To say 23 year-old Scott Kazmir is the ace of this staff is a bit of an understatement. While the Rays appear to have finally accrued a solid pitching foundation down on the farm, Kazmir and Kazmir only has proved his worth in the Majors.
When he was shut down for the season last August with a sore shoulder, it went without saying that his full recovery was as important as anything else going on in the organization.
Five months after his last start, it now looks that his imperative return to form is right on schedule.
When asked if his shoulder’s still a problem, he responded, “Not at all. I don’t even see that as a question. I feel great.”
“I’m probably the strongest I’ve ever felt in January. It’s the first time I’ve ever thrown this much before spring training. It’s a good thing to know I’ll have all this under my belt. I’ll be a little more prepared.”
In his 24 starts in 2006, he went 10-8 with an ERA of 3.24 while striking out 163 over 144.2 innings (10.14 K/9). He not only solidified his prowess on the mound, but he laid to rest any remaining doubts as to who would be on the mound when opening day of 2007 arrives.
When April 2nd finally does decide to come around, the ace the Rays will have on the mound will be the mighty envy of about 27 other teams.
January 28th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I really thought the Rays would make a trade this offseason to bring in a legitimate #2 pitcher to make this team compete this year. With all the prospects to trade now, this is the prime time to do it. If Upton and Dukes don’t end up panning out, their value plummets, and we won’t get what we could have. You can’t tell me they couldn’t have traded Cantu, Upton, and Dukes for a #1a/2 pitcher and a true second baseman. This team is not as far off as most people think it is. Picking up a #2 pitcher would allow guys like Shields and Seo be able to pitch in their more natural slots in a rotation. Shields is more of a #3 and Seo is a pretty good #5, but not much more. I think the Rays were too busy trying not to mess up, when they really could have afforded to take a chance. Instead, it looked like they were trying to make the perfect trade, when they should have accepted something that could really help this team contend right away. If they had offered the Angels Upton, Cantu, and Dukes, they could have gotten Ervin Santana and probably someone like Erick Aybar or Chone Figgins. I think the Rays might have blown the chance to do something great this offseason.
January 28th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
http://photo-section.hanmai…
(first bullpen session PHOTO)
January 28th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Awesome pic. This winter has been extremely dissapointing, to say the least. As good as our position players may be this year, we are basically at square one on the mound.
January 29th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Kazmir is awesome.