BA's Pitching Prospects To Watch in the Spring

[CaliforniaRaisin]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2009/267704.html

 

CUBS

 

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: RHP Jeff Samardzija

The former Notre Dame tight end got his summons in late July and became a key factor for the Cubs' bullpen in August and September. He could return in a relief role, but it'll be interesting to see if Lou Piniella prefers him starting at Triple-A Iowa, where Samardzija could continue to sharpen his command and serve as a valuable No. 6 starter should the Cubs need, say, a two-week stop-gap.

 

COULD MAKE NOISE: RHP Kevin Hart

Now armed with a cut fastball, which he adopted at Double-A Tennessee in 2007, Hart is a formidable reliever whose presence could allow the Cubs to ship Samardzija to Iowa.

 

LONG-SHOT CANDIDACY: RHP Esmailin Caridad

A 5-foot-10 Dominican who turned pro in Japan in 2007, Caridad hits camp as a non-roster invite. He struck out 88 and walked 38 in 152 innings at high Class A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee last year, then struck out 17 (and walked five) in 16 innings in the Arizona Fall League.

 

Jose Ceda was the Marlins' "golden opportunity" but he has already been shut down with right shoulder aggravation.

[imb]

samardzija is white = tight end

[apete6]

Since when is Kevin Hart "formidable"?

 

I must have just been imagining that 6.51 ERA and WHIP over 2.00 last year.

[Cubswin11]

Didn't Hart start to throw the cutter back in 07? Isn't that why he showed a little improvement, from being a journeyman minor leaguer to a fringe ML bullpen pitcher?

[Guest]

Didn't Hart start to throw the cutter back in 07? Isn't that why he showed a little improvement, from being a journeyman minor leaguer to a fringe ML bullpen pitcher?

 

Correct.

 

Apparently he had a noticeable bump in velocity last season as a 1-inning reliever at Iowa that impressed scouts.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Didn't Hart start to throw the cutter back in 07? Isn't that why he showed a little improvement, from being a journeyman minor leaguer to a fringe ML bullpen pitcher?

 

Yes.

[Post Count Padder]

a) Samardzija was not a TE

b) Why do people still insist Hart is good?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

BA is a big fan of Hart as a reliever.

 

http://cubsminors.wikispaces.com/HartK

[badnews]

He has a pitch called he calls "The Hart Stopper" but no one else does.

[tfarks]

He has a pitch called he calls "The Hart Stopper" but no one else does.

 

:rotfl:

 

Was I the only one who found this hilarious?

[erik316wttn]

He has a pitch called he calls "The Hart Stopper" but no one else does.

 

:rotfl:

 

Was I the only one who found this hilarious?

 

Yes.

[cubfan]

He has a pitch called he calls "The Hart Stopper" but no one else does.

 

:rotfl:

 

Was I the only one who found this hilarious?

 

Yes.

 

I don't know, it might not work for baseball but the "Hart Stopper" could be effective if he turns to professional wrestling if baseball dosen't work out.

[Brett]

He has a pitch called he calls "The Hart Stopper" but no one else does.

 

:rotfl:

 

Was I the only one who found this hilarious?

 

Yes.

If it was intended to be one of those jokes that is knowingly and intentionally cheesy, then it was funny.

[The Logan]

I call this one The Terminator. If you get a piece of it, I'll let you rename it...