Jeff Samardzija
by bleacher bum on Jul 25, 2008 4:42 PM EDT
13 comments
So I just turned on the Cubs game and much to my surprise I see Jeff Smaradzija warming up in the bullpen. He got into the game and he just struck out the first batter he faced. Hanley Ramirez was next and he singled up the middle. The next batter flied out. Then Jorge Cantu turned on a 97mph fastball up in his eyes and ripped it down the line scoring Ramirez. Mike Jacobs then flied out to center to end the inning.
My initial thoughts after watching him pitch are pretty much what the scouting report was on him in Spring Training. He showed a good fastball with movement hitting 97 on the radar gun. His secondary stuff needs work. Perhaps a lot of work. He only threw one offspeed pitch for a strike. He also uncorked a wild pitch on a pitch out that went to the backstop. The announcers noted that that particular pitch only registered 80 on the gun. He let up on his pitch and it cost him a wild pitch, although Ramirez might have scored on the double anyway.
Anyone else watch him pitch? What were your thoughts?
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impressed
by the movement on the fastball. with that type of movement I am surprised he wasn’t striking out more guys in the minors. Looked really impressive in the 8th throwing more offspeed pitches, mixing them in well, and everything for strikes. He was getting ahead of everyone as well. I thought he’d be a guy throwing 96 straight as an arrow with no offspeed. Consider me pretty impressed, but I am a Cubs fan so I am biased.
by uwbadger on Jul 25, 2008 5:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
HMMM Dan Haren the 2nd
Haren mastered that Splitter and went from an okay starting pitching prospect into a very good MLB pitcher
by Bravesin07 on Jul 25, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually
In defense of Braves, he could be right on this one. Sam-whatever is very projectable and nobody really knows what to make of him. If this splitter does turn into a dominant pitch, similar to Haren’s, that would be a fair comp.
Pretty sure Braves is assuming that the splitter is the reason Samardzija is doing so well.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Jul 27, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His movement is sick
I’ve never seen a fastball that fast have that much of a screwball break on it. Now I see why they paid that much for that raw of a product.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
by Brickhaus on Jul 26, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Threw again today
2 IP, 3K, plus the save
threw 25 pitches and 16 strikes
He got ahead of everyone and threw a nasty splitter to strike out Hanley. He wasn’t throwing as hard, fastball was in the low 90’s but he had the same movement. Helped out on the last play of the game with a great diving catch by Edmonds. Guys like Goldstein were really down on him but it seems he’s got the stuff to succeed.
by uwbadger on Jul 27, 2008 6:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Response
Looked like he might’ve been throwing 2 different fastballs out there. He threw a couple at 88-91 MPH and a little sinking action but for the most part the TV gun had him at 94-96 MPH. One thing is for sure . . .his stuff is absolutely filthy.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Cubs do with him long-term. As a reliever he looks like closer material between his fastball/splitter mix and his poise on the mound. As a starter I’m not quite sure just yet . . .but I’d have to think that the Cubs are going to give him a chance to push for a rotation spot next spring.
by mrkupe on Jul 28, 2008 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still skeptical
He’s done this at every level so far – looked incredibly impressive at first, but after he makes it around the league once, the batters start figuring him out.
His stuff looks to be tailor-made for a closer role though, so maybe he has found his calling in the Cubs’ bullpen.
by guru4u on Jul 28, 2008 7:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
While he was in the minors, there were constant rumors...
...that the Cubs were having him working on adding movement to his fastball and developing his secondary pitches. (His scouting report prior to the draft was that he threw hard but straight and had below-average pitches.) This theory would coincide w/ the Cubs constantly promoting him despite weak numbers—they must have determined he “figured something out.”
This isn’t a part of fitting the explanation to the situation after the fact, either. This was said (both in speculation and by people who “know”) that this is what was happening. Seeing him promoted so aggressively, and maybe now “getting it”, it does make sense.
Of course, probably only the Cubs and Samardzija know for sure. I’m guessing we’ll get some explanation down the road. And, of course, he could still suck long-term. (but that straight-as-an-arrow fastball and complete lack of secondary stuff are gone)
by tyger1147 on Jul 28, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as a general rule
when a guy who has always had plus tools starts to put it together and show you he can play the game it isn’t probable that what hes doing is a mirage
by nms on Jul 28, 2008 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
furthermore
This isn’t a finesse pitcher.
The league “figuring it out” doesn’t have a whole lot to do with it. It does make sense that the league will adjust to some extent and he’ll hit a rough patch at somepoint, because this is a game of adjustments and everyone struggles sometimes, but it isn’t like being difficult to figure out is part of his game.
Hes got super, super stuff.. he isn’t getting outs by trickery
by nms on Jul 28, 2008 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hmm
Carlos Marmol is the closer of the future, correct? I would try to push Samardzija as a starter in the future, though, clearly he’s ready to contribute in the majors as a reliever.
I still love Marmol, though.
by BlackOps on Jul 28, 2008 6:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not if Lou burns off his arm
by demondeaconsbaseball on Jul 29, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
which he is
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
by flipgatey3 on Jul 29, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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