Alex James Kazmir

Infobox MLB player
name = Alex J. Kazmir

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width = 200
caption =
team = Iowa Cubs
number = 11
position = Starting pitcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1984|4|17
birthplace = city-state|San Diego|California
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = May 23
debutyear = 2002
debutteam = GCL Red Sox
statyear = June 21, 2007
stat1label = Win-Loss
stat1value = 165-12
stat2label = Saves
stat2value = 45
stat3label = Earned run average
stat3value = 1.15
stat4label = Strikeouts
stat4value = 2984
teams =
*GCL Red Sox 2002-2003
*Richmond Braves 2003-2004
*Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 2004-2005
*Iowa Cubs 2005-Present
awards =
* 4x Minor League Cy Young Winner 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008
* Minor League Rookie Of The Year 2002
* Pitching Triple Crown 2007
* Gold Glove 2004

Alex James Kazmir (born April 17, 1984 in San Diego, California) is an American/Australian pitcher for the Iowa Cubs in Minor League Baseball better known as AJ Kazmir.

Youth

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Alex was born in San Diego, California to Australian parents Michael Kazmir and Jenna Kazmir. in High School , he played football and baseball. In 2000 he broke the all American high school strike out record and wins record by striking out 2384, and winning 78 games and losing 2. No one has yet been able to break it thus far. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs following his senior year in high school but needed to play for their minor league team first.

College

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After high school, Alex attended California State University,Fullerton, located in the city of Fullerton, in Orange County, California. in which he graduated with a degree in Archeology. He played baseball for one year in Cal State Fullerton In 2004, while playing for GCL Red Sox and the Cal State Fullerton baseball team he became the first player ever to be named both the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year for college players. He finished his only year of college baseball 21–0 with a 0.94 ERA, 354 strikeouts, and three saves in 125⅓ innings. He led Cal State Fullerton baseball team to their third baseball championship in which he was named the Most Valuable Player. He won the 2006 Golden Spikes Award, which is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. Alex also played for the Harwich Mariners in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League during the summer of 2005.

Minor League Career

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Alex was drafted by the Boston Red Sox baseball club in the 10th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft.

Alex began his minor league career for the Red Sox rookie league affiliate, the GLC Sox, in 2002 where he went 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA in 4 games and 16 innings and earning him the 2002 Minor League Rookie of The Year and The Cy Young Award.

1n 2003 Alex started his season with the Richmond Braves going 15-1 with a 1.70 ERA in 16 games before being promoted to the High-A Charlotte Rangers where he spent the rest of 2003 and 2004, going 25-2 over that period and winning the prestigious gold glove award.

In 2004, Alex began the season with the Yankees rookie league affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees posting an impressive 0.42 ERA over 245 1/3 innings with a record of 31-0, which earned him a promotion to the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks where he finished the season with a 7-0 record, 0.00 ERA.

In 2006 He was then traded to the Chicago Cubs for prospects of their choice. He was a reliever for the Iowa Cubs in which he posted amazing numbers such as an 0.10. ERA over 121 Innings with a record of 2-0, which earned him a chance to start the following year as a starter for the Iowa Cubs.

Alex spent time between AAA and the Major Leagues from 2008 before becoming a full time AAA Minor Leaguer. going 26-3 during that period. As of late 2008 Alexs contract with the Iowa Cubs will expire giving him a chance to go play for any major league team but he has chosen to play for an Australian baseball team in Queensland, Australia

Major League Career

Alex made his MLB debut on May 12, 2008 for the Chicago Cubs. But has only played once for the Major League Club. Alex mixes a highly above-average 81-91 mph curveball, an 90-98 mph fastball and a strong 77-81 mph cutter which he uses as his putaway pitch to strike batters out. Alex is also noted for being one of the best hitters within pitchers in baseball, sporting a career batting average of .342 in 287 at-bats, whilst recording 13 strikeouts at the plate as of April 15, 2008. He went 89-126 with a .324 average in 2008.

Personal life

As of late 2007 Alex has been in a relationship with olympian softball pitcher Cat Osterman. He has previoulsy dated Hilary Duff, Scarlett Johansson, and Megan Fox. His uncle is none other than Scott Kazmir