Scott Kazmir
Encyclopedia
Scott Edward Kazmir is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. Kazmir made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
in 2004 when he was only 20 years old and at one time held many of the franchise's career pitching records. He is still among the team's all-time leaders in strikeouts, earned run average
, wins
, and games started
.
Nagging injuries and problems with mechanics beginning in the 2008 season gradually reduced his effectiveness. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
in August 2009 and performed well for a time. However, his performance deteriorated during the 2010 season and beyond, eventually leading to his release in June 2011.
, Kazmir was a two-sport athlete, pitching on the baseball team and starting at quarterback
on the football
team. During one stretch on the prep baseball diamond, Kazmir threw four straight no-hitter
s. As a senior, he struck out 172 batters in 75 innings and had an ERA of 0.37
Kazmir was highly recruited in both sports and verbally committed to the home state Texas Longhorns. However, Kazmir was drafted in the first round (15th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft
by the New York Mets
and signed on to play professional baseball. Along with teammate Clint Everts (who was selected 5th overall by the Montreal Expos
), he became half of the first pair of high school pitchers from the same team drafted in the first round.
. While playing for their Double-A team, the Binghamton Mets
, he was infamously traded along with minor league pitcher Joselo Díaz
to the Devil Rays on July 30, 2004 for Víctor Zambrano
and Bartolomé Fortunato
. This trade was big news, and continues to be widely criticized by the New York media and fan base given Kazmir's subsequent success. There is also speculation that the move may have led to the demotion of then-General Manager Jim Duquette
within the organization.
He started 2004 with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
, and after his trade to the Tampa Bay Rays, he received only a few starts at Double-A Montgomery
. However, he was essentially expected to anchor a young Rays pitching staff from the time he arrived in Tampa Bay. Kazmir made his major-league debut on August 23, 2004, pitching five shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners
.
He had a 2–3 record and an ERA
of 5.67 in 8 appearances (7 starts) in 2004, but he was clearly making strides in his development; he struck out 11.07 batters per nine innings. On September 9, Kazmir made his only relief appearance with the Rays, allowing one run in three innings against the Yankees.
. At 22 years, 2 months and 10 days Kazmir was the youngest opening day starter since Dwight Gooden
with the Mets
in 1986. He lost the decision after 6 ER in 4 IP, but was subsequently extremely impressive with an overall 10–8 record with 163 strikeouts and a 3.24 ERA in 144.2 innings pitched. Kazmir has won decisions against Cy Young winner Roy Halladay
, two-time 20 game winner Jamie Moyer
, two-time All Star and 20 game winner Dontrelle Willis
, 2001 World Series MVP and 3-time 20 game winner Curt Schilling
, 2003 World Series MVP Josh Beckett
and Tim Wakefield
, who is 14–2 lifetime against the Rays.
On June 22, 2006 Scott Kazmir passed Sandy Koufax
and put himself in the 22nd spot in MLB history for most strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher before his 23rd birthday. He also picked up his team leading ninth victory in the process.
On July 2, 2006, Kazmir was elected by the players to appear in the 2006 MLB All-Star Game
, his first all-star appearance. The next day, he threw his first (and thus far only) complete game shutout, blanking the Boston Red Sox
in Tropicana Field
on 2 hits while striking out 10.
In the All-Star Game, Kazmir threw a perfect sixth inning, retiring Freddy Sanchez, Carlos Beltran, and Albert Pujols.
On August 22, 2006, Kazmir struck out eight Texas Rangers
, becoming the all-time Rays strikeout leader.
He had a 3.48 ERA and a 13-8 record on a team that lost 96 games, pitching a career high 206.2 innings. He was one of the MLB's most unhittable pitchers, with hitters only making contact 74.5% of the time, the fourth best in the league. In their year-end review, Baseball Prospectus
proclaimed, "Health permitting, he`s one of the best pitchers in the AL."
It was also during this time that Tampa fans began crowning Kazmir with the nickname "Pizza Man" which was a reference to a longstanding promotion at Tropicana Field where if the Rays pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts during a game, attendees of the game could trade in their ticket stub for a free pizza at participating Papa John's restaurants. The inference was that when Kazmir was pitching, there was a much higher chance of a free pizza for fans.
in Fenway Park
.
