Prospect Q&A: Gatto craves consistency
Joe Gatto was among the best high school arms in New Jersey when the Angels drafted him and his 95 mph fastball two years ago. But as the team's second-ranked prospect enters 2016, he said baseball remains a learning experience.
Fellow New Jersey native Mike Trout was among the first to call the then-19-year-old right-hander after he was drafted in the second round. Gatto talks a lot about Trout, whose ascent through the Minors was quick. Gatto has yet to make his Class A debut.
"Joe's got a lot of potential," Mike LaCassa, the Angels' assistant director of player development, told the Press of Atlantic City last year. "He's big, athletic and has a good head on his shoulders, which is exactly what we're looking for. He's mature for his age, and that's going to help him because it's a big leap from high school to this level."
That transition has taken time. He spent last summer in the Pioneer League, going 2-3 with a 4.31 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 54 1/3 innings to earn All-Star honors. We caught up with Gatto last week as pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Arizona.
MiLB.com: Last summer, you were back at Orem but only pitched in 12 games. How did the year go, what did you learn in the Pioneer League?
Gatto: I think last year went very well for me. I got to play in the All-Star Game, and you just learn a lot about yourself. Last year's big focus was the changeup -- I got to throw that and then worked on it in instructs and it's now a third weapon for me. It could actually be my second-best pitch to throw now. I learned how I was as a pitcher. It was all a learning experience, just getting the chance to face better hitters.
MiLB.com: You're heading into your second Spring Training and third season in the Minors. What are you looking to accomplish this spring and overall in 2016?
Gatto: My biggest thing coming out of high school was getting a feel for it all last year. In terms of progress throughout the year, this is my first real full season, so I think it's important to stay consistent throughout the year with fastball command. It's all about consistency.
MiLB.com: What's the biggest thing you need to work on this year? Have the Angels told you, "Hey, we want you to focus on this?"
Gatto: I think the biggest thing they're preaching is consistency, whether that be on the field every day or for me to be consistent with all my stuff -- fastball command, throwing the changeup, throwing my breaking ball. Last year, I would get ahead on guys and then fall behind, so for me this year, the more consistent I can be, it'll put me in the best situation to succeed.
MiLB.com: FanGraphs ranked you this past week as the Angels' No. 1 prospect, and MLB.com had you as No. 2 this offseason. What's your impression of the Angels system and how does it feel being atop the organization?
Gatto: Ever since day one, they preach it's a family -- you're not in the organization, it's a family. That's what it feels like. They put a lot of trust in me. Being with them in my third year, it's awesome, it's a great organization, everyone is nice, there's good communication, there's not much behind the curtains. They laid out the map of how to get players to the big leagues for us newer guys who've never done this before. And in terms of the rankings, being looked at like that is awesome. It's great to have people behind you and thinking a lot of you. The stats and where we're ranked doesn't mean anything until you go out and do it. I'm high up there, but on my end, it's great, but I need to go out and prove it.
MiLB.com: Take me back to the Draft. You were a second-round pick, you ended up with a nice signing bonus, got a call from Mike Trout. What was that day like?
Gatto: That was a crazy day, just a lot to comprehend, just how many people are your friends and family and they're all there watching and everyone that worked to put you in that position. You're supposed to sit back and enjoy it, but as the wire is ticking down, it got a little hectic. I kept it small, mostly family only. It was the best day of my life, it was awesome.
MiLB.com: When the Angels drafted you in 2014, their scouting director, Ric Wilson, described you at the time as being "a little bit unpolished." You're heading into your third Minor League season now, do you think that's still an accurate statement or have you progressed since high school?
Gatto: Yeah, I think I've progressed. Coming out of high school in New Jersey, it's rare. At the time, until Mike [Trout] came out, New Jersey wasn't known for baseball; it's a football and basketball area, we don't have the time to spend outside. And back then, we felt fortunate to throw a fastball by kids, but coming into pro ball, I wasn't as well-rounded as the college guys. Once I got into pro ball, that mentality can work, but you need other stuff, too. So I'm really working on becoming an all-around pitcher.
