Shark to the Bullpen

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to Inside the Ivy, Samardzija is being moved to the bullpen.

 

Link.

 

“This was an organizational decision,” said Rich Bombard, Samardzija’s pitching coach at Daytona. “Right now, we feel that this kind of little change will help him.”

Samardzija was 0-5 with a 5.75 ERA in 51 2/3 innings from the Daytona starting rotation. He struck out 20, walked 16, and allowed a .349 average to opposing hitters.

 

“We’re just trying to change things up a little bit and try a different

[Coach C]

Yeesh, sounds like he's getting roughed up good at Dayton.

 

Hopefully he'll bounce back.

[cuubs4life]

He projects better as a closer than a starter. i have always thought this move would come in his minor league career, I just didnt think it would be this early.

[Guest]

Meh, he'd get more innings in the Daytona rotation. And that's what he needs.

[TruffleShuffle]

boy i'm feeling great about this kid already

[Mephistopheles]

lol

 

 

thats about all i need to say

[RichHillIsABeast]

Meh, he'd get more innings in the Daytona rotation. And that's what he needs.

 

Yup.

[E.J.]

Only 20 k's in 52 innings? Yikes that's bad.

[illiniguy]

Eh it was only $10million lol.

[Jon]

What a sad, sad organization...

 

Are they really that concerned about his confidence?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The Cubs front office has to be going out drinking and then making bets about how they can one up each other.

[YearofDaCubs]

Wow

[Post Count Padder]

I hope he turns it around

[abuck1220]

ALEX RIOS, GUYS, ALEX RIOS!

[jersey cubs fan]

Trying to cover their butts this early, huh. This can't help persuade the Trib to let them spend appropriately on this year's draft.

 

Unlike Gallagher, Samardzija is a guy who needs to be in the rotation racking up the innings. Although I guess this helps them keep his innings total from going too far beyond anything he's done before.

[Outshined_One]

Oh dear Lord, this organization is losing it.

 

...moreso than usual.

Edited June 6, 2007 by Outshined_One

[soonercub]

I watched a couple of his spring training appearances and I was really impressed with the movement he was getting on the sinker.

 

At this point he is more of a thrower than a pitcher and with his football mentality he could have a good future as a closer. Also, in the bullpen he only needs to develop 2 good pitches, especially if he can throw in the mid to upper 90's as reported.

 

Overall, probably the best move for him and the organization.

 

His numbers don't look good to date this year, but you don't know if they were making him throw his secondary pitches more to help with their development.

[Lefty]

lol

 

 

thats about all i need to say

 

Is this a great organization or what?

[USSoccer]

This is getting funny.

[TruffleShuffle]

ALEX RIOS, GUYS, ALEX RIOS!

 

my bad, i withdraw all criticism and cynicism about colvin and samardzija. tom wilkins can do know wrong!

[rawaction]

Only 20 k's in 52 innings? Yikes that's bad.

 

They play 1 out innings in the FSL. So, that makes that number pretty solid.

 

No, seriously, I hope this is just a temporary move. I do think longterm he's a short reliever, but if you draft a guy as high as the Cubs did, you have to give him the innings over less talented arms.

[Guest]

I watched a couple of his spring training appearances and I was really impressed with the movement he was getting on the sinker.

 

At this point he is more of a thrower than a pitcher and with his football mentality he could have a good future as a closer. Also, in the bullpen he only needs to develop 2 good pitches, especially if he can throw in the mid to upper 90's as reported.

 

Overall, probably the best move for him and the organization.

 

His numbers don't look good to date this year, but you don't know if they were making him throw his secondary pitches more to help with their development.

 

It sounds like he has lost a bit of velo from those ST games...he's been in the low 90s this season. Granted, in ST, he was pitching one or two innings at a time and could air it out a bit more, but that is still a bit disconcerting. I do remember reading from Arizona Phil that Samardzija left a ST minor league outing at Fitch early for an undisclosed reason and it could have been an injury (this was at the end of March, after he had been optioned back to the minor league squads).

[Guest]

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/TheRoar/sptROAR060607.htm

 

Bombard said Samardzija has shown he's capable of pitching on this level, but the young righty hasn't consistently had good command of his pitches.

 

"He has struggled," Bombard said. "Once he gets through these struggles -- and he will -- with some success, he'll be a better pitcher.

 

"Basically, he's still a raw pitcher. He didn't pitch in high school. He barely pitched at Notre Dame, and last year he had five starts in Boise and two starts in Peoria. Then, he had to go back to football. He's still learning. When his command improves, he'll be fine."

 

Davis said he didn't think the move was made in order to motivate Samardzija.

 

"You don't have to do any spurring with Jeff," Davis said. "He's a competitor. He'll bounce back and battle."

[Exile on Waveland]

This doesn't sound good. He needs innings, let him pitch. $10 million...

[Soriano12]

LOL....nice waste of money there Jimbo.