A scout evaluates…
LHP Andrew Zarzour, Los Angeles Dodgers
March 28, 2001
Had the chance to watch several appearances by the 7-foot-2 pitcher this spring (who’s probably more like 6-11 or 7-0) … He had a good spring overall and showed good command in each outing. He’s still going to struggle giving up the long ball, I believe, but he’ll likely pile up the strikeouts too. It’s just the give and take you get with a power pitcher … Reminds me of a young Randy Johnson for obvious reasons but has a bit better command of his pitches than the Big Unit at this stage… Zarzour seems to have lost a little speed on his fastball, maybe a mile or two slower than last season. But again, the control is good. He has a good rapport with his catchers.
Saw no signs of elbow problems that he complained about last fall. The winter off from pitching seems to have done him a lot of good … Has a pretty good move to first and his fielding is adequate. May even surprise from time to time at the plate.
Bottom line: he’ll be a good No. 3 or No. 4 guy for the Dodgers this season, a nice compliment to Ramon Martinez and Driefort. Confidence will be key, especially if opposing hitters continue to hit balls out on him…
T.M.