describe what living arrangements, transportation, etc., are like.
A: Life down here in Arizona is pretty good. The team treats us real well by putting all the players up in three-bedroom condos that are only about five minutes from the complex, providing breakfast and lunch for us in the clubhouse everyday and providing us with all the gear we need. Transportation is a little tough for me because I don't have a vehicle, but the team provides shuttles for all the players from the condos to the complex in the morning and then back to the condos following practice. However, there are a few players who have cars and who I'm able to tag along with when I need to make a run to the mall or go out to eat somewhere. There are plenty of places within walking distance to get by.
Q: There are some similarities (game start times) and some differences (travel distances) playing in the Arizona League than you were used to having while playing at CWU. Talk about how you like those factors (the 10:30 a.m. start times and not having to travel outside of the Phoenix metro area for games) ...
A: As far as baseball goes, things down here are a lot different compared to playing at CWU. It is a little tough playing so early in the morning because we have to be at the clubhouse for breakfast by 6 o'clock every morning, have a short practice at 7 a.m., then get ready to play at 10:30. But around mid-July, our game times will get moved back to 7 p.m., which will be a little more pleasant. Travel down here is awesome compared to our travel schedule at CWU! I believe our longest road trip is about an hour and a half and there are no overnight trips so I get to sleep in my own bed every night which is nice.
Q: At age 23, you are one of the older players on the Royals' Arizona League team (and within the league itself). How has your age proven to your advantage so far? And what sort of expectations do the Royals and, more specifically, your coaching staff, have for you because of your age and experience?
A: I think my age, and more importantly my experience, has proven to be a big advantage for me because I have hundreds of more games and at-bats than most of the other guys in the league. However, being someone who was signed after my senior season at CWU, I think there are more expectations for performance from myself than from someone who is 18 or 19 years old. But with that all being said, I'm just trying to work hard everyday and keep improving in every aspect of the game because I know that no matter how much experience and success I've had so far in my career there is always room for improvement.
Q: Over the course of your Central career, you batted in the leadoff spot in 196 of your 201 career starts. In your first two starts in the minors, however, you have batted sixth and fifth. Do you approach your at-bats any differently now than you did when you batted leadoff?
A: No, I don't think so. Every time I step into the box I take the same approach and that is to just stick with what got me here and not try to do too much. In all honesty, it's almost a little easier hitting down in the order a little bit because you are able to watch the pitcher work a little bit and see what exactly he is throwing and trying to do before you step in for your first at-bat ... instead of being clueless stepping in to lead off a game.
Q: How did it feel to hit the game-winning home run in your professional debut on Monday?
A: It was definitely a great feeling when that ball left the yard just because I have been waiting and hoping for this opportunity my whole life and to find some success in my first game was a great feeling. Plus it was nice to get a free dinner from the pitcher who I got off the hook for the loss and got the win! | |
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