The Jeff Samardzija Thread

[goonys evil twin]

Can this kid really be good? What does he have other than good size that grades him so high?

 

Not much. He doesn't have much velocity, from what I've heard. Everything says he's extremely raw. It's all about the tools. He's going to be quite a project for the developmental people.

 

I should add, yes, he probably could be really good. It'll just take a ton of work, and luck.

If 99 isn't good velocity, then we agree.

 

I thought I read he was in the very low 90's.

 

I'd take back my statement if it was 99.

[CubColtPacer]

Can this kid really be good? What does he have other than good size that grades him so high?

 

Not much. He doesn't have much velocity, from what I've heard. Everything says he's extremely raw. It's all about the tools. He's going to be quite a project for the developmental people.

 

I should add, yes, he probably could be really good. It'll just take a ton of work, and luck.

If 99 isn't good velocity, then we agree.

 

I thought I read he was in the very low 90's.

 

I'd take back my statement if it was 99.

 

I've heard both. He's regularly in the low 90's (93-95), but can get it up to 99.

[Guest]

Can this kid really be good? What does he have other than good size that grades him so high?

 

Not much. He doesn't have much velocity, from what I've heard. Everything says he's extremely raw. It's all about the tools. He's going to be quite a project for the developmental people.

 

I should add, yes, he probably could be really good. It'll just take a ton of work, and luck.

If 99 isn't good velocity, then we agree.

 

He can throw 99 right now? A real 99 would be a very good thing.

That's peak speed, but yes, he has thrown that hard.

[Guest]

Can this kid really be good? What does he have other than good size that grades him so high?

 

Not much. He doesn't have much velocity, from what I've heard. Everything says he's extremely raw. It's all about the tools. He's going to be quite a project for the developmental people.

 

I should add, yes, he probably could be really good. It'll just take a ton of work, and luck.

If 99 isn't good velocity, then we agree.

 

I thought I read he was in the very low 90's.

 

I'd take back my statement if it was 99.

I believe he's supposed to sit around 93, which is still very good velocity for a guy's "average" fastball. For example, that's around what Prior was when he was at his best.

 

But when he wants to bring it, he can pump it near 100.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

He was routinely clocked at 96 and topped out at 99 at ND this past spring.

 

He was mid-90s topping out at 96 at Boise.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Does he have a body that can fill out some more? Like Colvin? Or is he as big as he is going to get in physical development?

[UBlink]

just for safety reasons im a bad person and hope he breaks his arm (clean break) in the senior bowl (non throwing, of course)

 

I think this would significantly decrease his chances to ever sniff the major leagues as a pitcher.

 

Bet you a thousand bucks youll drop that statement tomorrow after lunch^

 

Excellent call - timing was perfect!

 

You may have to read between the lines, but NSBB can be a pretty accurate source.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So where does Samardzija go on your rankings now that he's baseball full-time? I'd say top 3.

[goonys evil twin]

So where does Samardzija go on your rankings now that he's baseball full-time? I'd say top 3.

 

I'm not a big fan of putting such recently drafted players that high, unless they are the true super studs drafted in the top couple. At least make him put up a really good half season.

[Outshined_One]

Does he have a body that can fill out some more? Like Colvin? Or is he as big as he is going to get in physical development?

 

I believe he's pretty much as filled out as he can get. You need a fair amount of muscle mass to play football, especially the way he plays WR in going over the middle and whatnot.

[craig]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070119cubsdeal,1,2250341.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

 

Maybe posted on other board. But if this thread is correct, the money in the deal is unbelievable. Claims he got a $10/5 guarantee, with Cubs having two more option years that could make it $16.5.

 

That's some serious money.

 

For right or wrong, I think the Cubs might like this cat more than we'd understand why based on the BA-published scouting reports.

[UK1679666180]

Give the Cubs scouting dept. credit (esepc. Zielinski) when it's due. He did his homework on this one and it appears to have paid off.

[goonys evil twin]

Give the Cubs scouting dept. credit (esepc. Zielinski) when it's due. He did his homework on this one and it appears to have paid off.

 

For Jeff at least.

 

We won't know if it pays off for the Cubs for several years. That's a ton of scratch, and reportedly a NTC as well, which takes away a huge amount of any prospects value.

[UK1679666180]

Give the Cubs scouting dept. credit (esepc. Zielinski) when it's due. He did his homework on this one and it appears to have paid off.