After a "rocky" season debut, Kazmir had perhaps the best month of his career in May. He set a team record for wins in a month, going 5-1 with a 1.22 ERA and not allowed more than 1 run or 4 hits in a game after his first start. For his efforts, he was named the AL pitcher of the month, the first Rays player to win the honor.
Kazmir was named to the American League squad for the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. Though the Rays' management preferred that Kazmir rest his arm and not pitch in the mid-summer classic if at all possible, the game ended up being the longest ever and Kazmir stepped to the mound in the 15th inning. He threw a scoreless frame and the AL all-stars scored the winning run in the bottom of the 15th, making Kazmir the winning pitcher.
Kazmir was less effective over the second half of the season, posting a 5-3 record and 4.02 ERA as the Rays won their first American League East
championship. In the postseason, Kazmir made 5 starts and went 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA as the Rays won their first AL pennant. But in what was a continuing trend, he could never work very deep into a ballgame, averaging just 5 innings while throwing over 100 pitches per start in the playoffs.
Kazmir averaged 4.28 pitches per plate appearance on the season, the highest rate in the majors. "He's an ace as far as his numbers go," Baseball Prospectus
wrote, "But he doesn't do many of the other things one expects from an ace. He regularly misses time here and there (in 2008 it was an early-season elbow strain), he's so inefficient that he often hits 100 pitches before he's made it to the fifth inning, and he can become a scheduled strain on the bullpen. Don't get us wrong, he's great, and clearly worth the nearly $40 million he'll receive over the next four years, but he's far from deserving of the "ace" designation."
During the season, the Rays and Kazmir agreed on a four-year contract extension which guaranteed the lefty $28.5 million and had a maximum value of approximately $39.5 million if the team picked up his option for the 2012 season.
with elbow issues and was activated on April 8. He accrued a 4–4 record with an ERA of 7.69 before going on the disabled list again on May 23 to rest a leg strain and to work on problems with his pitching mechanics. He returned on June 27 and went on to have a record of 8–7 with an ERA of 5.92 and 91 strikeouts as of August 28, 2009.
On August 28, 2009, Kazmir was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
for two minor league players and second baseman Sean Rodriguez
.
On his Angels debut, against the Seattle Mariners
, he received the loss, going 6 innings, giving up one earned run
and striking out eight. At one point he retired 16 batters in a row.
Scott Kazmir made his home debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
on September 8, 2009 against the Seattle Mariners, pitching seven innings giving up only one run in a no-decision. Kazmir continued to pitch well for his new team during the remaining month of the regular season, posting a 2-2 record with a 1.73 ERA. However, he fared less well in the postseason, going 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA in two starts and one appearance in relief.
In Spring Training 2010, Kazmir noted that he was not in best shape in the 2009 season. "I'd get nine or 10 pitches into an inning, and I didn't have the explosiveness I wanted," Kazmir said. "I was falling off pitches and stuff like that. At one point, you kind of wonder."
said, "He'll be in the right arm slot more often instead of dropping down to compensate or flying open," Scioscia said. "It's all connected. With a more consistent delivery, he'll minimize risk to his arm, because it's not doing more work than it has to.".
Despite this winter regimen, Kazmir began the season on the disabled list with hamstring and shoulder issues. He made his first start on April 15, a loss to the Yankees. His struggles continued throughout the first half of the season, as he posted the worst ERA among starters in the AL (6.92) along with a 7-9 record. Quoted in the Los Angeles Times in July, Kazmir said "It kind of feels like I'm thinking too much about where I'm throwing the ball and things start snowballing, and the next thing you know you don't really know what's going on."
On July 18, he was placed on the disabled list with left shoulder fatigue
Kazmir returned in August to mixed results. He finished the season with a 9-15 record in 28 starts, and his 5.94 ERA was the highest in MLB among pitchers who worked 140 or more innings
After working on his mechanics for a month, Kazmir was sent to the Salt Lake Bees
, the Angels' Triple-A affiliate, for a series of rehabilitation starts as he tried to work his way back to the major leagues, possibly as a relief pitcher. However, his struggles only grew worse in the minors. Kazmir had a 17.02 ERA in 5 starts, walking 20 and striking out 14 in 15+ innings. He was released by the Angels on June 15 despite having $14.5 million remaining on his guaranteed contract.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent. Kazmir made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in 2004 when he was only 20 years old and at one time held many of the franchise's career pitching records. He is still among the team's all-time leaders in strikeouts, earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
, and games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
.
