Samardzija Makes Rotation

[NDdomer2]

According to what may be the weakest ESPN article ever (which is saying a lot) Samardzija locked up his spot as the 5th starter for the cubs with his 6 shutout innings yesterday.

Samardzija's work pays off, makes rotation - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

 

[BGIF]

Shark puts bite in Cubs rotation.

 

[NDdomer2]

Shark puts bite in Cubs rotation.

And you have just provided me with more information than the ESPN article.

 

[jimmymac]

That might be the worst thing. I have ever read. They better fire him. The guy that wrote that article.

(italic font used to copy writing style of author if that needs explanation)

 

[BGIF]

And you have just provided me with more information than the ESPN article.

One of the many benefits of IrishEnvy.

 

[ab2cmiller]

It says he wrapped up the number 3 spot in the rotation not the number 5 spot. Hats off to Jeff for putting in the work.

 

[NDdomer2]

It says he wrapped up the number 3 spot in the rotation not the number 5 spot. Hats off to Jeff for putting in the work.

When I first clicked the link. The title was something along the lines of him locking up the final spot in the rotation. I just assumed it would be the 5 spot.

 

[NDdomer2]

Also, Randy Wells was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Atta boy, Jeff!

 

[Irish2155]

Said he hit a tripple the other day...scouts described him as being fast around the bases.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Looking at some older articles, it said that the manager had previously determined his number 1, 2 and 5 starters. Paul Maholm was previously named the 5th starter.

Does anyone have any insight as to why Maholm would be sloted for the 5th position and leave the 3rd and 4th slots open. Maholm is a lefty, and everyone else is righties. Any insight?

 

[BGIF]

Said he hit a tripple the other day...scouts described him as being fast around the bases.

Probably because he doesn't have to hitch anymore. He can just fly like Golden.

Did they list his 90?

 

[JT_IRISH]

As a die hard Cub and ND fan I've been rooting for him since day 1. He's got good stuff when it's under control and stays around the zone. Hopefully being in the rotation regularly will give him more consistency. I think he can become a very good MLB starter, if not great. Go Cubs!!!

 

[clashmore_mike]

Can't wait to wear my green Cubs shirt with the shamrock on the sleeve and Samardzija and number on the back. Its been folded neatly in my dresser for a couple years.

 

[ChiRish]

Said he hit a tripple the other day...scouts described him as being fast around the bases.

Yeah he's actually one of the more athletic guys on the team, obviously. I miss watching him play football at ND, but I guess as a Cubs fan I can handle seeing him now every 5th day for the Cubs. I always thought that if he worked on his offspeed stuff he'd be a stud. Hope it comes true.

 

[ndyeater]

good for jeff..wish him the best of luck

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

Also, Randy Wells was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Surprising. He was bad last year but the whole staff was. He was terrific in 2010.

Hopefully Samardzija can keep the ball down in the zone and thus inside the ballpark. It should be a nice development year as a starter for him with little pressure... because the Cubs are going to be awful.

 

[BGIF]

Chris CwikJack MooreR.J. WhiteReport: Cubs could shut down pitcher Jeff Samardzija in the next two weeks
By Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

September 6, 2012

Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija could be shut down in the next two weeks, according to the Chicago Sun Times' Gordon Wittenmyer.

Manager Dale Sveum will meet with the organization in order to determine what it wants to do with Samardzija. Samardzija already has thrown 165 2/3 innings this season, nearly twice as many as he tossed last year. While he hasn't shown signs of fatigue recently, the team doesn't want to put him “in harm's way.”

In his first full season as a starter, Samardzija has excelled. He has a 3.91 ERA and 3.66 FIP, and leads the pitching staff with 3.1 WAR. Samardzija is making just $2.6 million this season, and is under Cubs' control for at least three more years. He won't be a free agent until after the 2015 season.

