What do you guys think of Samardzija?

[ThisYear]

I got to see him play at Notre Dame, both baseball and football, this year and he is a great athlete. He's got some great speed, but needs to develop his off-speed pitches. I think he'll be in Cubbie blue in no time.

[HOLYCOW!25]

I do hope he makes it to the Major's soon, because I think 10 million is ridiculous for a minor leaguer.

[diehardnorthsider]

I'm optimistic. I hope he can crack the majors within a short period of time.

[dundeecub]

I reckon he'll spend most of his time in Tenn this season, maybe a callup to Iowa late on. We're pretty deep at SP at ML and AAA so I think he'll get his time to develop, which can only be a good thing. Has to be remembered that he would have gone MUCH higher in the draft if other teams hadnt figured on him playing football instead, maybe the best pitcher we've drafted since Prior?

Having said he ought to be in Tenn, anything could happen (ie, trading away Marshall, Guzman, Mateo if we have a bad spell of injuries) so maybe Iowa.

[scuba]

I hope he makes it to the big league club soon too. I don't see it happening this year or even next year, but I think he will do fine. I really like his attitude and desire to play for the Cubs.

[WrigleyFielder]

I also got to see a lot of him and I expect good things. Holla at Granger by the way, beautiful town

[ThisYear]

I also got to see a lot of him and I expect good things. Holla at Granger by the way, beautiful town


:) Thank you! I like Granger. Sometimes it's a little too "high end" for me, but it's a great place to raise kids! I think Samardzija is going to have plenty of time to develop as well. Cubs have a lot of good pitching talent in the farm. :)

[Brutus T Manstrength]

One word: Stud.

[VanMan]

:) Thank you! I like Granger. Sometimes it's a little too "high end" for me, but it's a great place to raise kids! I think Samardzija is going to have plenty of time to develop as well. Cubs have a lot of good pitching talent in the farm. :)
Well, you can't have too much pitching.

[ChinMusic22]

He's got some promise, but no point in rushing him. I can see him getting a crack in 2009...

Baseball America compares him to John Smoltz. They rank him our #4 prospect behind Pie, Veal, & Colvin.

[elven_scout]

Other than the fact that we probably overpayed him, I'm looking forward to seeing him pitch. If he's as good as he is supposed to be, it was a good deal. I thought the hair-cutting thing was funny, though. (not that that has anything to do with his pitching, I would imagine)

-Scout

[Webgem]

To early to tell on him just yet.IMO.

[Doba]

I saw him throw today at practice. Looked really good and he throws hard as hell.

[Waveland007]

Being a life long Cub and Irish fan it was double sweet when we signed him, I think he can be a #2 caliber starter if he can harness his talent.

[elven_scout]

I sure hope so. By the way, Doba, what did you think of the others who threw today. Prior and Zambrano did, right?

-Scout

[Brutus T Manstrength]

Waveland.. why do you think just a #2 starter?

[ARamfan]

I do hope he makes it to the Major's soon, because I think 10 million is ridiculous for a minor leaguer.

It is absolutely ridiculous for a minor leaguer! :eek:

[CUBScrazy22]

I heard Lou wanted him to get a haircut, but it doesn't bother me. :)

[elven_scout]

I heard Lou wanted him to get a haircut, but it doesn't bother me. :)


Doesn't bother me either. I just thought it was amusing. Maybe it's an indication that Pinella will be a bit more of a disciplinarian than Dusty ever was.

-Scout

[TRIPLE PLAY]

Takes time,kinda raw (not a bad thing) talent is there. as my dad & pinella would prolly say.......Get A Haircut My Son! that might add 2mph to fastball!looking 4 him in '08

[DLee25]

I don't like teams that make guys shave and get haircuts. I think its dumb. Yeah you pay them good money, but let them look like they want. Long hair really isn't all that bad. Or beards.

[elven_scout]

I don't think it's a good idea either, unless it was affecting their play in the field in some way. I just thought it was funny...sorry.

-Scout

[DLee25]

He has been really impressive. One walk in all that he has pitched. He has very good velocity and location on his fastball, and a pretty good slider. He is really impressing me.

[BigZ38]

He has a solid fastball and sinker. Not a bad slider either. He's on that "fast track" as they say. I think he should start in AA. He looked good today against the G-men.

[ryno4ever]

I like the fact he stays composed on the field -even when he gets into trouble.

[CubsFan23]

I heard him on Baseball this Morning on XM a couple of weeks ago. He sounds like a very good young man. PLus he said he was going to cut his hair anyway, that Lou said it to him more as a joke!

[BigZ38]

I like the fact he stays composed on the field -even when he gets into trouble.

Some of that probably comes from already playing in front of huge crowds at Notre Dame. He's got a pretty bright future here. Glad he chose baseball.

[Webgem]

He's starting the season in A Daytona. I don't think he'll be there that long.

I could possibly see him in the rotation in 2009.

[CubsFan23]

I hope to see him on the big league roster in the next couple years. But not too soon, I do not want him rushed ala Corey Patterson.