Getting To Know: Nick Roberts
February 07, 2017 | Baseball
The Husky Baseball team welcomes in a group of newcomers for the 2017 season that helped make up one of the nation's top-10 overall classes. Leading up to the season-opener on Feb. 17, GoHuskies.com will feature some of the newcomers online and through UW Baseball's social channels. Featured today is infielder Nick Roberts out of Silverdale, Wash.
Your brother, Nate, played baseball at Seattle. What was it like looking up to him as you grew up?
It couldn't have been a better situation with the age gap. There is a seven-year difference. Seeing him develop into the player he was and trying to do what he did every day to prepare for the level that he was at was beneficial. It was awesome.
Is business management still your intended major?
Yeah, it's gotten a little more specific. I'm trying to follow in my brother's footsteps. He's focusing on project management. I've been trying to focus on construction management, it's kind of outside of the field of project management, but a lot of similar aspects and it sounds really interesting. He now does project management for Google. Even outside of baseball I try to strive for what he accomplishes, which are big shoes to fill. But I think I can do it.
Growing up on the Kitsap Peninsula, were you always a Husky fan?
I was always a Husky fan. It's actually kind of funny, Seattle U played UW here when it was the old field and hopefully Coach Meggs doesn't find out, but I tweeted a long time ago – I think I was 12 years old – I said: "Go Redhawks, hope we beat the Huskies." It's kind of ironic now that I'm with the Huskies. It's kind of cool.
What was it like growing up in such a beautiful area as Kitsap Peninsula?
It's very beautiful; there's a lot to do. Silverdale, it's not a huge town, so the relationship between everyone is close and the community is really good. We have a few high schools in that area so whether it's 4A, 3A or 2A, competition is crazy. Olympic High School is on the other side of Bucklin Hill so we say the "Battle of Bucklin Hill," whether it's football, baseball, basketball and it gives us the right to say who owns it. South Kitsap is another one of our rivals. No matter what high school you're at, football is where all fans go so they handled us pretty well in football. So it's hard to say what rivalry we had with them, but Olympic was our main rival.
What do you think separates you from other players?
I think it's just my desire to win. Just the feel of the game, the environment of the game is an awesome feeling. To be playing is a blessing and to win is awesome. Especially with these teammates, I can call them my brothers. It's a great feeling.
What's it like to watch and play with Levi Jordan?
I couldn't think of a better role model to follow. Everything he does on and off the field, I can strive to be him and I can be successful. Obviously he came in as a walk-on, no money, and look what he's become now. I just heard that Chris Baker too had no money coming in, both developed into great players. Obviously he (Baker) is playing pro and I just hope to be as good as them one day.
What kind of goals do you have this year and what kind of role are you trying to carve out for yourself?
Before winter break, Coach came to us and he mentioned before the grind, you have to know what your role is and what you can do to benefit from this team. I believe trying to be better than the person in front of me will help that person try to be better in the competition for the position. It helps both of us.
What are some of your early memories playing baseball? Do they revolve around your brother a lot?
Yeah. My dad actually too. He played for the Guam National Team. I was born in Guam and we moved out here when I was two years old. We first lived in an apartment in Silverdale and I remember setting up pillows in my living room and sliding into each base, acting like I scored the game-winning run. Or even hitting whiffle balls in the house when I'm not supposed to, just tossing them up to myself, having my mom yell at me for doing it. Those were just a couple of stories that were memorable for me.
What has your dad told you about what his playing days were like?
Back then especially in Guam, he was a pitcher. The competition wasn't the greatest down there since they didn't have a lot to go off of, but just him giving me tips about what he saw and the environment helped me in my game.
Was your dad in the military?
He's work for the Department of Defense. We moved out here actually because my mom got a job. He got a job in the shipyard and became a diver. He fixes submarines underwater.
When you aren't playing baseball what do you like to do?
On the weekends I like to hang out with my friends. I try to get off of campus, see some new environments and just be with friends. Surround yourself with good people and do good things.
What was so attractive about coming to Washington?
I committed my sophomore year of high school and I started coming to a lot more games. JK (Jason Kelly) recruited me in Arizona, he saw me first in Arizona. Before that I was coming to games and watching my brother play and watching UW play. If I had the chance to come watch, I'd do it just because it was such great competition, such great play that I wanted to see how that compared to what I was doing.
How are the newcomers getting along?
It's a great group. Especially in the beginning, you saw the freshmen hanging out because it's such a big group. You make good friends and then once we kind of seeped in, the seniors and juniors, everyone is accepting of everyone. It's a great thing.
How is the team feeling with the season rapidly approaching?
A couple of weeks ago Coach said 30 more days until we're on that plane down to Santa Clara and that's when everyone realized, 'wow it's happening.' He asked us to focus on – whether it's our bunting game, base running or something to work on hitting wise – just focus on that one thing and grind on it. Focus on how we can help the team.
You list Carlos Correa as one of your favorite players. Why do you look up to him and when you watch second basemen, what are you looking for?
Just the savviness of how they play the position and how they focus on the details. Actually the reason I chose Carlos Correa is because I go on Twitter and there are a bunch of videos about how he developed in Puerto Rico and how he developed into the player he is. He didn't have a lot, as much as I did when I was growing up, so the way he developed into the player he is, was inspiring.
