Scott Kazmir

Scott Kazmir
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – No. 22
Starting Pitcher
Bats: Left Throws: Left
debut
August 23, 2004, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Career statistics (through 2009)
Win-Loss	57–46
Earned Run Average	3.83
Strikeouts	900
Teams
Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays (2004–2009) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2009–present)
Career highlights and awards
2x All-Star selection (2006, 2008) 2007 American League Strikeout Champion (239)

Scott Edward Kazmir (born January 24, 1984) is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Kazmir is the Tampa Bay Rays' all-time earned-run average leader at 3.61.

High school

At Cypress Falls High School, Kazmir threw four straight no-hitters as a junior. He was highly recruited after striking out 172 batters in 75 innings as a senior at Cypress Falls High School, and had verbally committed to the University of Texas. However, Kazmir was drafted in the first round (15th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft by the New York Mets. 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.

Professional career

In 2004, he was considered the top pitching prospect for the New York Mets. 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 Devil 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 the only relief appearance of his career, allowing one run in three innings against the Yankees.

2006 season

Kazmir started the 2006 season opener April 3 at Baltimore. 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 3 Kazmir threw his first career complete game shutout against the Boston Red Sox while striking out ten and giving up only two hits.

On July 2, 2006, Kazmir was elected by the players to appear in the 2006 MLB All-Star Game, his first all-star appearance. According to reports, he was flown to Pittsburgh for the game by fellow All-Star Alex Rodriguez, whose New York Yankees played at Tampa Bay in the series right before the game, in A-Rod's private jet. 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.

2008 season

Kazmir strained his elbow at the beginning of Spring Training in 2008. The injury was not serious, but his recovery and belated season preparation delayed his season debut until May 4, when he faced the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park.

On May 14, the Rays and Kazmir agreed on a four-year contract extension which guaranteed the lefty $28.5 million and has a maximum value of approximately $39.5 million if the team picks up his option for the 2012 season.

On May 30, he set a team record for wins in a month, with 5, as the Rays shutout the White Sox 2–0. On July 6, it was announced that Kazmir was selected to be on the American League squad for the 2008 MLB All-Star Game.

On the morning of July 16, Kazmir earned the win for the American League in the 2008 All-Star Game. For the season, he averaged 4.28 pitches per plate appearance, the highest rate in the majors.

2009 season

Kazmir started the 2009 season on the disabled list before being 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. 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 1/3 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. He went 7.0 innings giving up only one run in a no-decision.

Scouting report

Kazmir throws a four-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup, which can all be thrown for strikes. His best pitch is his fastball that he throws between 93 and 95 mph, topping out at 97 mph. In addition to the location, the pitch possesses great natural life and has a tailing action to it. His second best pitch is 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-Star (2008)
• 2007 American League Strikeout leader
• Major League Baseball All-Star (2006)
• First Career Complete Game on July 3, 2006
• First Career Shutout on July 3, 2006
• Baseball America High School Player of the Year, 2002
• Set a single-season record for strikeouts by high school pitchers in Texas with 175 for Cypress Falls High School (breaking the previous record of 172, set by Josh Beckett)
• Member of the United States Junior Olympic 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.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
• Draft news

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Dewon Brazelton	Tampa Bay Devil Rays Opening Day Starting pitcher 2006, 2007	Succeeded by James Shields
Preceded by Cliff Lee	American League Pitcher of the month May 2008	Succeeded by John Lackey
Preceded by Johan Santana	American League Strikeout Champion 2007	Succeeded by A. J. Burnett