Jeff Samardzija to be Promoted to Iowa
by Brett Taylor on Jun 22, 2008 11:21 AM CDT
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If Inside the Ivy is to believed - and they are usually pretty good on this stuff - Jeff Samardzija is being promoted to AAA Iowa.
At first blush, this looks like a purely contract-related move. I'm sure we all remember the large, ML contract Jeff was given to entice him to forego any thoughts of a football career. Afterall, he's currently sporting an ugly 5.32 ERA in AA, with just 41 strikeouts in 66 innings.
But let's remember this happened to Jeff last year. Midway through the season last year, Jeff was struggling at high A Daytona - to the tune of a 4.95 ERA. But then, inexplicably, he was promoted to Tennessee. How did Jeff respond? He actually *dropped* his ERA by a run and a half.
Am I saying Jeff is somehow magically better at higher levels? Of course not. But maybe he's the kind of kid who needs to be challenged. I can't be the only one who has watched him for two Spring Trainings against ML competition and been impressed with his makeup and stuff. I have wondered for two years how the guy I see in ST is the same guy struggling in the low minors. Of course, I'm not convinced that his numbers aren't at all related to certain pitches he's been asked to work on - but I'm totally speculating on that.
So who knows what will happen? People will say this is just because of Samardzija's contract, and he doesn't deserve this promotion. Maybe they're right. But I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing how Jeff responds against ever-better competition.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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I've never done one of these before
But I read this just a bit ago and thought people would be interested to hear. Hope I did it right.
Iowa needs starting pitching
The promotion is probably due to Iowa’s shortage of starting pitching more than anything. Hart is out, Marshall is probably heading to Wrigley and then there’s Hill.
I heard Hart was hit in the face with a liner
But I haven’t heard how bad it is. Anyone know what they’re saying?
"I love when they play that Go Cubs Win song."
MIld concussion
Hendry said he’ll miss a start, but that he’s okay. It was on Cubs.com a few days ago
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jun 22, 2008 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Thank you.
"I love when they play that Go Cubs Win song."
Iheard he was promoted
due to his recent success. In his last start, he went 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits.
"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying" - Michael Jordan, the one and only...
Iowa's need
Is definitely part of the equation – though a strong argument could have been made for guys like Russell or Atkins to get the bump over Samardzija.
And you’re right, Jeff has been very good over his last 3 or 4 starts, IIRC.
With Hart, Marshall and Gallagher not available...
...and Rich Hill, well, I’m not talking about that, Iowa’s rotation would otherwise look like this:
J.R. Mathes
Randy Wells
Justin Berg
Mike Burns
Gregory Reinhard
Yeah.
Yeah is right.
And if Samardzija does well at Iowa, do not be surprised to see him get a September callup… or maybe even earlier.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I wouldn't be surprised
I’d be happy with the callup.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 22, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I think it's more likely that he makes an appearance as a reliever...
...than as a starter. Lou likes to break folks in in the ‘pen first, if nothing else.
If we run away and hide they might give him a start or two as they are adjusting the rotation and such for the playoffs.
Go Cubs
by puckishcubsfan on Jun 22, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Lou is a big believer in Earl Weaver's idea...
...that “the best place for a young starting pitcher is in long relief.” It’s what he did with Hart and Gallagher last season. That way you ease them into it in a lower-pressure situation, so that by the time their first start rolls around, it’s not their first major league appearance as well and they have some confidence that they can pitch in the majors.
Given the way our pitching is set up currently (with Lieber available to move into the rotation, and with the Cubs front office working to add some rotation help) I think it’s a longshot to see Samardzija starting in the majors, unless he suddenly starts going through AAA hitting like Godzilla going through Tokyo.
Of course, you have to realize that the needs of the big-league club (and the organization) trump everything else, and sometimes you just call up the guy who’s day it is to pitch, because you need somebody that day and you really just care that his arm is live. (That’s how Ryan O’Malley got a chance to start in the majors.) So never say never.
Agreed
even Zambrano pitched relief in his first stint with the big club, Id be interested to see if he can surpass the hype.
but like mentioned in the original post, this is what, his second year solely concentrating on baseball in his entire life? So I wouldnt worry about the numbers too much, more about his skill progression and make up on the mound.
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
The reason you worry about the numbers...
...is when they tell you something about the underlying talent level of the player. His ERA doesn’t bother me any – in fact, if you look at his underlying performance, there’s a lot more to like about Samardzija this season than last, especially with his low home run rate.
The problem, at least for projecting him as an MLB starter, is his (relatively) high walk and (relatively) low strikeout rates; they’re about even. At some point you want to see him start missing bats.
What I don’t know – and the reason that you really need scouting to go with stats for minor leaguers – is what pitches they’ve been having him throw in AA. If they’re making him work on his secondary pitches to the exclusion of his fastball, maybe the strikeouts will go up once he starts throwing the heater again. I simply don’t know.
He's almost certain
to get a September call-up, when he’ll pitch mop-up relief. He’d likely get a start if the Cubs clinch early and are just playing out the string for four or five games.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 22, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you really think so Al?
I had a chance to talk to him for a few minutes at the convention. He really impressed me with his maturity and his poise and he seemed like a heck of a kid,. I really am rooting for him. Of course I root for all the Cubs but I’m particularly am rooting for him,
Go Cubs
by puckishcubsfan on Jun 22, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
After seeing Wells pitch in person
I kind of like him. He’s middle-reliever material in the majors, but I think he’s got a shot.
Yesterday he got knocked around real good, though.
But after Wells, that’s a terrible group of flotsam and jetsam. They needed to promote somebody.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 22, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I mentioned this in the ML Wrap
Iowa is short pitchers and the Shark has the mental profile to handle a promotion more easily than Veal or Russell.
After last season, who knows how he’ll do?
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
Samardjiza has looked like a reliever
In ST anyway, already. That is to say, he looks at his best when he can hang it all out there – not having to save anything for a prolonged outting.
Iowa Needs Arms
With all the crappy weather there are back-to-back double headers next weekend so Iowa could use him.
That's probably one of the main reasons for the callup.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I wonder if he
will be pitching on the 28th when I’m at the I-Cubs game? That would be fun to get to see him pitch. Am looking forward to seeing Pie play too. One of the young girls going with us is making a sign that says “I like Pie”.
jeff
what,s this guy get,2 mill a year to play minor league ball??? what a country. i do hope he does well.the cubs put a lot of money into this guy.
Samardzilja
I wonder if he doesn’t succeed how long Jeff will keep playing baseball before considering giving up his contract and returning to football?
I hope he succeeds obviously but I do wonder about that.
Right now the Bears need him more than the Cubs.
Go Cubs
The list of two sport stars who flopped is sobering...
Josh Booty, Drew Henson (was a bust in the NFL too), Joe Borchard…
GET Rich Harden !!! 10 starts, 4-0, 59 IP, 72 Ks, 2.44 ERA !!!
And the list of two sport stars who succeeded
includes Joe Mauer, Todd Helton, Brian Jordan, Kirk Gibson, Mark DeRosa, Kenny Lofton, Adam Dunn, Grady Sizemore, Jeff Francouer, Darin Erstad, etc., etc. Heck, even Bo Jackson.
You just never let the facts get in the way of your stupidity, do you?
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 23, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Strange promotion
Samardzija has done jack scratch since being drafted. There has been nothing about his performance over the last two seasons to get excited about. And now he’s being “promoted” to Triple A? Actually I’m not sure it really is a promotion when you consider the dubious aging nature of most Triple A lineup cards.
GET Rich Harden !!! 10 starts, 4-0, 59 IP, 72 Ks, 2.44 ERA !!!
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