What's it like to be here and experience the new facilities?
It's beneficial because when I was here watching we'd be sitting on wood bleachers and had Porta Potties in the back. It's humbling to have all of this, but it means nothing unless we use it to our benefit.
Your brother, Nate, played baseball at Seattle. What was it like looking up to him as you grew up?
It couldn't have been a better situation with the age gap. There is a seven-year difference. Seeing him develop into the player he was and trying to do what he did every day to prepare for the level that he was at was beneficial. It was awesome.
Is business management still your intended major?
Yeah, it's gotten a little more specific. I'm trying to follow in my brother's footsteps. He's focusing on project management. I've been trying to focus on construction management, it's kind of outside of the field of project management, but a lot of similar aspects and it sounds really interesting. He now does project management for Google. Even outside of baseball I try to strive for what he accomplishes, which are big shoes to fill. But I think I can do it.
Growing up on the Kitsap Peninsula, were you always a Husky fan?
I was always a Husky fan. It's actually kind of funny, Seattle U played UW here when it was the old field and hopefully Coach Meggs doesn't find out, but I tweeted a long time ago – I think I was 12 years old – I said: "Go Redhawks, hope we beat the Huskies." It's kind of ironic now that I'm with the Huskies. It's kind of cool.
What was it like growing up in such a beautiful area as Kitsap Peninsula?
It's very beautiful; there's a lot to do. Silverdale, it's not a huge town, so the relationship between everyone is close and the community is really good. We have a few high schools in that area so whether it's 4A, 3A or 2A, competition is crazy. Olympic High School is on the other side of Bucklin Hill so we say the "Battle of Bucklin Hill," whether it's football, baseball, basketball and it gives us the right to say who owns it. South Kitsap is another one of our rivals. No matter what high school you're at, football is where all fans go so they handled us pretty well in football. So it's hard to say what rivalry we had with them, but Olympic was our main rival.
What do you think separates you from other players?
I think it's just my desire to win. Just the feel of the game, the environment of the game is an awesome feeling. To be playing is a blessing and to win is awesome. Especially with these teammates, I can call them my brothers. It's a great feeling.
What's it like to watch and play with Levi Jordan?
I couldn't think of a better role model to follow. Everything he does on and off the field, I can strive to be him and I can be successful. Obviously he came in as a walk-on, no money, and look what he's become now. I just heard that Chris Baker too had no money coming in, both developed into great players. Obviously he (Baker) is playing pro and I just hope to be as good as them one day.
What kind of goals do you have this year and what kind of role are you trying to carve out for yourself?
Before winter break, Coach came to us and he mentioned before the grind, you have to know what your role is and what you can do to benefit from this team. I believe trying to be better than the person in front of me will help that person try to be better in the competition for the position. It helps both of us.
What are some of your early memories playing baseball? Do they revolve around your brother a lot?
Yeah. My dad actually too. He played for the Guam National Team. I was born in Guam and we moved out here when I was two years old. We first lived in an apartment in Silverdale and I remember setting up pillows in my living room and sliding into each base, acting like I scored the game-winning run. Or even hitting whiffle balls in the house when I'm not supposed to, just tossing them up to myself, having my mom yell at me for doing it. Those were just a couple of stories that were memorable for me.
What has your dad told you about what his playing days were like?
Back then especially in Guam, he was a pitcher. The competition wasn't the greatest down there since they didn't have a lot to go off of, but just him giving me tips about what he saw and the environment helped me in my game.
Was your dad in the military?
He's work for the Department of Defense. We moved out here actually because my mom got a job. He got a job in the shipyard and became a diver. He fixes submarines underwater.
When you aren't playing baseball what do you like to do?
On the weekends I like to hang out with my friends. I try to get off of campus, see some new environments and just be with friends. Surround yourself with good people and do good things.
What was so attractive about coming to Washington?
I committed my sophomore year of high school and I started coming to a lot more games. JK (Jason Kelly) recruited me in Arizona, he saw me first in Arizona. Before that I was coming to games and watching my brother play and watching UW play. If I had the chance to come watch, I'd do it just because it was such great competition, such great play that I wanted to see how that compared to what I was doing.
How are the newcomers getting along?
It's a great group. Especially in the beginning, you saw the freshmen hanging out because it's such a big group. You make good friends and then once we kind of seeped in, the seniors and juniors, everyone is accepting of everyone. It's a great thing.
How is the team feeling with the season rapidly approaching?
A couple of weeks ago Coach said 30 more days until we're on that plane down to Santa Clara and that's when everyone realized, 'wow it's happening.' He asked us to focus on – whether it's our bunting game, base running or something to work on hitting wise – just focus on that one thing and grind on it. Focus on how we can help the team.
You list Carlos Correa as one of your favorite players. Why do you look up to him and when you watch second basemen, what are you looking for?
Just the savviness of how they play the position and how they focus on the details. Actually the reason I chose Carlos Correa is because I go on Twitter and there are a bunch of videos about how he developed in Puerto Rico and how he developed into the player he is. He didn't have a lot, as much as I did when I was growing up, so the way he developed into the player he is, was inspiring.
What's it like to be here and experience the new facilities?
It's beneficial because when I was here watching we'd be sitting on wood bleachers and had Porta Potties in the back. It's humbling to have all of this, but it means nothing unless we use it to our benefit.
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