BOSTON (Ticker) -- It is rare to find a lefthanded pitcher who throws in the mid to upper 90s. Scott Kazmir is that type of talent.
The 19-year-old had one of the most prolific high school careers in the history of the state of Texas. He posted an 11-2 record and a 0.37 ERA at Cypress Falls High School in Houston. He surrendered just 19 hits and 19 walks and struck out 172 batters over 75 innings in his senior year. The performance earned him Baseball America's High School Player of the Year award.
Kazmir tossed four consecutive no-hitters his junior season and had a pair of one-hit, 19 strikeout performances as a senior.
The 6-0, 170 pound Kazmir signed with the Mets for a club-record $2.15 million bonus after being the 15th player selected in the 2002 draft. He was assigned to the Brooklyn Cyclones in the short season Class A the New York-Penn League and allowed just two runs -- one earned -- over 18 innings in five starts with the Cyclones.
This season the southpaw has been with the Capital City Bombers of the South Atlantic League. Through July 15, Kazmir was 4-3 with a 2.14 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings.
Q: How is this season going for you so far?
A: Good, I'm learning a lot of stuff. You know, I'm just getting my feet wet, going through a full season and everything, it's tough.
Q: What is the biggest adjustment that you've had to make so far this year?
A: Well, I've been working on quicker strides to the plate. That's mainly what I'm working on here. It's kind of hard getting into that after all my life having a high leg kick and I have to adjust, but it's coming along.
Q: I noticed you've been kept to a low pitch count in a lot of your starts this year. Has that been frustrating at all for you?
A: A little bit, but I completely understand what's going on with the situation and everything and actually the last couple of starts I've been given a higher pitch count. I'm just working my way up a little.
Q: Before you go out there on the mound do they tell you "this is your pitch count for the day?"
A: Pretty much, I pretty much know it. Right after my start they let me know if they are going to pump it up a little bit more or just keep it the same. It's not like I know that day of the game. I know it a little bit in advance.
Q: I've heard some talk about you being a closer somewhere down the road. What do you think about that? Where do you see yourself?
A: I don't know. I hope to be a starter. That's my dream. Whatever the organization wants me to do. I've read that a couple of times, but I'm not going to really think about that right now.
Q: You are obviously pitching really well right now. Do you think about getting promoted? Is that something that goes through your mind?
A: It always goes through my mind. It goes through everybody's mind, basically. I'm happy here and doing what I can here and hoping for the best. Wherever the organization wants me to be that's probably the right spot for me.
Q: Can I take you back to draft day last year. What were you going through that day?
A: I was at my house and it was kind of weird. As the draft goes on and they're naming out people and the next team that's picking, I'm thinking alright that's my new favorite team and it just kept going on and on and on.
Q: Did you hear any rumors before the draft as to where you might go?
A: A little bit, but I'm not worried about that because I don't think I could be in a better spot than I am in right now.
Q: You got a pretty nice signing bonus when you signed, the largest ever in Mets history. Have you done anything with the money yet?
A: All I've done so far is a car and pay off my parent’s houses. That's pretty much it. I'm saving the rest.
Q: After you signed you headed off to Brooklyn for a little while. What was that like?
A: That was probably the best experience I've ever had. The fans were just so passionate. Everything was a little bit overwhelming. I didn't expect that going to the short season and everything, coming out to a park like that. It was pretty neat.
Q: You were named the high school player of the year last season. Did they do a ceremony for you?
A: Yeah, it was held at the owner's meetings in a hotel. It was a great honor. Harold Reynolds and Peter Gammons were the hosts. It was pretty cool.
Q: What is your favorite baseball movie?
A: Major League.
Q: Any reason for that?
A: It's just hilarious. Going through spring training wondering if stuff like that would actually happen. And now I've been through that.
Q: Do you have a deadline for yourself as to when you want to make it to the majors?
A: I have a goal for when I want to make it and everything, but I don't really have an exact date, but in terms of that I'm just working really hard.
------------------
"Solo homers usually come with no one on base." ~Ralph Kiner
Re: Minor League Baseball.com Q & A With Scott Kazmir...
Kaz made his first appearance for St. Lucie this week. Six innings, couple of hits, no runs, five K's. I'm not sure if their keeping it quiet on purpose, but I know that Port Saint "Snoozie," isn't exactly a party town, and the local paper didn't even mention that he started the game. Not that it would be a bad thing.....
------------------
"Solo homers usually come with no one on base." ~Ralph Kiner
Minor League Baseball.com Q & A With Scott Kazmir....
O & A ALWAYS WIN IN THE END
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies