Scott Kazmir

Alexei Ramirez launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning against the Angels' Scott Kazmir, letting the Angels know that the 11-run shutout game against the Royals the night before was over.  A phenomenal warning track diving catch by White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin moments earlier brought a standing ovation to Chicago that would pull the White Sox for the early portion of Monday evening's game.

It wasn’t B.J. Upton’s fault.

That’s because the young center fielder wasn’t in the starting lineup.

While Angels’ southpaw Scott Kazmir struggled with a 7.20 and 5.97 ERA in April and May respectively, the 26-year-old has seemingly salvaged his season with a deceiving June.

In 23 innings (four starts) this month, Kazmir is 4-0 with a 2.35 ERA. What most fail to see is his 1.35 WHIP and 13/15 K/BB ratio, both of which raise red flags.

The new baseball season has not been kind to Scott Kazmir.

After beginning the season on the DL, his first start of the season came against the defending champion, New York Yankees.

Previously, I wrote that there was a possibility that Kazmir, once so hyped, full of potential, had reached his athletic peak.

What I’m Reading

• Pedro Martinez is still out there. He’s available. He even threw a side session at Fenway on Opening Day. What’s in store for his future , though?

Scott Kazmir, it seems, has been around forever.

Moneyball introduced the world to Kazmir, and he since has been at the head of the class.

Chosen 15th overall by the New York Mets and then signing for $2.15 million allowed Billy Beane to select Nick Swisher.

Kazmir went on to lead the resurgent Tampa Bay Rays into their lone playoff appearance as the “veteran” ace of the staff.

It appears that being the ace in your early 20s comes with its problems.

Update

The Angels placed Kazmir on the 15-day DL yesterday. Kazmir pitched five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, so this appears to be just a precaution.

Kazmir will use the time he will miss to build stamina in his shoulder. He will make two minor league starts and if all goes well he will rejoin the Angels for their April 13th series against the New York Yankees.

Matt Palmer will take Kazmir’s spot in the rotation.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Scott Kazmir was scratched from his start on Thursday against the Texas Rangers because of a stiff throwing shoulder.

In other words, Kazmir is hurt.

Here are some other things are that are guaranteed to happen:

As I continue to fine-tune my pitching projections, there is a major shakeup in the rankings.  Names like Yovani Gallardo, Ubaldo Jimenez and Javier Vazquez saw a major change in their rankings from the first time around. 

Let’s take a look at how things currently stand, but again keep in mind that these still have plenty of room to change as draft day grows closer.

For a franchise that has managed one post season in their 12 year history, the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly known as the Devil Rays) do not possess an all time roster filled with hall of famers.

However, during the last decade, the Rays definitely have fielded some talented players that deserve recognition for being among the best the franchise has had to offer.

While many players deserved consideration for this list.