Brian Walton
November 4, 2004
Exclusive Birdhouse Interview with Cardinals Shortstop Prospect John Nelson
John Nelson joined the St. Louis Cardinals’ system from the University of Kansas, after having been selected in the eighth round of the 2001 amateur draft as an outfielder.
Nelson had an interesting 2002. First, due to a shortage of position players in spring training, he was given a chance to play shortstop, where he excelled with the glove and arm. Adjusting to playing short didn’t bother him at the plate, as he also had a standout season with the bat in 2002. With Peoria, Nelson hit 16 home runs, drove in 63 runs and added 28 doubles and stole 16 bases in 19 attempts. That performance put Nelson on the 2002 Midwest League All-Star team.
With the optimism generated from that 2002 showing, the Cards allowed Nelson to skip high-A ball in 2003. That move backfired, as Nelson struggled mightily with Tennessee, hitting just .237. With a chance to play in the 2003 Arizona Fall League to redeem himself, instead more disappointment ensued. In his first week of action in the desert last fall, Nelson broke his hand on a check swing.
Asked to shorten his batting stroke at Tennessee in 2004, Nelson delivered a career-best .301 average with 27 of his 62 hits going for extra-bases. However, the injury bug bit again, as a high-ankle sprain limited Nelson to just 206 at-bats.
As a result, Nelson was again given the invitation to play in Arizona. He remains a prospect because he is a good athlete; an above-average runner with a 70-rated arm on the 20-80 scouting scale. Though Nelson initially is struggling with the Mesa Solar Sox, hitting a team-low .143 with 12 strikeouts in his first 42 at-bats, he is still working hard and looking toward the future.
This season, you ended with your first .300 batting average as a professional. What did you do differently?
While I was here, actually, I really had Pop Warner really working with me on some things (Cardinal minor league coach Ron Warner). You know, it’s just some little adjustments that can do the most for you. For me, it was opening my stance a little and getting my hands out away from my body. Just little things like that that will fine tune you.
So, you’ve kept those suggestions with you over the last year?
You know, you try. You’re always looking to better yourself. The time might come when I’ll do something a little bit different to help me in the future.
Your 2004 season was interrupted by a high ankle sprain. What was the rehab for that?
Pretty much rest. That’s the biggest thing. I tore three ligaments in my ankle. Just needed some time for the ligaments and bone bruise to heal. That’s why they wouldn’t let me play the last month or so.
You had a serious hand injury down here in Arizona last fall. What caused that?
I broke the hamate bone in my hand. I had to have surgery so they could take that out.
But, that is fully behind you now?
Yes, the hand feels fine.
How long has it been since you played the outfield and how was that transition for you?
The outfield? Well, I only played that one year and that was in New Jersey (2001). I think it is easier to go from the infield to the outfield than from the outfield to the infield. So, that was a little bit of an adjustment, but I think I like the infield more than playing in the outfield. It’s a little more exciting.
Given the way Tony La Russa values versatility, has this stuck in your mind as an advantage to perhaps be used later?
Yeah, I think so. That’s an extra thing that I think I have. That I’ll be able go out there and play anywhere in the outfield and maybe play some third and anywhere on the infield. If that will give me an edge on someone else, then I’ll certainly use it.
Did the Cardinals give you anything specific regarding your skills that they wanted you to work on while here in Arizona and if so, what?
The biggest thing is that they just wanted me to get back to being healthy. I am kind of struggling here, trying to get back into it and getting my timing back, but you know, I haven’t played since June. That’s the biggest thing. I just want to get healthy and be ready to go for spring training.
What is your goal for the upcoming 2005 season?
I think, just to be healthy. I haven’t had a healthy season in a little while. I think, just be healthy and go out and play the full season and be consistent up at the plate and cut down on strikeouts. Kind of what I did this year, but have the whole year to do it.
Are you hoping to earn a spot in Memphis?
Yes, that would be ideal. Hopefully, I can be there at the beginning and have a good season there and see what happens.
Good luck to you and thank you for your time.
