Rays Top Ten Best Starters in Franchise History

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Scott Kazmir recorded ten strikeouts in his last game as a Rays player. Credit: adage.com

#4 Scott Kazmir – LHP – 6’0″ 185 lbs

Drafted: by the Mets in the 1st round of the 2002 draft (15th overall)

Acquired: from the Mets along with Jose Diaz in return for Bartolome Fortunato and Victor Zambrano (July 2004)

Stats

Resume among starters:

GS: 144, 3rd
IP: 834, 3rd
Wins: 55, 3rd
ERA: 3.92, 9th
SO: 874, 3rd
AVG: .246, 9th
Whip: 1.39, 12th

Kazmir was outstanding for a long time as a Rays starter, which is why it’s so surprising to have seen him fall from grace and briefly walk away from MLB before making a comeback in 2013. Plenty of people had written him off, but the same tenacity and workmanship he showed as a Rays starter allowed him to pick himself up and re-establish himself as a top of the rotation starter. His 2007 season, when he led MLB with 239 Ks, will forever be remember as his best as a Rays starter.

Next: At #3 is the current Ace of the staff...