Samardzija forgoes football: Fulltime Cub

[Guest]

 

Cute, but going back to play WR is not nearly as difficult as trying to be a QB in the NFL.

 

That said, it appears he is claiming his football life is over:

 

Corret me if I am wrong, but wasn't QC an OF in the Cubs system. WR and OF are similar positions........besides....I thought QC would had been a better WR then a QB in the NFL, anyways. But that is a moot point.

[Soul]

 

Cute, but going back to play WR is not nearly as difficult as trying to be a QB in the NFL.

 

That said, it appears he is claiming his football life is over:

 

Corret me if I am wrong, but wasn't QC an OF in the Cubs system. WR and OF are similar positions........besides....I thought QC would had been a better WR then a QB in the NFL, anyways. But that is a moot point.

 

Yeah, I think QC went to football just a year or two too early. Right after he insisted on being a QB, a few higher-profile athletes went to the pros as WRs when they played QB in college. I'll bet he would have made a much different decision today than he did back then.

[Soriano12]

I don't know if this has been brought up, but does his contract specify "no football"? Let's say the minor league season finishes up in late August, could he say, suit it up for the Bears?

 

[/pipedream]

[Jazz]

just a question. Samardizja has pro NFL speed right. Does that play into his baseball career at all. For example, as a batter, if he ever got on base, would we ever send him to steal a base? Just a question.

 

Either way, this is amazzing news. I think he will be a good one.

[Guancous]

I remember JS would have been a top ten five pick in the draft if it wasn't for the football. I heard he hit 97 (hopefully on a reliable radar gun). People are talking about a higher ceiling than Pawelek, Guzman and Veal. Does JS have a third pitch yet? A 2nd pitch even? He might see some action next year in relief.

 

I also keep hearing about how raw he is. Did anyone here see him pitch in the minors last year?

[Andy]

I don't know if this has been brought up, but does his contract specify "no football"? Let's say the minor league season finishes up in late August, could he say, suit it up for the Bears?

 

[/pipedream]

He returns his signing bonus if he pursues another sport.

 

just a question. Samardizja has pro NFL speed right. Does that play into his baseball career at all. For example, as a batter, if he ever got on base, would we ever send him to steal a base? Just a question.

He wasn't very fast for a major college receiver. His strengths were separation from the defender and the fact that he could catch just about anything within his airspace. He's probably fairly fast for a baseball player, but not fast enough to justify making him a base-stealer.

[Guest]

One thing in his favor is a theory that better athletes have an easier time repeating their motion. He'll be one of the better athletes to come along as a pitcher in a while.

[JGalt73]

Kevin Goldstein at BP had him ranked as the #7 Cubs prospect overall, and the #4 pitcher behind Veal, Gallagher, and Pawelek.

 

7. Jeff Samardzija, RHP

The Good: Was in the low 90s in 2005, touching the mid-90s at the beginning of this year, and pumping the occasional 99 on the gun by the end of the season. Tall, strong, and athletic with nearly the ideal power pitcher's build.

The Bad: Baseball is still secondary to football, so he's raw; control, location, and breaking ball all lag behind; a straightforward delivery makes him more of a thrower than a pitcher at this point; commitment to waiting for the NFL Draft means he won't play first full season until he's 23.

In A Perfect World, He Becomes: A power pitcher; it's hard to say anything more at this point.

Gap Between What He Is Now, And What He Can Be: High, and that's a concern for a college player. The record bonus is what it is, and plays no role in his ranking, but feelings on Samardzija fall into two camps. He's either far too raw to ever make it, or a potentially perfect diamond in the rough who is already a late first-round talent despite having little baseball experience. We won't know which sport he commits to until next spring.

[Fro]

He's listed as running a 4.6 40. I'd estimate that to be around Derrek Lee's speed, so I think he could steal a base or two if need be.

[Bruno7481]

I don't care if he can steal a base or not. It would be pointless to risk injury on a starting pitcher trying to steal a base.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I remember JS would have been a top ten five pick in the draft if it wasn't for the football. I heard he hit 97 (hopefully on a reliable radar gun). People are talking about a higher ceiling than Pawelek, Guzman and Veal. Does JS have a third pitch yet? A 2nd pitch even? He might see some action next year in relief.

 

I also keep hearing about how raw he is. Did anyone here see him pitch in the minors last year?

 

He'll start, esp in the lower minors (to get more IP).

 

His second pitch is his slider, third is his quickly developing change. All three have potential to be plus pitches.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Samardzija's $10 million contract breaks down as follows:

 

* Bonus: $2.5 million.

* 2007 salary: $300,000 ($380,000 if he reaches the majors).

