Get to Know: Q&A with Brewers reliever Josh Hader

The Journal Sentinel’s Todd Rosiak caught up with Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader to discuss striking out Bryce Harper, his nickname and his role in the bullpen. Hader, 23, is 1-1 with a 0.90 earned-run average and WHIP of 1.00 to go along with 24 strikeouts in 20 innings (14 appearances). He was acquired on July 30, 2015 from the Houston Astros along with outfielder Domingo Santana and Brett Phillips and pitcher Adrian Houser in exchange for outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitcher Mike Fiers.

Q. Going back to last week, you turned in an incredibly impressive performance against Washington’s Bryce Harper when you struck him out on four pitches in the eighth inning. He was then ejected after arguing balls and strikes with the home-plate umpire. Is that a meaningful moment for a young pitcher like yourself?

A. To me, I just used my strengths. Really, the scouting reports are big in who we face and as long as I stick to my strengths it doesn’t matter who the hitter is. It goes back to executing pitches. It could be anybody, and if you’re not executing your pitches, you’re going to get hit at this level. It just goes back to knowing my strengths and knowing what I have to do to get outs.

Q. You went curveball, fastball, curveball, fastball and got a swinging strikeout on a 97-mph heater. What goes into sequences like that, especially when you’re relatively inexperienced as a pitcher in the majors?

A. Manny (Piña) and I, we’ve been playing together for the last year, then somewhat in spring training last year and this year. It’s just a feel thing. You agree with what he puts down and if not, you go with your gut. But in that sequence we were on the same page the whole time. That’s the thing – you’ve got to trust your catcher as much as you trust yourself. It goes back to executing the pitch.

Q. What about throwing to a catcher you’re not as familiar with, like Stephen Vogt?

A. For me personally, it doesn’t take long. When Stephen came here it was more of a thing where I told him what my strengths are, what I like to do in certain situations and he takes that into account. Also, we go on what the hitters’ swings are looking like. You have the basic guidelines and you go from there. The more you pitch to a certain catcher they have an idea of what you’re going to want in a certain situation.

Q. You’re a native of Millersville, Md. and had a contingent of over 100 family members and friends on hand to see you pitch in Washington, D.C., which isn’t that far away. When was the last time you had such a big rooting section?

A. I think in high-A we had an all-star game in Delaware and it was the same thing there. I actually came in out of the ‘pen that game and was able to throw in a similar situation. It was just the luck of the draw; they were there on the right night and they got to see me pitch. My family getting the opportunity to see me play is just the best thing ever, because of their support. It’s really nice.

Q. Millersville is about 40 minutes from Washington, D.C. and you had an off-day before the series started. Did you get to go home?

A. We got in Sunday and I went back home that night and hung out Monday then came back Tuesday. It’s always nice to get a little break and enjoy home. Just hung out, had a couple buddies over and we all played poker. Just relaxed and enjoyed the time off.

Q. You’re about as low-key as they come. Have you always been so unassuming?

A. Obviously I get excited sometimes and enjoy myself. But I guess when it comes down to business you can only worry about what you can control and just let everything else work itself out. I don’t like getting too wrapped up in certain things, certain hitters. I just like to have fun, really.

Q. Does having a calm demeanor help in your current role as a reliever who sometimes is pitching in big situations late in close games?

A. Definitely. Just the fans alone, you can get overwhelmed with that. But it’s something you can’t control. So you stick with what you can control and what you know. I’ve been playing this game since I was 3. The game hasn’t changed. Yeah, it speeds up a little bit, but you’ve got to get outs and execute pitches.

Q. You’re an outdoorsman, as your camouflage Rawlings glove notes to some. You’re in a good state for hunting and fishing – have you gotten out and at least gotten to fish a little bit in yourfreetime?

A. Not yet. Looking forward to going fishing hopefully on the next off-day in August. I’ve got some family coming up, so we’ll spend the off-day on the boat and just relax. When hunting season rolls around, I might go on another off-day. It’s luck of the draw, I guess you could say. Whatever I’m in the mood for.

Q. Any other hobbies?

A. Just chill, really. Not too much. Obviously it’s a long season and you don’t get much downtime. So I just sleep in and just relax. I play video games with my buddy back home. We clash every now and then on the PS4. I play MLB, NHL and a little Call of Duty sometimes.

Q. You can play as yourself in MLB The Show 17. Some players argue their skills aren’t properly represented. How do you feel about yours?

A. Ah, I don’t really care about that. I just think it’s cool that I have the opportunity to get into a game. I’ve been playing it since it came out (in 2006), so it’s pretty awesome. You always wanted to be in a game just like you always wanted to be in the big leagues. It’s pretty cool, just to see yourself in a game.

Q. Your nickname,Haderade, is pretty catchy, and you have it embroidered on your glove and use it in your Twitter handle (@jhader17). Where did it come from?

A. It was in high school. I don’t even remember the whole backstory of it. I think it was moreso just someone messing with me and I said, ‘You’re sipping on that Haderade.’ It started in high school and just sort of carried on. It’s pretty good.

Q. Your flowing locks help you stand out as well. What’s the story there?

A. I think it was 2014 I started growing it out. I had a buzzcut, so I started growing it out to see what it did. I’ve kind of stuck with it. I got it cut (in June) because it was getting to be too much. It was longer.

Q. Your uniform number is 71, which is also unique in the major leagues. You’re only the second 71 in Brewers history as well (Scott Linebrink, 2007). But 17 is the number you’ve had for most of your career previously. It’s not retired in Milwaukee, but it won’t be issued anytime soon, either, because it belonged previously to Jim Gantner. Have you ever talked to him about it?

A. I’ve never talked to him about the number situation. I’m sure maybe he heard something. But it’s a number. If I could get it, I’d get it.

Q. Because of your pitching style you’ve had all kinds of people comparing you to the likes of Chris Sale and Madison Bumgarner, two of the best left-handers in the game. Is that flattering or too much pressure?

A. I don’t have any control over that. We you get compared to those guys, it’s very special. They’re not just any guys; they’re great pitchers. They’re studs. It’s nice to hear that. But I’m myself and I don’t really go off anybody. I just do my thing, and maybe someday somebody will be compared to me.

Q. Did you have a role model growing up?

A. I’d say my father (Tom). He pushed me very hard. I’ve always had the dream of being a big-league player and he knew that what it would take to at least get the chance to get to this level. He’s done everything he could in helping me get to certain places, paying money here and there. It’s tough at the younger ages where you have to travel a lot – especially being in Maryland where the weather isn’t good year-round. He’s pushed me hard and I’m just glad I could make him proud.

Q. Brewer fans have been very vocal as far as their preference that you be moved into the starting rotation. While that might happen as early as next season, the Brewers have been quite clear that your role this season will continue to be as a reliever. What do you have to say about all that?

A. I mean, I don’t make the rules, I just follow them. Whatever my opportunity is to pitch and whenever they want me to come in, that’s what it’s going to be. I can’t really control that.