{"playerId":2009,"percentChange":0,"averageDraftPosition":149.6,"percentOwned":100,"playerRaterSEASON":4.2,"playerRater7DAY":2.9,"mostRecentNews":{"news":"Samardzija (2-6) turned in a solid performance Wednesday, going seven strong and striking out eight, but ultimately ended up being the tough luck loser in the 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh.","spin":"The Cubs continue to struggle to score runs for their ace. Samardzija has just two wins to his name despite carrying a 3.25 ERA on the year. Despite the lack of wins, he has proven to be a valuable fantasy pitcher this season. His 10.18 K/9 rate is among the best in the league and his ERA is right on par with his FIP (3.18), indicating that he should continue his success going forward. His next start comes on the road against the White Sox next Monday.","date":"Wed May 22"},"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":2.5,"playerRater15DAY":3.7,"positionRank":30}