* 2008 salary: $600,000 ($850,000 if he reaches the majors).

* 2009 salary: $1.3 million.

* 2010 salary: $2.5 million.

* 2011 salary: $2.8 million.

* 2012 club option: $3.0 million (he can opt out if arbitration-eligible).

* 2013 club option: $3.5 million (he can opt out if arbitration-eligible).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So where does he rank in order of our pitching prospects now. #1? Top 5? Top 10?

 

BTW...I'm no longer considering Hill a "prospect"

 

#1 (not counting Guzman). Higher ceiling than Veal.

 

Pawelek too?

 

I think he has a higher ceiling than Pawelek (and I'm probably not as down on Mark as others).

 

I could see arguments for Jeff being ranked below Veal and Gallagher, even Pawelek.

[Rob]

So where does he rank in order of our pitching prospects now. #1? Top 5? Top 10?

 

BTW...I'm no longer considering Hill a "prospect"

 

#1 (not counting Guzman). Higher ceiling than Veal.

 

Pawelek too?

 

I think he has a higher ceiling than Pawelek (and I'm probably not as down on Mark as others).

 

I could see arguments for Jeff being ranked below Veal and Gallagher, even Pawelek.

 

I'm as high on our pitching prospects as anybody on this board, and this is the way I see it.

 

Veal

Samardzija

Pawelek

Gallagher

 

That's for ceiling... overall (including value for being able to produce soon and likelyhood of reaching ceiling) ranking would go like this:

 

Veal

Gallagher

Samardzija

Pawelek

[nilodnayr]

So where does he rank in order of our pitching prospects now. #1? Top 5? Top 10?

 

BTW...I'm no longer considering Hill a "prospect"

 

#1 (not counting Guzman). Higher ceiling than Veal.

 

Pawelek too?

 

I think he has a higher ceiling than Pawelek (and I'm probably not as down on Mark as others).

 

I could see arguments for Jeff being ranked below Veal and Gallagher, even Pawelek.

 

Do you think Samardzija has the highest ceiling of the pitchers or is the best prospect? IMO under this circumstance those may have a wide gap.

[Outshined_One]

Do you think Samardzija has the highest ceiling of the pitchers or is the best prospect? IMO under this circumstance those may have a wide gap.

 

He's up there in terms of having the highest pure ceiling along with guys like Pawelek, Ceda, Huseby, and Veal. I'm hesitant to put him above Veal ceiling-wise, but that's about it.

 

As for being the best prospect, nah. I want to see what he can do over a full season before going as far as that.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Do you think Samardzija has the highest ceiling of the pitchers or is the best prospect? IMO under this circumstance those may have a wide gap.

 

He's up there in terms of having the highest pure ceiling along with guys like Pawelek, Ceda, Huseby, and Veal. I'm hesitant to put him above Veal ceiling-wise, but that's about it.

 

As for being the best prospect, nah. I want to see what he can do over a full season before going as far as that.

 

Ceda is a couple steps behind the others there in terms of ceiling.

 

Best pitching prospect? 1. Veal, 2. Gallagher, 3. Samardzija.

 

In terms of highest ceiling, I guess it comes down to how much you value left-handedness. :)

[nilodnayr]

Do you think Samardzija has the highest ceiling of the pitchers or is the best prospect? IMO under this circumstance those may have a wide gap.

 

He's up there in terms of having the highest pure ceiling along with guys like Pawelek, Ceda, Huseby, and Veal. I'm hesitant to put him above Veal ceiling-wise, but that's about it.

 

As for being the best prospect, nah. I want to see what he can do over a full season before going as far as that.

 

Thats kinda what I was getting at. Although, for me its not so much not having seen him over a full season, but how hugely raw he is. I know the reports say hes been a fast learner, but IMO right now hes like a (soon to be) 22 year old coming off his first year after graduating high school. He may have very high potential, but of our best prospects, he has the largest gap in comparison to where hes at right now.

[A New Era]

They have the samardzija press conference on cubs.com now. It wasn't there at first, and with all the cubs convention hoopla, it's easy to miss the fact there was a press conference, and it was recorded.

 

::watching now::. .

[Soul]

Samardzija's $10 million contract breaks down as follows:

 

* Bonus: $2.5 million.

* 2007 salary: $300,000 ($380,000 if he reaches the majors).

* 2008 salary: $600,000 ($850,000 if he reaches the majors).

* 2009 salary: $1.3 million.

* 2010 salary: $2.5 million.

* 2011 salary: $2.8 million.

* 2012 club option: $3.0 million (he can opt out if arbitration-eligible).

* 2013 club option: $3.5 million (he can opt out if arbitration-eligible).

