Zach Neto is a native son to Miami and very proud to be part of the South Florida community. The star shortstop of the Los Angeles Angels is in route to his third straight 20-20 season, making him one of the most consistent players on the offensive side of the ball at his position.
This season Neto is slashing .226/.312/.418/.730 with 20 homeruns, 50 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases. Although is strikeout rate is still very high the Floridian is still one of the most dynamic offensive shortstops in today’s game.
For the Cuban-American infielder it is a homecoming that he is looking forward to seeing family and meeting childhood friends. After staying put with the Angels after the trade deadline, Zach Neto is looking forward to finishing the season on a high note.
You’ve been in the slump lately over the last seven games. Did trade rumors affect you in any way at the plate?
I mean, I wouldn’t say it affected me at the plate. You know, I started to go out there and play. You know, it definitely took a little mental toll on me, you know, just thinking about if I was going to get traded or not. But, you know, those stressful weeks are out of the picture now and I’m just glad I’m here, you know, where I want to be and, you know, I just go out there and play every single day.
The last couple of years you played with two other Cuban players, Jorge Soler and Yoan Moncada. Did they help you in any way or give you any advice?
Yeah, you know, just getting used to, you know, the Latin guys especially, and having guys who have multiple years in the show and who have won, you know, it’s pretty special to have them and always trying to pick their brain, and they’ve done a lot, you know, on and off the field. They just made sure that I’m the same person every single day and kept me in check.
You’ve been a 20/20 guy the last two years, is that goal for this year as well?
You know, it definitely was, you know, and I think I got six more bags to get, but, you know, there’s still a lot of games left, and I’m not trying to think about it, you know, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, you know, so what, you know, but I’m just trying to do anything I can to win, win for this team.
You wanted to play for Cuba in the last world baseball class, yet you were denied the request by the Cuban Federation. Did that disappoint you in any way?
You know, it is what it is. You know, I wasn’t sad about it, but I wasn’t happy about it. You know, I wanted to play in the Classic and, you know, being able to play for Cuba would have been special, but, you know, it is, like I said, it is what it is and, you know, just moving forward.
Being a native of Miami how does it feel to come home?
It’s awesome. You know, seeing my family and friends last night and, you know, here at the game I think it’s pretty special and just shows the true testament of this community of Miami and, you know, how much baseball means to them.
Do you have any goals for the rest of the season?
Stay healthy. I think this is around this time is where, you know, I kind of tend to get hurt and stuff, you know, knocking out wood, but, you know, just try to stay healthy and finish the season strong.