Samardzija Makes AA Debut
The Cubs' multi-million dollar 5th rounder, Jeff Samardzija, made his AA debut Monday night. He earned the victory after pitching 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks, striking out 2.
The Cubs promoted Samardzija despite his 4.95 ERA in 107.1 innings for high-A Daytona. He also only had a 1.3 K/BB ratio for Daytona, apparently missing what is supposed to be a lively arm.
Here's scouting director Tim Wilken's explanation for the promotion, as quoted in the Chicago Tribune: "I think this will be good for him. Also competition-wise, it's a little bit more of a challenge. Frankly, it's not the most conventional way. I understand that. I can read numbers too."
There has to be more to the story. It's a little bit more of a challenge? Well, sure, but that doesn't mean you promote everyone in A-ball.
The Cubs have to be thinking the guy is 22 and, for what we're paying him, he better start producing somewhere. Or maybe Kodak, TN is just a safer place to put him than Daytona, FL.
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Boom or Bust
I agree the promotion seems strange in light of his performance, but then this is the same Cubs organization who pushed Corey Patterson through when he had not earned it either. In any event, it's still way to early to make a judgment on Smardge.
The Cubs had no 2nd, 3rd or 4th round picks in 2006, and Smardge probably was the player with the most upside that was still available in what was considered by most experts to not be a very deep draft. People also need to keep in mind that Smardge did not dedicate himself to baseball full time until just this year.
I'm surprised you did not pick up on the 148 H in 113 IP and the .321 BAA. I think that is more telling than his K/BB. His BB/9 is not that bad, but it's obvious, without having actually seen him, that he is either getting way to much of the plate or he is not fooling anyone or a combination of both.
I have not seen any reports on Smardge's velocity this season, but if it was way off, we would have read something about it, and that would be cause to think he might have an injury. I know that, in spite of consistently throwing the ball low to mid 90's with an occasional upper 90's, Smardge has never been a classic strikeout pitcher. In 3 years at ND, he had 240 IP while giving up 236 H , 84 BB and 115 ER. He only struck out 159 in that span. Throughout his college and pro career, his GB/FB has always been 1.5:1 or better. He throws a heavy sinker, and he makes his living off of inducing ground balls. It's also worth noting that his college stats indicate he was more effective as a reliever than as a starter, but when you've invested in a player what the Cubs have in him, you'd better find out if he can start before you relegate him to the bullpen.
Jeff Samardzija's blog
Jeff Samardzija's blog
http://www.jeff-samardzija.com/blog.asp
http://www.jeff-samardzija.com/
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