Nagging injuries and problems with mechanics beginning in the 2008 season gradually reduced his effectiveness. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in August 2009 and performed well for a time. However, his performance deteriorated during the 2010 season and beyond, eventually leading to his release in June 2011.
High school
At Cypress Falls High SchoolCypress Falls High School
Cypress Falls is a secondary school in an unincorporated area of Harris County, Texas, United States. It opened in 1992. The current principal is Ms. Becky Denton. Cypress Falls is part of the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, which started during the late 19th century with a school...
, Kazmir was a two-sport athlete, pitching on the baseball team and starting at quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
on the football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team. During one stretch on the prep baseball diamond, Kazmir threw four straight no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
s. As a senior, he struck out 172 batters in 75 innings and had an ERA of 0.37
Kazmir was highly recruited in both sports and verbally committed to the home state Texas Longhorns. However, Kazmir was drafted in the first round (15th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and signed on to play professional baseball. Along with teammate Clint Everts (who was selected 5th overall by the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
), he became half of the first pair of high school pitchers from the same team drafted in the first round.
Professional career
In , he was considered the top pitching prospect for the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. While playing for their Double-A team, the Binghamton Mets
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
, he was infamously traded along with minor league pitcher Joselo Díaz
Joselo Díaz
Joselo Soriano Díaz is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the independent Long Island Ducks....
to the Devil Rays on July 30, 2004 for Víctor Zambrano
Víctor Zambrano
Víctor Manuel Zambrano is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.-Major League Career :...
and Bartolomé Fortunato
Bartolomé Fortunato
Bartolomé Araujo Fortunato is a Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Edmonton Capitals of the North American League....
. This trade was big news, and continues to be widely criticized by the New York media and fan base given Kazmir's subsequent success. There is also speculation that the move may have led to the demotion of then-General Manager Jim Duquette
Jim Duquette
James "Jim" Duquette was the general manager of the New York Mets for the 2004 season, before the team replaced him with Omar Minaya. Duquette subsequently stayed with the Mets in a front office job for a full season before moving on to the Baltimore Orioles...
within the organization.
He started 2004 with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
, and after his trade to the Tampa Bay Rays, he received only a few starts at Double-A Montgomery
Montgomery Biscuits
The Montgomery Biscuits are a minor league baseball team based in Montgomery, Alabama. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and plays in the Southern League. The 2004 season was the team's first in Montgomery...
. However, he was essentially expected to anchor a young Rays pitching staff from the time he arrived in Tampa Bay. Kazmir made his major-league debut on August 23, 2004, pitching five shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
He had a 2–3 record and an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 5.67 in 8 appearances (7 starts) in 2004, but he was clearly making strides in his development; he struck out 11.07 batters per nine innings. On September 9, Kazmir made his only relief appearance with the Rays, allowing one run in three innings against the Yankees.
2006 season
Kazmir started the season opener April 3 at BaltimoreBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. At 22 years, 2 months and 10 days Kazmir was the youngest opening day starter since Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
with the Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in 1986. He lost the decision after 6 ER in 4 IP, but was subsequently extremely impressive with an overall 10–8 record with 163 strikeouts and a 3.24 ERA in 144.2 innings pitched. Kazmir has won decisions against Cy Young winner Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, two-time 20 game winner Jamie Moyer
Jamie Moyer
Jamie Moyer is an American professional left handed baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. At the time of his last game to date , he was the oldest player in the major leagues and had the most wins, losses, and strikeouts of any active Major League pitcher...
, two-time All Star and 20 game winner Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
, 2001 World Series MVP and 3-time 20 game winner Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
, 2003 World Series MVP Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
and Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
, who is 14–2 lifetime against the Rays.
On June 22, 2006 Scott Kazmir passed Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
and put himself in the 22nd spot in MLB history for most strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher before his 23rd birthday. He also picked up his team leading ninth victory in the process.
On July 2, 2006, Kazmir was elected by the players to appear in the 2006 MLB All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, his first all-star appearance. The next day, he threw his first (and thus far only) complete game shutout, blanking the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
on 2 hits while striking out 10.
