A hard-throwing left-hander from Texas, Scott Kazmir was a prized prospect in the Mets organization, selected in the first round of the 2002 amateur draft. When the Mets needed immediate pitching help, they dealt Kazmir to the Devil Rays just before the July trade deadline in 2004. Within three weeks, the soutpaw was in the big league rotation for Tampa Bay. As a 21-year old, Kazmir won 10 games and was the Devil Rays ace in '05, and seemed set to establish himself as one of the game's best young pitchers in 2006.
Teams Scott Kazmir Played For
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004-2005)
Best Season: 2006 Through ten starts in 2006, 22-year old Kazmir was 7-2 with a 2.39 ERA. He was emerging as one of the AL's best lefties, and the undeniable ace of Tampa Bay's staff.
Factoids On September 14, 2004, at 20 years, eight months, 21 days, Scott Kazmir of the Devil Rays became the youngest southpaw to beat the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park since Hal Newhouser did it for the Detroit Tigers on August 3, 1941, at the age of 20 years, two months, 13 days
Born Scott E. Kazmir was born on January 24, 1984, in Houston, TX.
Batted: Left Threw: Left
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: TBA
College: None
Major League Debut August 23, 2004 ... Was just 20 years and seven months old when he debuted. He earned a victory after five shutout innings against the Mariners. The first batter he faced was Ichiro Suzuki.
Related Players Kazmir's pitching coach with the Binghamton Mets was Jerry Reuss... Kazmir broke Josh Beckett's Texas state high school strikeout record.
The Pitches He Threw A quality fastball, slider and changeup.
Notes Was named the nation's High School Player of the Year in 2002 by Baseball America.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time Kazmir started the 2008 season on the disabled list with a strained left elbow, returning in early May.
Transactions Traded to the Devil Rays on July 30, 2004, from the New York Mets, along with RHP Jose Diaz in exchange for RHP Victor Zambrano and RHP Bartolome Fortunato.