MiLB.com: You were a quarterback for two years in high school and played basketball your junior year. Do you miss playing other sports? Did those experiences help you become a better professional pitcher?
Gatto: I definitely do. I'm fortunate about where that put me and I wouldn't change anything now, but for the most part, that was an awesome experience playing football and getting exposure. It prepared me for the bigger stage, for where I'm at now. But I wouldn't change a thing.
MiLB.com: What was your favorite memory from last season in Orem?
Gatto: Probably the All-Star Game, it was awesome. It was the first time they did it, so it was a new experience. Getting to experience that with teammates was great.
MiLB.com: It's got to be exciting to think you could be playing alongside guys like Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. I'm guessing you didn't grow up an Angels fan, but what's it like to be a part of this organization, with teammates like that?
Gatto: It's awesome. Those are some big-name guys and, for me, having Mike being back home, what Mike's done, being the MVP, back where I'm from, you're either a Phillies fan or an Angels fan. It's awesome. Mike's been the influence and it's nice having a nice fan base back home.
MiLB.com: How would you rate your pitches? Which is the best, which needs the most work?
Gatto: I think when it comes to this point, everyone gets drafted for their fastball. My four-seamer, I'm working to be more consistent with my curveball. I think it's my second-best pitch, but the change is creeping up there. I'm becoming way more comfortable with that. Fastball is No. 1 and curve and change are fighting for second.
MiLB.com: You're pretty active on Twitter. A couple days ago you tweeted, "I crave chocolate 24/7." What's your go-to chocolate or candy?
Gatto: Go-to go chocolate? Definitely Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Me and my buddy have been getting chocolate cravings lately.
MiLB.com: You seem pretty attached to your dog. What's his name and how did you get him?
Gatto: Yeah. My dog, his name is Jax. He's 6 months old. I got him from a family friend. I'd been looking for a husky my whole life. My mom's friend bred them and when I found out, I went and got him that day. It was awesome.
MiLB.com: You tweeted that you might end up in Alaska as a sled dog racer during the offseason. Is that your backup plan if things with baseball don't pan out?
Gatto: (laughs) No. Definitely, they are fun dogs. I was watching them run and I thought, 'That's pretty cool.' But hopefully, that's not gonna happen to me (laughs). It's definitely something that would be fun to do though.
MiLB.com: Who was your favorite player growing up? Did you model your game after anyone?
Gatto: I grew up a Phillies fan, so Cole Hamels. I kind of always modeled myself after him. I liked his style of playing and I was fortunate. I was supposed to work a camp with him this offseason but had to report early.
MiLB.com: You went to Disneyland last month. How was that?
Gatto: That was a good time. Most of us baseball players never have time to go on vacation with family -- it gets to the point where Christmas gifts are overrated, so my mom and dad and I, we all split it three ways and it was awesome to be a little kid again.
MiLB.com: You're from New Jersey. What do you miss most? What's the best part of living there?
Gatto: What do I miss the most? I gotta say, having a beach is really nice in your backyard. Where I live, it's a nice location, I'm 30 minutes from the Shore and 30 from Philly. It's a good mix, something I miss a lot. The best part probably is we don't have to pump our own gas. That's something I had to learn the hard way. That's what I miss a lot -- New Jersey is awesome, and I think Mike will agree with me on that.
MiLB.com: Minor Leaguers love Chipotle. What's your go-to burrito there?
Gatto: Go-to burrito? I'm actually more of a bowl guy. Double-steak, double-chicken, white rice, medium salsa is my go-to.
MiLB.com: Wait, wait -- both steak and chicken? Double of both?
Gatto: Both. Double. Chipotle knows when I'm coming through.
Danny Wild is an editor for MiLB.com. Follow his MLBlog column, Minoring in Twitter.