In the All-Star Game, Kazmir threw a perfect sixth inning, retiring Freddy Sanchez, Carlos Beltran, and Albert Pujols.
On August 22, 2006, Kazmir struck out eight Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, becoming the all-time Rays strikeout leader.
2007 season
The 2007 is generally considered to be Kazmir's bestHe had a 3.48 ERA and a 13-8 record on a team that lost 96 games, pitching a career high 206.2 innings. He was one of the MLB's most unhittable pitchers, with hitters only making contact 74.5% of the time, the fourth best in the league. In their year-end review, Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus is an organization that publishes a website, BaseballProspectus.com, devoted to the sabermetric analysis of baseball. BP has a staff of regular columnists and provides advanced statistics as well player and team performance projections on the site...
proclaimed, "Health permitting, he`s one of the best pitchers in the AL."
It was also during this time that Tampa fans began crowning Kazmir with the nickname "Pizza Man" which was a reference to a longstanding promotion at Tropicana Field where if the Rays pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts during a game, attendees of the game could trade in their ticket stub for a free pizza at participating Papa John's restaurants. The inference was that when Kazmir was pitching, there was a much higher chance of a free pizza for fans.
2008 season
Kazmir strained his elbow at the beginning of Spring Training in . While the injury was not considered serious at the time, the Rays were cautious with their star pitcher. His recovery and belated season preparation delayed his first start until May 4, when he faced the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
.
After a "rocky" season debut, Kazmir had perhaps the best month of his career in May. He set a team record for wins in a month, going 5-1 with a 1.22 ERA and not allowed more than 1 run or 4 hits in a game after his first start. For his efforts, he was named the AL pitcher of the month, the first Rays player to win the honor.
Kazmir was named to the American League squad for the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. Though the Rays' management preferred that Kazmir rest his arm and not pitch in the mid-summer classic if at all possible, the game ended up being the longest ever and Kazmir stepped to the mound in the 15th inning. He threw a scoreless frame and the AL all-stars scored the winning run in the bottom of the 15th, making Kazmir the winning pitcher.
Kazmir was less effective over the second half of the season, posting a 5-3 record and 4.02 ERA as the Rays won their first American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
championship. In the postseason, Kazmir made 5 starts and went 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA as the Rays won their first AL pennant. But in what was a continuing trend, he could never work very deep into a ballgame, averaging just 5 innings while throwing over 100 pitches per start in the playoffs.
Kazmir averaged 4.28 pitches per plate appearance on the season, the highest rate in the majors. "He's an ace as far as his numbers go," Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus is an organization that publishes a website, BaseballProspectus.com, devoted to the sabermetric analysis of baseball. BP has a staff of regular columnists and provides advanced statistics as well player and team performance projections on the site...
wrote, "But he doesn't do many of the other things one expects from an ace. He regularly misses time here and there (in 2008 it was an early-season elbow strain), he's so inefficient that he often hits 100 pitches before he's made it to the fifth inning, and he can become a scheduled strain on the bullpen. Don't get us wrong, he's great, and clearly worth the nearly $40 million he'll receive over the next four years, but he's far from deserving of the "ace" designation."
During the season, the Rays and Kazmir agreed on a four-year contract extension which guaranteed the lefty $28.5 million and had a maximum value of approximately $39.5 million if the team picked up his option for the 2012 season.
2009 season
Kazmir again started the season on the disabled listDisabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
with elbow issues and was activated on April 8. He accrued a 4–4 record with an ERA of 7.69 before going on the disabled list again on May 23 to rest a leg strain and to work on problems with his pitching mechanics. He returned on June 27 and went on to have a record of 8–7 with an ERA of 5.92 and 91 strikeouts as of August 28, 2009.
On August 28, 2009, Kazmir was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for two minor league players and second baseman Sean Rodriguez
Sean Rodriguez
Sean John Rodriguez is a Cuban American Major League Baseball short stop for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school career:...
.
On his Angels debut, against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, he received the loss, going 6 innings, giving up one earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
and striking out eight. At one point he retired 16 batters in a row.
Scott Kazmir made his home debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on September 8, 2009 against the Seattle Mariners, pitching seven innings giving up only one run in a no-decision. Kazmir continued to pitch well for his new team during the remaining month of the regular season, posting a 2-2 record with a 1.73 ERA. However, he fared less well in the postseason, going 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA in two starts and one appearance in relief.