 

Sounds good to me. By the time he breaks the million dollar barrier, he could very well be in the majors and pitching. And if he is, he's a cheap option.

 

Someone on Comcast this morning said Samardzija's fastball occasionally hits 99. I'll take that for 2mil/yr.

[nilodnayr]

Samardzija's $10 million contract breaks down as follows:

 

* Bonus: $2.5 million.

* 2007 salary: $300,000 ($380,000 if he reaches the majors).

* 2008 salary: $600,000 ($850,000 if he reaches the majors).

* 2009 salary: $1.3 million.

* 2010 salary: $2.5 million.

* 2011 salary: $2.8 million.

* 2012 club option: $3.0 million (he can opt out if arbitration-eligible).

* 2013 club option: $3.5 million (he can opt out if arbitration-eligible).

 

Sounds good to me. By the time he breaks the million dollar barrier, he could very well be in the majors and pitching. And if he is, he's a cheap option.

 

Someone on Comcast this morning said Samardzija's fastball occasionally hits 99. I'll take that for 2mil/yr.

 

Well if he makes it to the majors in 09 then we overpay his pre-arbi years by about 4M, but obviously we make that up in only paying him a 2.5M signing bonus. Overall its a fair contract if he makes it to the majors in 09 or 10.

[Ivy Walls]

So where does he rank in order of our pitching prospects now. #1? Top 5? Top 10?

 

BTW...I'm no longer considering Hill a "prospect"

 

#1 (not counting Guzman). Higher ceiling than Veal.

 

Pawelek too?

 

I think he has a higher ceiling than Pawelek (and I'm probably not as down on Mark as others).

 

I could see arguments for Jeff being ranked below Veal and Gallagher, even Pawelek.

 

I'm as high on our pitching prospects as anybody on this board, and this is the way I see it.

 

Veal

Samardzija

Pawelek

Gallagher

 

That's for ceiling... overall (including value for being able to produce soon and likelyhood of reaching ceiling) ranking would go like this:

 

Veal

Gallagher

Samardzija

Pawelek

 

without knowing their respective mental capabilities or their competitiveness and drive.

 

Each has to gain more command and control and build another pitch. Pawelek embodies the southpaw development speed and has to improve mechanics, Samardzija is very big strong and athletic. He has already competed at a top level and under pressure. So I think he will fast track. Gallagher could be as smart and crafty as Maddux only time will tell. Veal has all the tools, lefty big, power and a curve. However odds are that only two will make it.

 

Other good thoughts are that I heard privately as reported in the press Prior is actually healthy for the first time since '04. Figure the fastest for Samardzija is June '08, more likely September call up in '08. This is the same timetable for Veal where Gallagher could be seen sometime this year if everything goes well.

 

Depending on the wish of Zambrano...get signed long term (I wonder what his demand is, Zito or Schmidt like?, if signed) Zambrano, Hill, Prior (if healthy) or Marquis , Lilly, competition for open spot with Marquis in '08 with Gallagher. If Gallagher makes the team Marquis becomes tradeable. In '09 figure Veal and Samardzija are on the horizon and if they ascend than someone else is tradeable.

[CubsWin]

Depending on the wish of Zambrano...get signed long term (I wonder what his demand is, Zito or Schmidt like?, if signed)

According to the Cubs Convention report on ChicagoSports.com, Big Z is looking for Zito money.

 

Zambrano has a new perm and wants Barry Zito-type money...Hendry will meet with Zambrano's agent for the second time on Saturday, hoping to sign him to a multiyear deal before the end of March. Zambrano confirmed he's looking for something in the Zito range—$18 million per year—and said he will play out his contract if no deal is worked out by Opening Day.

 

"Zito is a great pitcher, and it's good for him he got that contract, and I think that will help me," Zambrano said.

 

Zambrano, Hill, Prior (if healthy) or Marquis , Lilly, competition for open spot with Marquis in '08 with Gallagher. If Gallagher makes the team Marquis becomes tradeable.

He's got to pitch decently first. :(

[Brian]

WOW :shock: watching the press conference. Jeff got a NTC. I've never heard of a draft pick getting a NTC.

[David]

 

Other good thoughts are that I heard privately as reported in the press Prior is actually healthy for the first time since '04. Figure the fastest for Samardzija is June '08, more likely September call up in '08. This is the same timetable for Veal where Gallagher could be seen sometime this year if everything goes well.

 

Not to nitpick, but the last time Prior was healthy and pitching well was the beginning of '05. Then a line drive hit his elbow.

 

He did pretty well the rest of that season, but at the start he really was looking like 2003 Prior.

Edited January 20, 2007 by David