Pat Neshek talks about coming to the Rockies and his postseason career

On July 26, the Rockies acquired Neshek for three minor league prospects. He has already made two appearances with the Rockies but for the first time last night, he came to Coors Field as a Rockie. He went an inning and gave up a hit and a run (that was unearned) while striking out two.

Before yesterday’s game, the Rockies newest reliever, Pat Neshek, had a conversation with the media, including our own Kevin Henry. Neshek said this about coming to Denver:

"It’s nice [to join a team who’s in a pennant chase]. You pick up 25 wins overnight. [The Rockies offense] is one, that as a pitcher, you don’t want to face. The Phillies come in a couple days and I wasn’t really looking forward to this series but now I am."

The Rockies weren’t the only team interested in him as about a dozen other teams were interested in and Neshek discussed how it felt on a personal level:

"I [have had] a good year. Always, around the deadline, people are looking for relievers. I mean, you saw yesterday how many [relievers] got moved [but] it means a lot, though. I know [Rockies General Manger Jeff] Bridich…was pretty happy. I’m really happy and you know, it’s fun to see a lot of guys I played with and knowing some of the guys who are here, it gave everybody a boost…"

Neshek also discussed about calling Coors Field, a notorious hitter’s haven, home:

"I was playing in Philly [and] it might be the hardest place, in baseball, to pitch. You know, [Coors Field] is a little bit bigger–I don’t think there’s as many home runs as there was in Philly–but it’s a bigger park so you have to control the running game and not get the guys on and run. I think our defense is pretty spectacular so for me, I’m really happy to be here."

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Neshek also discussed joining the Rockies bullpen:

"You know, we’ve got a great bullpen with [Adam] Ottavino, [Mike] Dunn, [Chris] Rusin…[and Greg] Holland’s having a great year. If I pitch the way I’ve been pitching, if we have the lead [after seven innings], I think [the game] should be over."

Neshek also talked about bringing something to the Rockies that most of them don’t have: postseason experience.

"I’ve pitched in four [postseasons]. Things start getting serious at the end of August [so right now], you want to build as big of a league as you can because things can get really interesting in September [but] I don’t think that it will be a problem for this team. If guys can do what they [have done], we’re going to have success."

In 13 postseason games and 10 1/3 innings pitched, he has a postseason ERA of 2.61.

He also talked about how this isn’t his first rodeo in moving to a different city and changing uniforms in a day

"It’s tough. For me, I want to get as comfortable as I can as quick as I can. It’s tough. I’m still in the ‘deer in the headlights’ faze…I was the other day. I pitched right away [so] that was really nice to get that one out of the way but now, you’re home…You want to get things settled. So for me, it’s getting my family set up, making sure my equipment [gets here and gets set up]. I’ll probably take a week to get used to. I’ll be fine…I’ve been on seven teams [in eight years so] it’s something you have to deal with."

Next: Jonathan Lucroy also talked to the media about coming to Denver

Final Thoughts

The trade for Neshek could prove to pay dividends for the Rockies not just in the rest of the regular season but he will be a tremendous help for the team in the postseason. With Neshek and Greg Holland, the Rockies bullpen should not be a problem in the postseason.