{"playerId":2009,"percentChange":0,"averageDraftPosition":149.6,"percentOwned":100,"playerRaterSEASON":3.4,"playerRater7DAY":3.7,"mostRecentNews":{"news":"Samardzija (2-5) was dominant on the mound Wednesday, going eight strong innings while giving up two runs on five hits and striking out seven against the Rockies.","spin":"Aside from a pinch-hit homer from Reid Brignac, Samardzija held the Rockies in check Wednesday. He even contributed with his bat, hitting his first home run of the season in the second inning. This was Samardzija's best outing since his dominant Opening Day performance; coincidentally, it was his first win since that game. With the Cubs slated to have two days off in the coming week, Samardzija's next start won't come until next Wednesday against Pittsburgh.","date":"Wed May 15"},"fullName":"Jeff Samardzija","seasonOutlook":{"outlook":"Samardzija, a two-sport star with Notre Dame, finally put forth a season in 2012 that justified his choice of baseball (over football) as a career. Following a successful year in relief, he was transitioned back to the rotation, resulting in a surprisingly healthy number of strikeouts (180, with a 9.27 K's-per-nine ratio that ranked fourth best in the game) and a 3.09 ERA in his first 10 starts. Having been tasked with professional highs in starts (28) and innings pitched (174 2/3), Samardzija tired somewhat around midseason, but he finished the year on a high note, with a 2.58 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 11 second-half starts before being shut down for the year in early September. It was the addition of a splitter -- it was responsible for 100 of his 180 K's and limited foes to a .128 batting average -- that spawned Samardzija's breakthrough, and supports his candidacy for another step forward statistically in 2013. You could make both a pro and con argument: He could be capable of a larger workload this season, just as his 86 2/3-inning bump from 2011 to 2012 might come back to haunt him. But with his strikeout ability and rapidly improving command, we're optimistic about his chances.","seasonId":2013,"date":"Wed Feb 20"},"playerRater30DAY":1.3,"playerRater15DAY":0.8,"positionRank":44}