Chicago White Sox: Exclusive interview with Nate Jones

Part Three: Talking growing up, and 2019 goals

Q: Who did you model your play like growing up?

A: Back in the day, we grew up Reds fans, I liked Ken Griffey Jr., Chris Sabo, but I never really tried to model any of those, per say, because if you watch me throw now, I don’t know who is the last person who threw like me. So we just kinda played the game because we loved it, and we watched those guys, and we looked up to all of those guys in the big leagues.

I was fortunate enough to fulfill that dream and make it to the big leagues. But once I was able to get a little bit more mature in baseball, obviously Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling when they were with the Diamondbacks, obviously were a big duo that I really loved to watch to pitch. But again, I don’t know if I’ve modeled anybody; if I tried to, I did a pretty terrible job of it.

Q: Toughest hitter you’ve ever faced in the major leagues?
A: Well, there are two that I come into my mind that I felt like always saw me well, and one of them was Delmon Young when he was with Detroit, and then Billy Butler when he was with Kansas City. I don’t know if it was just that I always faced them late in games, or if they were right-handed, but those were two guys that we battled, but they were always my toughest outs.

Q: What is your message to White Sox fans as the 2019 season nears?

A: I would say be prepared. I think what the front office has put together, the team via free agents and trades, those additions and the guys that we’ve got coming up, everybody understands the hype with them, what they can be, and I would say be prepared. Because I would say that we are going to exceed some expectations this year. That’s for sure, so be prepared for that, be prepared for a fun and exciting season, and be prepared for a fun and grindy team that is going to do whatever it takes to win, I would say just be prepared.

Big thanks once again to Nate for his time. We wish him the best of luck this upcoming season and hope to see him pitch in big situations soon enough in the postseason.