2004 Draft Preview (Cont'd) - Scott Kazmir

Drafted as a 18 year old (see photo at left) in 2002, Scott Kazmir led all minor league starting pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings (11.94) in 2003......Had 145 strikeouts in 109.1 innings...Also was 5th in batting average against (.202)...Named the 11th best prospect in all of minor league baseball by Baseball America...Had a then career-high 11 strikeouts (in 5 innings) June 14, 2003 vs. Savannah (Expos) while pitching for Capital City...Made 2 postseason appearances in 2003...was 1-0 and didn't allow a run in 9.1 innings (SO-12) to help lead Port St. Lucie to the Florida State League championship...Was the winning pitcher in the FSL title clinching game on Sep 9 at Dunedin....Kazmir figures to be a high first round draft pick to a patient manager.