The Giants signed Scott Kazmir LHP to a minor league contract which will pay $600 K if he makes the MLB team. There are not opt-outs. While Scott Kazmir is almost a household name among serious baseball fans, he last pitched in the major leagues or anywhere that records baseball stats in 2016. Now, FZ. has always been partial to his guys, but it still raises some eyebrows that the Giants are the third team Kazmir has signed a contract with that included FZ in a front office role.
Kazmir was once a #15 overall draft pick way back in 2002 by the Mets. He made his MBL debut with the Rays after one of the Mets disastrous trades. He's always been close to an obsession for sabermetric enthusiasts, probably because he's undersized and never been a super hard thrower but yet put up strong K rates.
When he last pitched, Kazmir brought 6 pitches to the table, 4-seam FB(91 MPH), 2-seam FB, cutter, slider, curve and changeup. While he showed flashes of brilliance in the past, his career has been largely defined missed time from injuries and pretty average performances when he does pitch. He reportedly hit 92-93 MPH on radar guns in a showcase earlier in the offseason and Farhan wants to give him another chance at age 37.
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This year's version of Randy Elliott seems to be a pitcher, Sam Long LHP, who is impressing the coaches with a 93 MPH FB. He will almost certainly start the season in the minors. Oh, and he's a lifelong Giants fan who played college ball at Sacramento State.
Remember, once upon a time, when this team used to develop their own starting pitchers? Names like Cain, Lincecum, Sanchez, and Bumgarner? Even one season wonders like Chris Heston and Ryan Sadowsky? Now? Gausman, Smyly, and this guy. How far we have fallen since 2016. SMH.
ReplyDeleteMore than one way for farm system to help. Personally,I am quite excited about Bart, Luciano, Ramos, Matos, Bishop and Bailey.
DeleteI'm interested to see how Sean Hjellie and Tristin Beck pitch this year. Both pitchers were drafted out of college so outside chance of both making their MLB debuts towards the end of the season. A 6'11" pitcher like Hjellie would be interesting to see. Beck was acquired in the Melancon trade. Scouts were very impressed with pitcher Gregory Santos in instructional league. He was part of the Edwin Nunez trade.
DeleteFormer Giant minor leaguer 27-yo Keury Mella just DFAd by AZ.
ReplyDeleteHe K'd 10 in 10 innings last year for the D'backs.
He started 60 (+/-) games for the Giants in the minors (16 in SJ) before being traded for Mike Leake in 2015 (with Adam Duval).
Is that too deep to dig?