Time For Samardzija To Step Up
This is one of the biggest spring trainings of Jeff Samardzija's young career, but you couldn't tell by talking to him.
Samardzija is in the final year of a five-year contract he signed with the Chicago Cubs out of Notre Dame, where he made his name as a wide receiver before choosing baseball over football. He's out of minor-league options, so Samardzija has to make the Cubs' 25-man roster or clear waivers before he can be sent to the minors.
"I put the same pressure on myself every year to come out and perform," Samardzija said. "If anything I'm more excited about this year after what's happened the last couple of years and how I feel, the things you learn from going up and down and highs and lows of a season."
Now 26, the right-hander has been back and forth between Triple-A Iowa and the Cubs in each of the past three seasons. He's been used as both a starter and reliever in the majors and minors, but has yet to return to the form of 2008, when he made 26 major league appearances out of the bullpen and had a 2.28 ERA.
Samardzija's ERA climbed to 7.53 in 2009 and 8.58 in 2010, and he's only appeared in 27 games over those two seasons. Last year, he struck out nine in seven games but issued 19 unintentional walks.
"He's out of options but he's working hard," Cubs pitching coach Mark Riggins said.
The 6-foot-5 Samardzija still throws a fastball around 95 mph. Something got lost after 2008, however, and Samardzija hopes to find it again by staying relaxed and relying more on his athleticism.
He also wants to be able to throw three or four pitches for strikes - and have fun.
"I just want to clean the slate, take some things from here and there that I've learned from different coaches and different situations and really form it and mold it into me," he said.
Samardzija has no preference between being a starter or reliever.
"His heart and desire is off the charts right now to be on this club and produce," Riggins said. "He's had enough time to develop and now the ball's in his court to produce, and I think he will."
Samardzija spent a month at home in Indiana after the 2010 season, then got to Arizona before Thanksgiving to start working out and get some extra time on the mound before spring training.
The way he sees it, having been brought up and sent down so often has made him stronger mentally.
"Everything I've been through and I'm still here, feeling how I feel it's just kind of carried me into this season and put a little fire in me to get ready to go for this year," Samardzija said. "I've come to the conclusion where what I've learned over the last couple of years is all you can do is come into camp ready to go."
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