Once upon a time Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Scott Kazmir was a highly touted prospect in the New York Mets organization. The Mets used the 15th overall pick of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft on Kazmir as he appeared to be a building block for the future. In 2004, The Mets traded Kazmir to the Tampa Bay Rays in a deal that saw the Mets receive starting pitcher Victor Zambrano. Zambrano never panned out for the Mets while Kazmir would become a two-time American League All-Star for the Rays. Injuries derailed Kazmir’s career with the Rays and subsequently the Los Angeles Angels. By 2012, Kazmir was out of Major League Baseball as he found himself pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League. Last December, the Indians came calling with a spring training invitation for Kazmir and he has made the most of his opportunity.
Kazmir earned a spot on the Indians roster and he has progressed as the season has grown. Kazmir made his first start the season on April 20 against the Houston Astros. Kazmir only went 3.1 innings against his hometown team as he surrendered six earned runs, but Cleveland was able to prevail 19-6. In his next start on April 27 versus the Kansas City Royals, Kazmir was able to go six innings while only giving up one run while striking out 10 batters. May 30th saw Kazmir deliver 7 innings of one-run baseball in a 7-1 Indians victory over the Chicago White Sox.
In Kazmir’s last eight starts he has gone at least five innings in each outing which was highlighted by an 8-inning, one run, seven strikeout performance against the Seattle Mariners.
Kazmir’s record on the season in 6-4 with a 4.11 earned run average. The stats may not jump off of the screen, but he is providing much needed depth to an Indians starting rotation that has dreams of helping this franchise make the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Entering play today the Indians are only 2.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL Central while they are currently the owners of the final wild card slot in the American League.
Kazmir’s production at the end of the rotation has given Indians general manger Chris Antonetti one less thing to worry about as he is building a contender. Kazmir’s signing was in the low-risk, high-reward category and Antonetti is looking extremely smart for the move.
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