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  6. article_body => "<p>Back on Nov. 10, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow explained how <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/giants\/krukow-project-samardzija-would-grow-under-giants-staff\"><strong>Jeff Samardzija would grow as a pitcher<\/strong><\/a> if he signed with the Giants as a free agent.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps Samardzija was listening.<\/p>\n<p>The soon-to-be 31-year old <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbayarea.com\/giants\/giants-jeff-samardzija-agree-terms-five-year-deal\"><strong>signed a 5-year, $90 million contract with the Giants<\/strong><\/a> on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n<p>On Monday morning, Krukow weighed in.<\/p>\n<p>\"I love the athleticism of Samardzija. I think that there's a big ceiling with him in how he can improve as a pitcher,\" <a href=\"http:\/\/www.knbr.com\/all-knbr-podcasts\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Krukow explained again on <em>KNBR 680-AM<\/em>.<\/strong><\/a> \"For the most part in his career he's existed as pretty much a thrower. He's gonna try and 'out-stuff' you. And he can do it because his stuff is way above normal.<\/p>\n<p>\"Now you get him around Dave Righetti and Mark Gardner and all of a sudden you're gonna start to see some polish from this guy, where he has four pitches or five movements that he can throw -- now it's a matter of being able to throw them in the right moment, to identify situations, to learn swing types, to be able to polish off what he has.\"<\/p>\n<p>Samardzija played both football and baseball at Notre Dame.<\/p>\n<p>As a sophomore in 2005, he went 8-1 with a 3.89 ERA over 15 appearances (10 starts). Later that calendar year (as a junior), he&nbsp;caught 77 passes for 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>In 2006, he went 8-2 with a 4.33 ERA over 15 starts, and was drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in the 2006 draft.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>He only signed with Chicago after the franchise allowed him to play his senior season of football. Samardzija went on to catch 78 passes for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns, and then turned his attention to a career in the big leagues.<\/p>\n<p>\"He's as good an athlete as there is in the league,\" Krukow said. \"I believe that because of his athleticism he can add to his repertoire, he can learn more about what he has, he can learn more about the intricacies of pitching.<\/p>\n<p>\"He's a prety durable athlete, he's kind of like Madison Bumgarner in that he has strength above the norm.\"<\/p>\n<p>Samardzija is listed 6'5\", 225 pounds. Bumgarner clocks in at 6'5\", 235 pounds.<\/p>\n<p>Samardzija's average fastball velocity in 2015 was 94.3 mph, while Bumgarner's was 92.1 mph.<\/p>\n<p>But Bumgarner went 18-9 with a 2.93 ERA, while Samardzjia struggled to the tune of 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, Krukow is optimistic the \"Shark\" will thrive in San Francisco.<\/p>\n<p>\"I like the deal. I've always liked the guy,\" Krukow said. \"I've always thought he was kind of a project still. So it will be a very interesting relationship to watch him with the Giants' pitching coaches, and I think Righetti is gonna do a great job with him.\"<br><br><\/p>\n"
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Giants

Giants

Back on Nov. 10, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow explained how Jeff Samardzija would grow as a pitcher if he signed with the Giants as a free agent.

Perhaps Samardzija was listening.

The soon-to-be 31-year old signed a 5-year, $90 million contract with the Giants on Saturday morning.

On Monday morning, Krukow weighed in.

"I love the athleticism of Samardzija. I think that there's a big ceiling with him in how he can improve as a pitcher," Krukow explained again on KNBR 680-AM. "For the most part in his career he's existed as pretty much a thrower. He's gonna try and 'out-stuff' you. And he can do it because his stuff is way above normal.

"Now you get him around Dave Righetti and Mark Gardner and all of a sudden you're gonna start to see some polish from this guy, where he has four pitches or five movements that he can throw -- now it's a matter of being able to throw them in the right moment, to identify situations, to learn swing types, to be able to polish off what he has."

Samardzija played both football and baseball at Notre Dame.

As a sophomore in 2005, he went 8-1 with a 3.89 ERA over 15 appearances (10 starts). Later that calendar year (as a junior), he caught 77 passes for 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns.

 

In 2006, he went 8-2 with a 4.33 ERA over 15 starts, and was drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in the 2006 draft. 

He only signed with Chicago after the franchise allowed him to play his senior season of football. Samardzija went on to catch 78 passes for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns, and then turned his attention to a career in the big leagues.

"He's as good an athlete as there is in the league," Krukow said. "I believe that because of his athleticism he can add to his repertoire, he can learn more about what he has, he can learn more about the intricacies of pitching.

"He's a prety durable athlete, he's kind of like Madison Bumgarner in that he has strength above the norm."

Samardzija is listed 6'5", 225 pounds. Bumgarner clocks in at 6'5", 235 pounds.

Samardzija's average fastball velocity in 2015 was 94.3 mph, while Bumgarner's was 92.1 mph.

But Bumgarner went 18-9 with a 2.93 ERA, while Samardzjia struggled to the tune of 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA.

Nonetheless, Krukow is optimistic the "Shark" will thrive in San Francisco.

"I like the deal. I've always liked the guy," Krukow said. "I've always thought he was kind of a project still. So it will be a very interesting relationship to watch him with the Giants' pitching coaches, and I think Righetti is gonna do a great job with him."