View Full Version : Cubs' Samardzija commits to baseball
DodgerBlue8188
01-20-2007, 01:08 AM
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070119&content_id=1782406&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
I don't watch college football much so I had never heard of this guy until now but looks like he was one of the best college WR's. Must be nice to have a tough choice on whether to play in the NFL or MLB.
Chris from NY
01-20-2007, 01:26 AM
Must be nice to have a tough choice on whether to play in the NFL or MLB.
Lucky guy gets a choice. I wish I had a choice of which professional sport I wanted to play in.
-Kyle-
01-20-2007, 06:16 AM
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070119&content_id=1782406&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
I don't watch college football much so I had never heard of this guy until now but looks like he was one of the best college WR's. Must be nice to have a tough choice on whether to play in the NFL or MLB.
I think it would've been best to play football. It is harder to make your way up and get a starting job in baseball then it is in Football, as long as you are talented at it.
The last thing I wanted was to be connected to the Cubs but only 70, 75 percent of a baseball player because of the two sports."
Ouch
SamtheBravesFan
01-20-2007, 08:32 AM
I think he made a mistake. Samardzija was one of the best wide receivers in college football, and that's how I knew his athletics. I have no idea on how talented a baseball player he is.
But, on the other hand, it IS an $8 million mistake... ;)
ironman
01-20-2007, 08:49 AM
last year he was 21-6 with a low era. After doing well in single a the cubs were ready to make him the next Prior (hopefully without the injuries). He can make up to 16.5 million in the next five years far better than any other guy coming out of college or high school
I think he made a mistake. Samardzija was one of the best wide receivers in college football, and that's how I knew his athletics. I have no idea on how talented a baseball player he is.
But, on the other hand, it IS an $8 million mistake... ;)
That is simply because college baseball is not that popular.
Samardzija's skills as a pitcher has him projected to be an ace, someday.
He would have been a first rounder last draft if... IF... the teams knew he was going to play baseball...
SamtheBravesFan
01-20-2007, 09:03 AM
That is simply because college baseball is not that popular.
Samardzija's skills as a pitcher has him projected to be an ace, someday.
He would have been a first rounder last draft if... IF... the teams knew he was going to play baseball...
I might have known more if he played in the ACC. ;)
brewcrew82
01-20-2007, 09:11 AM
Concentrating on only one sport will allow him to improve in leaps and bounds over the next season or so, which is probably a good thing for the amount they're paying him. The team will want him to progress quite quickly given the size of his contract.
Richmond Hill Phoenix
01-20-2007, 10:35 AM
The team will want him to progress quite quickly given the size of his contract.Looking at what happened to Wood and Prior, I think that they'll take their sweet time in letting him progress. They don't want to screw this guy up too. Third time's a charm!!!
StanTheMan
01-20-2007, 11:10 AM
He is a good Wide Reciever. I have watched most Notre Dame games for several seasons now. Last year, and this year, he was exceptional. Probably #5 or #6 in the country at the WR position. He would not have been a first round pick, I don't think.
Charles Johnson from Gerogia Tech, and the kid from USC who is declaring for the draft are way ahead of him, as far as wide receivers go. So is Ted Ginn from Ohio State, as Ginn can return punts and kickoffs too.
Jeff is not quite fast enough to become one of the ELITE receivers in the NFL.
Going to baseball is a good move, IMO. MUCH longer career, although the fight to get to the top level can be a long one.
He had a sub 2.50 ERA in 9 starts this year for the Cubs Single A team, and looks to be a good pitcher, with potential.
Great gamble by the Cubs, appearing to pay off with him dropping football.
cubsfan1073
01-20-2007, 11:57 AM
Major score for us Cubs fans. I saw him pitch in Regionals and he was good. He gave up four runs, but only one was earned, and he pitched eight strong innings and threw 94ish. I hope he can be a good player in the majors.
jrh31584
01-20-2007, 09:46 PM
He is a good Wide Reciever. I have watched most Notre Dame games for several seasons now. Last year, and this year, he was exceptional. Probably #5 or #6 in the country at the WR position. He would not have been a first round pick, I don't think.
Charles Johnson from Gerogia Tech, and the kid from USC who is declaring for the draft are way ahead of him, as far as wide receivers go. So is Ted Ginn from Ohio State, as Ginn can return punts and kickoffs too.
Mel Kiper had Samardzija as his #3 receiver and #14 overall. Not sure which USC you were talking about, because both have wide receivers leaving early. Kiper had both of them below Samardzija, with Jarrett at 15 and Rice at 22.
BeerBatter
01-21-2007, 04:24 AM
I saw this too and wondered. But I don't know of many pitchers who get tackled on a daily basis. At least he'll still have his knees at the age of 40.
Erik Bedard
01-22-2007, 04:57 PM
He made the right choice. If he had stuck with football, by the age of fifty (perhaps earlier), he'd be so mentally damaged from his football days that he wouldn't be able to get a job, and would have lost most of his money, and die broke and penniless. With baseball, he'll make a ton of money, and will likely be able to go live in a mansion and play golf all day. It's all about the long run.
E.Banks#14
01-22-2007, 09:02 PM
Well, getting back to the topic, Samardzija will be on the fast track to the majors. This weekend at the Cubs Convention, the plan was to have him start the season in Single-A, and possibly see some time in the 2008 rotation, but more likely 2009. Everything out of the Cubs camp is overwhelmingly positive about this kid - he's something special.
Also, with Lou as manager, don't be surprised to see him with much shorter hair come spring training. :D
SamtheBravesFan
01-22-2007, 09:03 PM
Well, getting back to the topic, Samardzija will be on the fast track to the majors. This weekend at the Cubs Convention, the plan was to have him start the season in Single-A, and possibly see some time in the 2008 rotation, but more likely 2009. Everything out of the Cubs camp is overwhelmingly positive about this kid - he's something special.
Also, with Lou as manager, don't be surprised to see him with much shorter hair come spring training. :D
Well, I wish him all the best. :)
W_Marone
01-22-2007, 09:11 PM
I don't watch college football much so I had never heard of this guy until now but looks like he was one of the best college WR's.
Yes, he was a very good reciever, got helped a lot from a guy like Brady Quinn throwing to him, I'm actually more familiar with him on a football standpoint, he should have been the wide receiver of the year not this past season but the one before it, 2005, not Charlie Haas...Robbery I say...but I hear he can hurl the ball pretty fast.
mojorisin71
01-24-2007, 06:51 PM
Let's not forget it's guaranteed money. Had he played football, he would have actually had to *gasp* earn his paycheck.
Rapmaster
01-26-2007, 11:41 AM
Yes, he was a very good reciever, got helped a lot from a guy like Brady Quinn throwing to him, I'm actually more familiar with him on a football standpoint, he should have been the wide receiver of the year not this past season but the one before it, 2005, not Charlie Haas...Robbery I say...but I hear he can hurl the ball pretty fast.
I actually think Samardzija is a great receiver. I think he helped Quinn out more than vice versa.
To the guy who said he'd be stupid and broke by the time he was 50 from the damage received in football, I don't think pitching's much better at times. Worst case scenario, he could screw up his arm real bad and will probably run into a surgery or two later on down the line.