In Spring Training 2010, Kazmir noted that he was not in best shape in the 2009 season. "I'd get nine or 10 pitches into an inning, and I didn't have the explosiveness I wanted," Kazmir said. "I was falling off pitches and stuff like that. At one point, you kind of wonder."
2010 season
In the offseason, Kazmir focused on strength and flexibility training to reduce strain on his arm. Manager Mike SciosciaMike Scioscia
Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....
said, "He'll be in the right arm slot more often instead of dropping down to compensate or flying open," Scioscia said. "It's all connected. With a more consistent delivery, he'll minimize risk to his arm, because it's not doing more work than it has to.".
Despite this winter regimen, Kazmir began the season on the disabled list with hamstring and shoulder issues. He made his first start on April 15, a loss to the Yankees. His struggles continued throughout the first half of the season, as he posted the worst ERA among starters in the AL (6.92) along with a 7-9 record. Quoted in the Los Angeles Times in July, Kazmir said "It kind of feels like I'm thinking too much about where I'm throwing the ball and things start snowballing, and the next thing you know you don't really know what's going on."
On July 18, he was placed on the disabled list with left shoulder fatigue
Kazmir returned in August to mixed results. He finished the season with a 9-15 record in 28 starts, and his 5.94 ERA was the highest in MLB among pitchers who worked 140 or more innings
2011 season
Kazmir struggled again in spring training, giving up 19 runs in 23+ innings, and was touched for 5 runs in 2+ innings in his first regular season start. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said that Kazmir's struggles were "baffling" and that, despite a rigorous off-season training regimen, the former all-star pitcher had neither velocity nor command. Kazmir was placed on the DL and sent to extended spring training to "sort things out".After working on his mechanics for a month, Kazmir was sent to the Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
, the Angels' Triple-A affiliate, for a series of rehabilitation starts as he tried to work his way back to the major leagues, possibly as a relief pitcher. However, his struggles only grew worse in the minors. Kazmir had a 17.02 ERA in 5 starts, walking 20 and striking out 14 in 15+ innings. He was released by the Angels on June 15 despite having $14.5 million remaining on his guaranteed contract.
Scouting report
Kazmir throws a four-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup, which could all be thrown for strikes. Kazmir's best pitch was at one time his fastball, which had good movement and would clock in the mid-high 90's with excellent command. Repeated arm injuries and mechanical adjustments saw his velocity drop until it topped out in the 80s His second best pitch was his slider, which clocks in around 83 mph and is thrown to left-handers; however, that pitch has little vertical or horizontal action. The slider is usually thrown effectively because it's always thrown to the outer edge and then the pitch usually dives down once it gets to the corner of the zone. Lastly, he also throws a changeup to right-handers. This is considered his weakest pitch and usually clocks in the high 70s.Awards and accomplishments
- Major League Baseball All-StarMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(2008) - 2007 American League Strikeout leader
- Major League Baseball All-StarMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(2006) - First Career Complete Game on July 3, 2006
- First Career Shutout on July 3, 2006
- Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
High School Player of the Year, 2002 - Set a single-season record for strikeoutStrikeoutIn baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s by high school pitchers in Texas with 175 for Cypress Falls High SchoolCypress Falls High SchoolCypress Falls is a secondary school in an unincorporated area of Harris County, Texas, United States. It opened in 1992. The current principal is Ms. Becky Denton. Cypress Falls is part of the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, which started during the late 19th century with a school...
(breaking the previous record of 172, set by Josh BeckettJosh BeckettJoshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
) - Member of the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Junior OlympicAAU Junior Olympic GamesThe AAU Junior Olympic Games are the pinnacle competition held annually by the US Amateur Athletic Union.-Sports currently held:The following is a list of sports that currently take place at the Junior Olympic Games.* Aquatics - Diving and Swimming...
baseball team in 2001; they won the silver medal - Named American League Player of the Week on May 22, 2006, after posting a 2-0 record and an 0.60 ERA for the week
- In high school, he had four consecutive no-hitters. While going for his fifth consecutive no-hitter he gave up a hit with two out in the seventh inning. After this, he finished the game, and subsequently pitched two more consecutive no-hitters.