Carlos Zambrano is a true "Wild Card" heading into the season. Signed by the Cubs as a Free Agent in 1997, Zambrano appeared in his first MLB game on August 20, 2001 at the tender age of 20. In 2002 "Z" bounced between starting games and relief. In 2003 he was a mainstay in the rotation starting 32 games winning 13. Carlos was named a N.L. All-Star in '04, '06 & '08. Known as a good hitting pitcher, Zambrano earned Silver Slugger Awards in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and has 21 career homers. On Sept. 14, 2008 "Z" threw a No-Hitter versus the Houston Astros. Uniquely the game was played at a neutral site Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. 2010 was a struggle for the big RHP but he did finish the year on an 8-0 run with a 1.41 ERA over that span.
Joakim Soria is a classic "could have been a ____" At the age of 16 the Dodgers signed him as a Free Agent. Released by L.A. in 2005 he was signed by the S.D. Padres. Unprotected by the Padres the K.C. Royals nabbed him in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft. Pitching for the Royals in 2007 eventually won the job as their closer and saved 17 games. Joakim opened 2008 with 13 consecutive saves and was chosen to the A.L. All-Star team. Soria finished '08 with 42 saves. In 2009 Joakim saved 30 games in 33 opportunities. In 2010 Soria saved a career high 43 games and received his second All-Star selection. Joakim has a good mixture of pitches and despite not overpowering hitters with a fastball, he still has averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings over his major league career.
Carlos Zambrano is a true "Wild Card" heading into the season. Signed by the Cubs as a Free Agent in 1997, Zambrano appeared in his first MLB game on August 20, 2001 at the tender age of 20. In 2002 "Z" bounced between starting games and relief. In 2003 he was a mainstay in the rotation starting 32 games winning 13. Carlos was named a N.L. All-Star in '04, '06 & '08. Known as a good hitting pitcher, Zambrano earned Silver Slugger Awards in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and has 21 career homers. On Sept. 14, 2008 "Z" threw a No-Hitter versus the Houston Astros. Uniquely the game was played at a neutral site Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike. 2010 was a struggle for the big RHP but he did finish the year on an 8-0 run with a 1.41 ERA over that span.
Joakim Soria is a classic "could have been a ____" At the age of 16 the Dodgers signed him as a Free Agent. Released by L.A. in 2005 he was signed by the S.D. Padres. Unprotected by the Padres the K.C. Royals nabbed him in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft. Pitching for the Royals in 2007 eventually won the job as their closer and saved 17 games. Joakim opened 2008 with 13 consecutive saves and was chosen to the A.L. All-Star team. Soria finished '08 with 42 saves. In 2009 Joakim saved 30 games in 33 opportunities. In 2010 Soria saved a career high 43 games and received his second All-Star selection. Joakim has a good mixture of pitches and despite not overpowering hitters with a fastball, he still has averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings over his major league career.
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