Zach Neto, 23, recently spoke with Cuban Baseball Digest about his offseason, his return home to Miami, and his goals for the season.
Neto, was born in Miami and is of Cuban descent. He emerged as a top prospect in the 2022 MLB draft after his college career at Campbell University. During his three years, he hit .403 with 27 home runs and 108 RBIs in 100 games. He earned the Big South Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022, along with various All-American honors. Neto was picked 13th overall by the Los Angeles Angels, making him the University’s and Conference’s highest draft pick in history.
In 2022, after a short stint with the Tri-City Dust Devils, Neto joined the Rocket City Trash Pandas, where he hit .320 with 4 home runs and 23 RBIs in 30 games.
He started the 2023 season with the Trash Pandas but after hitting .444 in 7 games was called up to the Majors. His call-up on April 15th, 2023, made him the first player from the 2022 draft class to debut in the MLB. He got his first MLB hit on April 17th and his first home run on May 9th.
During the 2023 season, Neto played 84 games with the Angels, hitting .225 with 9 home runs and 34 RBIs. He received the Angels Heart and Soul Award for his contributions on and off the field.
Looking ahead to 2024, Neto is set to be the Angels’ everyday shortstop. He aims to continue improving as a player to help the team win.
You had a good spring training. What did you work on this offseason?
Being able to stay consistent, making sure my body was 100%. I had a couple of injuries last year that sidelined me a bit of the season. That was a main priority, making sure my body was right. Shout out to Next Gen Therapy; they were with me the whole offseason, every day. I was able to go in whenever I wanted and get my stuff done, before or after practice, and be able to come out here every day and keep going.
You’ve had a pretty slow start this season. What adjustments do you have to make at the plate?
Keep slowing myself down. I think my swing is at a pretty good spot. I think it’s slowing myself down in the box, trying not to do too much.
How did injuries stunt your growth last season?
It taught me a lot. I was able to learn from the guys when I wasn’t playing. I got to learn in the cages, the dugout, learn other guys’ routines. It taught me how to prepare for the game and not just depend on my age. Got to make sure everything in my body is nice and woken up and be ready to play.
You’re the first from your draft class to make the Major Leagues. Do you wear that as a badge of honor?
I do. It’s something when it happen, I wore it proud with my chest, I still do. It’s just a matter of keep doing what I’ve been doing to get to this moment, you know, making sure I stay here.
You’re from Miami and of Cuban descent. How does it feel to come home?
It feels awesome, being able to see my family, play in my hometown, where it all started, see my family in the stands. It’s an awesome moment.
What are your goals for this season?
Try to play in as many games as I can healthy, try not to hit THAT list. I don’t want to jinx myself. I just want to be able to play, have a good season, and have a lot fun while doing it and win a lot of ball games and play as many games as possible.