 

[Grahambo]

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[ab2cmiller]

As expected the Cubs have shut down Samardzija for the year since the Cubs are going nowhere and was Jeff's first season throwing so many innings. However the Shark ended his year in style by throwing his first MLB complete game on Saturday.
Samardzija proves himself as a starter - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

Overall just a great year for Jeff, better then most would've anticipated. Had a very consistent year with the exception of June which was horrendous (10.41 ERA in June). Something must've been wrong with him. If you exclude that month, he had an ERA of 2.69 for the rest of the year.

Biggest concern coming into the year was a lack of control with far to many walks. However he made huge improvements this year. His K/BB this year was 3.21 with his previous MLB ratio had been 1.42. His BB/9 was 2.89 with his previous MLB ratio being 5.30

Stat Line for the year
W-L: 9-13
ERA: 3.81
IP: 174.2
K's: 180
BB: 56
K/9:: 9.27 (7th Best in MLB)
K/BB: 3.21 (32nd Best in MLB)
WHIP: 1.22 (35th Best in MLB)
BAA: .240 (23rd Best in MLB)

 

[BGIF]

As expected the Cubs have shut down Samardzija for the year since the Cubs are going nowhere and was Jeff's first season throwing so many innings. However the Shark ended his year in style by throwing his first MLB complete game on Saturday.

Overall just a great year for Jeff, better then most would've anticipated. Had a very consistent year with the exception of June which was horrendous (10.41 ERA in June). Something must've been wrong with him. If you exclude that month, he had an ERA of 2.69 for the rest of the year.

Biggest concern coming into the year was a lack of control with far to many walks. However he made huge improvements this year. His K/BB this year was 3.21 with his previous MLB ratio had been 1.42. His BB/9 was 2.89 with his previous MLB ratio being 5.30

Stat Line for the year
W-L: 9-13
ERA: 3.81
IP: 174.2
K's: 180
BB: 56
K/9:: 9.27 (7th Best in MLB)
K/BB: 3.21 (32nd Best in MLB)
WHIP: 1.22 (35th Best in MLB)
BAA: .240 (23rd Best in MLB)

A 3.81 ERA is pretty good in today's baseball but a 2.69 would put him among the aces.

Go Shark!

 

[ab2cmiller]

Turned down a 5 year extension during the off-season.

Signed a 1 year contract for 2.64 million

Reported to spring training weeks before his teammates. Is in terrific shape and looking great on the mound.

Fantasy Consensus Rank #32 Starting Pitcher
Jeff Samardzija News, Projections, Rankings - Fantasy Baseball 2013

Obviously Shark is confident that he can at least replicate if not improve on last year and cash in with a much more lucrative contract offer. He's been working hard with some calling him the most improved pitcher in the majors. I wouldn't bet against him.

Cubs' Jeff Samardzija feels he's not yet worthy of long-term contract | cubs.com: News

Jeff Samardzija poised for another rise - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Samardzija is a BAMF and frankly just doesn't care what people think about him which is what I love about him. He wants to be a lifelong Cub and I think he will prove his value this year.

 

[zbikowski88]

Jeff Samardzija has been named the Cubs' Opening Day starter.

It had been looking that way and become official after the club ruled Matt Garza (lat strain) out for the first month of the season. Samardzija had a breakthrough season in 2012, posting a 3.81 ERA and 180/56 K/BB ratio over 174 2/3 innings.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

That's great! Go get 'em Shark!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

As a Cardinals fan, I just wish he was on any other team. With that said, I hope to see him kick butt for the cubs.

 

[JT_IRISH]

Nice

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The @<a href="https://twitter.com/cubs">cubs</a>' Jeff Samardzija will be the 1st @<a href="https://twitter.com/ndbaseball">ndbaseball</a> alum to start (P) on Opening Day since Brooklyn's Ed Reulbach in 1914 @<a href="https://twitter.com/mlb">mlb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Domeball">#Domeball</a></p>— Dan Cichalski (@NJ_baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NJ_baseball/status/308615423946022913">March 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irishnuke]

Dude just jacked a homer to left.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Dude just jacked a homer to left.

I am here, it was awesome!