 

For Jeff at least.

 

We won't know if it pays off for the Cubs for several years. That's a ton of scratch, and reportedly a NTC as well, which takes away a huge amount of any prospects value.

 

They're able to take a 1st round projection who at the time was considered a more likely bet for FB rather than BB and select him in the 5th round and able to sign him while getting starts at SS and low-A, that's a success, IMO.

 

Not many teams would've done the work or used the resources to find out what his intentions truly were and then to actually take that chance is something that doesn't happen that often. It's similar to when teams draft a player lower than he is slotted and while signing him higher than the slotted pick (Eric Patterson or Hellickson from TB come to mind), is able to prevent him from going to school or going back to school. In this case, it involves not only school and cont. to play BB, but obviously FB as well. Even if Patterson doesn't pan out, the inital aspect of being able to draft and more imp. sign someone with that ceiling is a success.

[goonys evil twin]

Give the Cubs scouting dept. credit (esepc. Zielinski) when it's due. He did his homework on this one and it appears to have paid off.

 

For Jeff at least.

 

We won't know if it pays off for the Cubs for several years. That's a ton of scratch, and reportedly a NTC as well, which takes away a huge amount of any prospects value.

 

They're able to take a 1st round projection who at the time was considered a more likely bet for FB rather than BB and select him in the 5th round and able to sign him while getting starts at SS and low-A, that's a success, IMO.

 

Not many teams would've done the work or used the resources to find out what his intentions truly were and then to actually take that chance is something that doesn't happen that often. It's similar to when teams draft a player lower than he is slotted and while signing him higher than the slotted pick (Eric Patterson or Hellickson from TB come to mind), is able to prevent him from going to school or going back to school. In this case, it involves not only school and cont. to play BB, but obviously FB as well. Even if Patterson doesn't pan out, the inital aspect of being able to draft and more imp. sign someone with that ceiling is a success.

 

Yes, they were successful signing him, throwing unprecedented money around helps. But we won't know if it pays off for quite a while. Just getting a guy signed is worthless if he turns into nothing and can't be traded for anything of value.

[UK1679666180]

That's the beauty of this stage, he's a high ceiling pitcher locked up for the long-haul.

[CuseCubFan69]

Give the Cubs scouting dept. credit (esepc. Zielinski) when it's due. He did his homework on this one and it appears to have paid off.

 

For Jeff at least.

 

We won't know if it pays off for the Cubs for several years. That's a ton of scratch, and reportedly a NTC as well, which takes away a huge amount of any prospects value.

 

They're able to take a 1st round projection who at the time was considered a more likely bet for FB rather than BB and select him in the 5th round and able to sign him while getting starts at SS and low-A, that's a success, IMO.

 

Not many teams would've done the work or used the resources to find out what his intentions truly were and then to actually take that chance is something that doesn't happen that often. It's similar to when teams draft a player lower than he is slotted and while signing him higher than the slotted pick (Eric Patterson or Hellickson from TB come to mind), is able to prevent him from going to school or going back to school. In this case, it involves not only school and cont. to play BB, but obviously FB as well. Even if Patterson doesn't pan out, the inital aspect of being able to draft and more imp. sign someone with that ceiling is a success.

 

Yes, they were successful signing him, throwing unprecedented money around helps. But we won't know if it pays off for quite a while. Just getting a guy signed is worthless if he turns into nothing and can't be traded for anything of value.

 

He may have a no trade but do you know if it's a full no trade contract?

[UK1679666180]

 

He may have a no trade but do you know if it's a full no trade contract?

 

I'm sure he wouldn't mind being traded to the White Sox.

 

(I'm joking... hopefully)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Give the Cubs scouting dept. credit (esepc. Zielinski) when it's due. He did his homework on this one and it appears to have paid off.

 

For Jeff at least.

 

We won't know if it pays off for the Cubs for several years. That's a ton of scratch, and reportedly a NTC as well, which takes away a huge amount of any prospects value.

 

They're able to take a 1st round projection who at the time was considered a more likely bet for FB rather than BB and select him in the 5th round and able to sign him while getting starts at SS and low-A, that's a success, IMO.

