http://nationals.scout.com/2/571688.html


By Frankie Piliere
Posted Sep 22, 2006

The Nationals signed righty pitcher, Josh Wilkie as an undrafted free agent
in June of 2006 out of George Washington University.  Wilkie began his
professional career with the GCL Nationals and put together a solid campaign
despite tiring down the stretch.  We recently caught up with Josh for a Q&A
session.


CapitolDugout.com: First of all Josh, what are your overall thoughts on your
2006 season?

Josh Wilkie: It went really well under the circumstances.  I had thrown 97
innings in my college spring and went right into the GCL season with no rest.
 At the beginning of the season my stuff was sharp and things were going
really well.  By the 26th, 27th inning I threw for the GCL Nationals my arm
was just really tired.  But overall, it went well and I got the ability to
show my stuff and think the overall feedback is very positive.


CapitolDugout.com: You were signed by the Nationals as an undrafted free
agent.  Did you expect to be drafted and what were your thoughts after you
weren't?

Josh Wilkie: I had a little hope that I was going to be drafted and I was
told by someone I knew well that my name was at least put on the board to be
possibly picked.  At first I was really frustrated because I know I can
compete at a higher level and there was not much I could do to do anything
about it.  I had two top three career records at George Washington, a good
D-1 school, and wasn't getting any looks so I just felt kind of helpless.


CapitolDugout.com: When you arrived in the GCL, what types of differences did
you notice in the hitters you were facing compared to college?

Josh Wilkie: Well, wood bats are a huge adjustment for every American hitter,
but to be honest most of the kids in the GCL were Latino and they have been
swinging wood their whole life.  In college you are facing every high
school's stud ballplayer and in the pro's regardless of the level, your
facing the kids that were every college and high schools' top tier player.
 It is a big adjustment for sure.


CapitolDugout.com: Could you briefly take us through your repertoire?

Josh Wilkie: Well, I throw the basic fastball, curveball, changeup with
speeds from 88-91 MPH on the fastball.  The curveball is around 75 MPH and
the changeup around 76-78 MPH.  I throw the curveball different in different
counts.  I can adjust small things to make the curveball a slider.


CapitolDugout.com: Even though you haven't played a full pro season yet, what
are some of the lessons you have learned so far?

Josh Wilkie: You have to be ready everyday to play and compete to the best of
your ability no matter what it takes.  Playing everyday at noon in the
Florida heat and going through the hardships the GCL brought to the table
really showed me the sacrifices and dedication that this game requires.


CapitolDugout.com: Looking ahead to next season, what are some of the major
improvements you'd like to make?

Josh Wilkie: I'd like to throw harder and be stronger obviously.  But I need
to work on pitching inside to lefties and getting early strikes with my
fastball also.


CapitolDugout.com: You had quite a few strikeouts in the GCL.  Would you
consider yourself to be a strikeout pitcher or was that something that just
happened?

Josh Wilkie: It was kind of something that just happened although I did pick
up quite a few in college my last two seasons.  I usually pride myself on
getting ground outs with pitching backwards and locating my off-speed stuff.
 But, in the GCL it just seemed to get me strikeouts which was good.


CapitolDugout.com: What are some of your primary goals heading into next
spring in terms of what team you'd like to break camp with or any sort of
statistical goals?

Josh Wilkie: Well, I hope to start out in Savannah or Potomac obviously.  I
believe if I come and pitch well at camp that will happen.  As for stats, I
don't know about what role I will have on the staff but if I am a starter
like in college, I'd love to have 150 innings, 150 strikeouts, and an ERA
below three.  If I were closing, I would like to have a no loss record and a
strikeouts same as innings ratio.