 

Not many teams would've done the work or used the resources to find out what his intentions truly were and then to actually take that chance is something that doesn't happen that often. It's similar to when teams draft a player lower than he is slotted and while signing him higher than the slotted pick (Eric Patterson or Hellickson from TB come to mind), is able to prevent him from going to school or going back to school. In this case, it involves not only school and cont. to play BB, but obviously FB as well. Even if Patterson doesn't pan out, the inital aspect of being able to draft and more imp. sign someone with that ceiling is a success.

 

They also did their homework on Huseby and Rundle's intentions. The area scouts did a great job.

[Mephistopheles]

So where does Samardzija go on your rankings now that he's baseball full-time? I'd say top 3.

Given the lack of results and mixing reports on how dominant his fastball has been, I still think you have to put him behind the likes of Sean Gallagher and Mark Pawelek. He's close to Chris Huseby in my opinion, whose projection is just as much and has shown much better secondary stuff. Next year will say a lot.

[Athletics36]

you have got to be kidding me "Top 3" you folks are frothing at the mouth like this kid is some kind of "Saviour" How bout we wait till the player has finished a season. Reports of his hitting 99/97 are inconsistent and from reports I have read 92/93. As for starts in Boise and Peoria I would hope he did well as he was 21 playing against players a few years younger than him. I will give him credit that he is a fine athlete but reports also stated he needs a lot of work.

[Guancous]

That's the beauty of this stage, he's a high ceiling pitcher locked up for the long-haul.

 

I'd say there's a 10% chance this works out for the best. I'd say that's a lot higher than most first round pitchers. Even with the injuries, I'd say signing Prior was a success. I'd be happy with Ted Lilly numbers for the life of the contract.

[CUBZ99]

you have got to be kidding me "Top 3" you folks are frothing at the mouth like this kid is some kind of "Saviour" How bout we wait till the player has finished a season. Reports of his hitting 99/97 are inconsistent and from reports I have read 92/93. As for starts in Boise and Peoria I would hope he did well as he was 21 playing against players a few years younger than him. I will give him credit that he is a fine athlete but reports also stated he needs a lot of work.

 

Its not like the Cubs farm system is loaded with high ceiling talent and for a guy that hasn't taken baseball that serious, he has been pretty impressive. Along with Veal, Gallagher, Pawelek, and Huseby you got to excuse some of us for being exicted about adding another good arm. Can't wait to see how these guys produce next year.

 

From Cubs.com:

 

Even without the focus, Samardzija showed a fastball that hit the radar gun anywhere between 91 and 98 mph with good movement and command. He throws a slider that looked like it could be a plus pitch this summer, and he's got a good feel for a changeup. Those secondary pitches will likely improve by leaps and bounds, now that he's playing only baseball. He already has a coordinated delivery and shows an innate understanding of the little things that pitchers do, like holding runners and fielding his position.

 

BTW does anybody know when the 16 year old pitcher (Suarez?) from the Dominican will make his debut in the minors? Haven't seen much on him since they signed him.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

you have got to be kidding me "Top 3" you folks are frothing at the mouth like this kid is some kind of "Saviour" How bout we wait till the player has finished a season. Reports of his hitting 99/97 are inconsistent and from reports I have read 92/93. As for starts in Boise and Peoria I would hope he did well as he was 21 playing against players a few years younger than him. I will give him credit that he is a fine athlete but reports also stated he needs a lot of work.

 

Why wait a year to deem how worthy a prospect is of a particular ranking? The ranking is based on his scouting report and how one thinks he will turn out as of now.

 

He might be 21 in A-ball, but he has had much less experience and coaching than your normal 21-year old.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Even without the focus, Samardzija showed a fastball that hit the radar gun anywhere between 91 and 98 mph with good movement and command. He throws a slider that looked like it could be a plus pitch this summer, and he's got a good feel for a changeup. Those secondary pitches will likely improve by leaps and bounds, now that he's playing only baseball. He already has a coordinated delivery and shows an innate understanding of the little things that pitchers do, like holding runners and fielding his position.

 

I had heard elsewhere that Samardzija didn't have good movement on his FB. I'd like to believe cubs.com, but I believe they're tooting their own guy's horn right here.

 

BTW does anybody know when the 16 year old pitcher (Suarez?) from the Dominican will make his debut in the minors? Haven't seen much on him since they signed him.

 

Larry Suarez was supposedly in Mesa for Instructs this past fall (though I didn't read anything about him actually being there). I think he'll end up on the Cubs' Dominican squad this summer, Mesa the season after.